I don't know Martin, and I would guess he's big enough and ugly enough to answer this for himself. I have asked him for the information and from what I can see he is offering to provide a complete service from start to finish to advise us on how to go about getting into this line of work. He also sent me his prices, and he can be hired out on a daily basis if you need him. Of course his daily rate is high, but if you could get into this with his help the price becomes very low, and I would think after the initial starting period you wouldn't need his services much in the future, so pro rata his rates become very good value for money.
Anyone can do a risk assessment, and many people on this board are using others or slightly different variations, as you know there isn't a 'correct' risk assessment, its down to the assessor and what he sees. I am guessing you'd be with Martin during this process and would write it up as your own anyway. Health & Safety Policies can be bought off the internet and there are many cd roms available to create your own, therefore I don't see Martinhelping would be illegal in any way as long as it was followed. My guess would be he already had one in place and is offering the use of his, which has already been used, assessed and passed by the construction companies he is doing work for now. No harm in that surely.
I would think this is a long term project for him, most people who now know he is offering this service wouldn't need it straight away would they. I'm interested in his services, but won't need them for another 6 months or so and anyone else who is thinking of using him would probably be in the same boat.
I think the bottom line is, he has been successful in what he has done so far, knows the industry inside out, and knows exactly what he is doing when it comes to management, cleaning , tenders, payment etc and is offering to help others. Of course he cannot offer a guarentee the work will be yours, but he can show you what you'd need to do in the future to keep on trying and at least give you a fighting chance of getting it, personally I don't have a clue when it comes to builders cleans and tenders and if I was going in cold I would probably vastly under rate the costings or vastly over rate them, both of course would be detrimental to the business, with Martins help the pricing structure would be in place for you and from what I've read, he knows how to charge
I think what he is offering is a fantastic hands on service, if you want to set your own up then there is nothing to stop you. Its all about the confidence you have in what you are doing , how you interact with people and having the time, commitment, brains and inclination to put it into action.
Are you worried he is going to create some serious competition to you?
Best of luck to Martin in his new venture, and best of luck to you if you if you follow his lead and set up your own.
