[Positivity]

Working through a contract for a Property Management co.
Fly in the ointment is "What if you're sick?" As a sole trader they say I need a contingency plan to continue service.
They are talking about me employing or sub-contracting I'm not really ready for that  plus I haven't priced for employing anyone.
What is involved in sub-contracting legally etc...? this is probably easier than employing.
Can't see how it's sensible to take on an employee just in case I get sick.
 

[SunShineCleaning]

I do this for a mate. He was in Bulgaria last week so I covered his cleans. He pays me as a subcontractor. No problem. Just find a friend who can cover the work when you are away.  His invoice to you is an expense.

[LBWCS]

I do this for a mate. He was in Bulgaria last week so I covered his cleans. He pays me as a subcontractor. No problem. Just find a friend who can cover the work when you are away.  His invoice to you is an expense.

Yes this is the best solution really. Just tell them you work in partnership with another local company who offers the same service and would be briefed if any holidays / sickness occurred.

[Positivity]

Would employer's liability insurance cover me for a sub-contractor?
I asked if I got a mate to cover for me would that be O.K. but they say his own public liability wouldn't cover him for the contract that I hold

[George P]

you need sub contract insurance yourself (not sure what its called), but tell your insurance what you may be doing and ask for a quote,

[George P]

Would employer's liability insurance cover me for a sub-contractor?

no, not on its own,

[paul13]

Could anyone give me a rough Idea
of the rate paid to a subcontractor?

[George P]

it varies, you will hear on here it could be any thing from 50% upto about 80%, when we sub out if we get a decent price we give subbies a good price, simple as that really,

[SunShineCleaning]

Just out of interest what is the difference between your insurance and your mates insurance?
And how does the contractor know his won't be sufficient?

I would caution against using anyone who doesn't have their own PLI as they may also not know what they are doing!


As for payment, you pay whatever is needed if its an emergency cover.
If it is a regular arrangement you pay whatever you feel retains the service.

[George P]

Just out of interest what is the difference between your insurance and your mates insurance?
And how does the contractor know his won't be sufficient?

 you still have to have PLI if your subbing out, , but you also still need to have the subbies insurance policy, not sure of differance, contractor knows that unless you have a insurance for youre subbies it wont be enough as standard practice in window cleaning, we sub some work in and the companies still need to see our insurance as well as having subby insurance themselfs


I would caution against using anyone who doesn't have their own PLI as they may also not know what they are doing!

good point, although there are probably alot who dont have PLI that have been doing it years, and more experianced than someone just starting out, so potentially less chance of accident??, PLI & subby insurance is to cover you back should something go wrong,

[SunShineCleaning]

Every days a school day.

I wasn't aware that you needed subbie insurance as well as the subbie having their own.

I wonder how many do that?

[wfp master]

I do this for a mate. He was in Bulgaria last week so I covered his cleans. He pays me as a subcontractor. No problem. Just find a friend who can cover the work when you are away.  His invoice to you is an expense.

simple way to do it. thats what i do if going on holidays get a mate who knows what they are doing.