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Stoots

  • Posts: 6211
Salary for employee
« on: January 09, 2023, 09:19:32 pm »
I'm giving this employing thing another go.

I've recently took on too much work I have about 80k a year on my books, I'm miles behind and can't keep up.

I was looking for someone part time before Christmas 3 days a week, i actually found someone and he was a good worker but he wanted more hours and he didnt drive so weve agreed to call it quits . Ive come to realise I would be  better off with a guy out on his own it's much better profit and means i dont have to be stuck in a van with them or relied upon to drive.

In the past I've tended to try and pay as little as possible but not expect much in return

I was thinking over offering a salary somewhere between 25 and 30k ?

Any thoughts on salary level from employers ?

I would want them doing a minimum 300 and ideally 350 a day.



Splash & dash

  • Posts: 4364
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #1 on: January 09, 2023, 09:43:12 pm »
I'm giving this employing thing another go.

I've recently took on too much work I have about 80k a year on my books, I'm miles behind and can't keep up.

I was looking for someone part time before Christmas 3 days a week, i actually found someone and he was a good worker but he wanted more hours and he didnt drive so weve agreed to call it quits . Ive come to realise I would be  better off with a guy out on his own it's much better profit and means i dont have to be stuck in a van with them or relied upon to drive.

In the past I've tended to try and pay as little as possible but not expect much in return

I was thinking over offering a salary somewhere between 25 and 30k ?

Any thoughts on salary level from employers ?

I would want them doing a minimum 300 and ideally 350 a day.


You will need to go past  the VAT limit  by a fair bit quickly to make it worth while , as for wages I would suggest a basic wage then offer incentives  if xx is done give them a bonus or a % of the extra work done but if there are complaints then they loose the bonus or a % of it . 25 k I would suggest a good starting point after they have proved themselves, we always take ones on on a 3 month trial then they get a pay rise .

Stoots

  • Posts: 6211
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #2 on: January 09, 2023, 10:03:09 pm »
I'm giving this employing thing another go.

I've recently took on too much work I have about 80k a year on my books, I'm miles behind and can't keep up.

I was looking for someone part time before Christmas 3 days a week, i actually found someone and he was a good worker but he wanted more hours and he didnt drive so weve agreed to call it quits . Ive come to realise I would be  better off with a guy out on his own it's much better profit and means i dont have to be stuck in a van with them or relied upon to drive.

In the past I've tended to try and pay as little as possible but not expect much in return

I was thinking over offering a salary somewhere between 25 and 30k ?

Any thoughts on salary level from employers ?

I would want them doing a minimum 300 and ideally 350 a day.


You will need to go past  the VAT limit  by a fair bit quickly to make it worth while , as for wages I would suggest a basic wage then offer incentives  if xx is done give them a bonus or a % of the extra work done but if there are complaints then they loose the bonus or a % of it . 25 k I would suggest a good starting point after they have proved themselves, we always take ones on on a 3 month trial then they get a pay rise .


So my thinking was to get someone on board for a fair few months and get them up to speed before I thought about going over vat. If I paid someone 25k that would leave about 55 to 60k after their salary and other employee expenses which would be plenty for me for now. (I would make up the shortfall in turnover up to the vat threshold which would mean me probably working 1 day a week on average)

Do you mean 25k after a trial period or before ?

That's about 12 quid an hour I think that's reasonable in my area min wage will be 10.50 in April.


NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #3 on: January 09, 2023, 10:08:49 pm »
Don’t underestimate how much worse off you’ll be
m8 if you could guarantee the weather and being able to get done what you needed to then yes it’s worth it,maybe.
If you employ properly every day they have off and you pay them regardless the next day you have to pay them 2 days before you break even + fuel etc,if I went out 2 handed in 1 van and earned 350-400 it wouldn’t be enough I would feel I was making a loss  i could easily do that alone at a canter.
You need to get them in a separate vehicle as soon as to make them earn you money,forget the numbers I don’t know what kind of work you have is it small houses that doesn’t mind who turns up etc because if you have the opposite it can be a real struggle as I’ve experienced.

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2023, 10:12:24 pm »
25k a year you will still need money in the bank m8 don’t underestimate it you will be constantly paying out and a few months is not enough for someone to be cleaning windows lol,someone that’s been doing the job 2 or so years can still be S**t and doesn’t listen trust me.

Splash & dash

  • Posts: 4364
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2023, 10:14:01 pm »
I'm giving this employing thing another go.

I've recently took on too much work I have about 80k a year on my books, I'm miles behind and can't keep up.

I was looking for someone part time before Christmas 3 days a week, i actually found someone and he was a good worker but he wanted more hours and he didnt drive so weve agreed to call it quits . Ive come to realise I would be  better off with a guy out on his own it's much better profit and means i dont have to be stuck in a van with them or relied upon to drive.

In the past I've tended to try and pay as little as possible but not expect much in return

I was thinking over offering a salary somewhere between 25 and 30k ?

Any thoughts on salary level from employers ?

I would want them doing a minimum 300 and ideally 350 a day.


You will need to go past  the VAT limit  by a fair bit quickly to make it worth while , as for wages I would suggest a basic wage then offer incentives  if xx is done give them a bonus or a % of the extra work done but if there are complaints then they loose the bonus or a % of it . 25 k I would suggest a good starting point after they have proved themselves, we always take ones on on a 3 month trial then they get a pay rise .


So my thinking was to get someone on board for a fair few months and get them up to speed before I thought about going over vat. If I paid someone 25k that would leave about 55 to 60k after their salary and other employee expenses which would be plenty for me for now. (I would make up the shortfall in turnover up to the vat threshold which would mean me probably working 1 day a week on average)

Do you mean 25k after a trial period or before ?

That's about 12 quid an hour I think that's reasonable in my area min wage will be 10.50 in April.


Yes 25k after the 3 month trial period if we keep them on , again I feel the interview stage needs to be thought out carefully  this should weed out the time wasters , bone idle , and those wanting to get above average wages for the area , it’s difficult for  them to keep up a pretence for that long

Stoots

  • Posts: 6211
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2023, 10:20:49 pm »
Don’t underestimate how much worse off you’ll be
m8 if you could guarantee the weather and being able to get done what you needed to then yes it’s worth it,maybe.
If you employ properly every day they have off and you pay them regardless the next day you have to pay them 2 days before you break even + fuel etc,if I went out 2 handed in 1 van and earned 350-400 it wouldn’t be enough I would feel I was making a loss  i could easily do that alone at a canter.
You need to get them in a separate vehicle as soon as to make them earn you money,forget the numbers I don’t know what kind of work you have is it small houses that doesn’t mind who turns up etc because if you have the opposite it can be a real struggle as I’ve experienced.

That's why I've binned the 2 in a van idea off.

At best I could do 450 to 500 a day if I worked till 4pm. I could probably do at least 350 on my own if I worked till 4. So for the little extra by the time youve paid them it's not worth it plus being in a van with someone all day isn't that much fun. You get in each others way, one of you ends up not doing much at times, can't have a slash in peace and have to listen to someone else munching their dinner. Nah unless it's a mate it's not great. I did have a lad once who I got on with well and enjoyed it but the rest of them OK at best.

I would want someone out on their own. I would work to cover them for holidays or sickness and help catch up when bad weather.

Mine are all small houses which is how I like it.

Stoots

  • Posts: 6211
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2023, 10:21:47 pm »
I'm giving this employing thing another go.

I've recently took on too much work I have about 80k a year on my books, I'm miles behind and can't keep up.

I was looking for someone part time before Christmas 3 days a week, i actually found someone and he was a good worker but he wanted more hours and he didnt drive so weve agreed to call it quits . Ive come to realise I would be  better off with a guy out on his own it's much better profit and means i dont have to be stuck in a van with them or relied upon to drive.

In the past I've tended to try and pay as little as possible but not expect much in return

I was thinking over offering a salary somewhere between 25 and 30k ?

Any thoughts on salary level from employers ?

I would want them doing a minimum 300 and ideally 350 a day.


You will need to go past  the VAT limit  by a fair bit quickly to make it worth while , as for wages I would suggest a basic wage then offer incentives  if xx is done give them a bonus or a % of the extra work done but if there are complaints then they loose the bonus or a % of it . 25 k I would suggest a good starting point after they have proved themselves, we always take ones on on a 3 month trial then they get a pay rise .


So my thinking was to get someone on board for a fair few months and get them up to speed before I thought about going over vat. If I paid someone 25k that would leave about 55 to 60k after their salary and other employee expenses which would be plenty for me for now. (I would make up the shortfall in turnover up to the vat threshold which would mean me probably working 1 day a week on average)

Do you mean 25k after a trial period or before ?

That's about 12 quid an hour I think that's reasonable in my area min wage will be 10.50 in April.


Yes 25k after the 3 month trial period if we keep them on , again I feel the interview stage needs to be thought out carefully  this should weed out the time wasters , bone idle , and those wanting to get above average wages for the area , it’s difficult for  them to keep up a pretence for that long

OK so the initial trial period would probably be paid at minimum wage ?

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2023, 10:26:37 pm »
When you realise you have to work every single day because they have to be with you etc you may think again,on paper it all looks easy Stoots even if you have the work but wet weeks days off sick van going in for repairs it all adds up I had a 2k van bill last month still  wages to pay and my bills etc,if you think you’ll be earning money off the bat you’ll be disappointed.
And I’m lucky coz I have a rich wife.
🤣🤣🤣

Splash & dash

  • Posts: 4364
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2023, 10:44:12 pm »
I'm giving this employing thing another go.

I've recently took on too much work I have about 80k a year on my books, I'm miles behind and can't keep up.

I was looking for someone part time before Christmas 3 days a week, i actually found someone and he was a good worker but he wanted more hours and he didnt drive so weve agreed to call it quits . Ive come to realise I would be  better off with a guy out on his own it's much better profit and means i dont have to be stuck in a van with them or relied upon to drive.

In the past I've tended to try and pay as little as possible but not expect much in return

I was thinking over offering a salary somewhere between 25 and 30k ?

Any thoughts on salary level from employers ?

I would want them doing a minimum 300 and ideally 350 a day.


You will need to go past  the VAT limit  by a fair bit quickly to make it worth while , as for wages I would suggest a basic wage then offer incentives  if xx is done give them a bonus or a % of the extra work done but if there are complaints then they loose the bonus or a % of it . 25 k I would suggest a good starting point after they have proved themselves, we always take ones on on a 3 month trial then they get a pay rise .


So my thinking was to get someone on board for a fair few months and get them up to speed before I thought about going over vat. If I paid someone 25k that would leave about 55 to 60k after their salary and other employee expenses which would be plenty for me for now. (I would make up the shortfall in turnover up to the vat threshold which would mean me probably working 1 day a week on average)

Do you mean 25k after a trial period or before ?

That's about 12 quid an hour I think that's reasonable in my area min wage will be 10.50 in April.


Yes 25k after the 3 month trial period if we keep them on , again I feel the interview stage needs to be thought out carefully  this should weed out the time wasters , bone idle , and those wanting to get above average wages for the area , it’s difficult for  them to keep up a pretence for that long

OK so the initial trial period would probably be paid at minimum wage ?

What ever you think is best

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2023, 11:09:27 pm »
Which ever way you do it make sure you have plenty in the bank  for expenses you “will” need it,the hardest part out of all of it is getting the right person-people they can bugger up a business in a matter of weeks.   

Splash & dash

  • Posts: 4364
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2023, 11:32:11 pm »
Don’t underestimate how much worse off you’ll be
m8 if you could guarantee the weather and being able to get done what you needed to then yes it’s worth it,maybe.
If you employ properly every day they have off and you pay them regardless the next day you have to pay them 2 days before you break even + fuel etc,if I went out 2 handed in 1 van and earned 350-400 it wouldn’t be enough I would feel I was making a loss  i could easily do that alone at a canter.
You need to get them in a separate vehicle as soon as to make them earn you money,forget the numbers I don’t know what kind of work you have is it small houses that doesn’t mind who turns up etc because if you have the opposite it can be a real struggle as I’ve experienced.

That's why I've binned the 2 in a van idea off.

At best I could do 450 to 500 a day if I worked till 4pm. I could probably do at least 350 on my own if I worked till 4. So for the little extra by the time youve paid them it's not worth it plus being in a van with someone all day isn't that much fun. You get in each others way, one of you ends up not doing much at times, can't have a slash in peace and have to listen to someone else munching their dinner. Nah unless it's a mate it's not great. I did have a lad once who I got on with well and enjoyed it but the rest of them OK at best.

I would want someone out on their own. I would work to cover them for holidays or sickness and help catch up when bad weather.

Mine are all small houses which is how I like it.


The type of work you do will determine the best staff distribution we have two per van due to doing a lot of commercial work and no loan working is allowed at the sites we do also the jobs are to big for one man , so they are doing commercial some days and domestic other days  and sometimes a mixture , one man per van is definitely  more cost effective on domestic  but on commercial our daily figures are substantially  higher  making it far more profitable than domestic with one man . Again you need to decide ware you want your business to go 2,3,4,5 + vans domestic is a safer bet if you loose a few houses it’s not much of a loss and easily replaced , loose a 5 or 6 figure sum  commercial contract and that’s difficult to replace . If looking to get off the tools then you can still make a living just about on the figures you are doing now , or if you want to earn well stay on your own and just keep under the VAT threshold , and keep refining work with higher priced jobs replacing your cheapest jobs this will give you more money for less work , this is what I did before employing., so then all your work is well priced when you take someone on so your profit margins are already very good .

zesty

  • Posts: 2452
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #12 on: January 10, 2023, 08:13:03 am »
I think if I end up employing, I’ll want to be off the window cleaning tools completely.

I’d do softwashing, pressure washing and gutter clears to bring in a decent wage on top of the window cleaning.

Have you thought about that Adam ? Having a guy do all your window cleaning and you do all the extras in a small van?


Ggh

  • Posts: 1776
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2023, 08:24:32 am »
Don’t forget employers liability, NI, pensions, holidays, training costs.

We pay roughly what you’re suggesting. You will attract more reliable and better quality applicants at 30k than 20k.

windowswashed

  • Posts: 2577
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #14 on: January 10, 2023, 02:10:03 pm »
Here's an interesting thought, instead of employing one full timer, consider part time workers, more benefits in your favour. It's a business, you're not searching for a buddy who can help you out because you have too much work, the two are totally separate.

Two choices: keep picking up and selecting the most profitable work and losing the remainder or slowly build up more work and employ providing it's cost effective. Why jump from being a busy fool to picking up any old work for the sake of trying to help an employee out with full time employment, so you concentrate too much on him and not the main reason for employing which is to make a profit. Go slow in building up and start off with a part timer then you can increase their hours or take on more part timers.


Stoots

  • Posts: 6211
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2023, 02:34:16 pm »
I think if I end up employing, I’ll want to be off the window cleaning tools completely.

I’d do softwashing, pressure washing and gutter clears to bring in a decent wage on top of the window cleaning.

Have you thought about that Adam ? Having a guy do all your window cleaning and you do all the extras in a small van?

Yes i have however if i have a full time guy on the glass there wouldnt be much work i could do without going over the VAT threshold and since i find it easy enough to pick up window cleaning work vs investing in all the gear to do add ons it may not be worth it. Although if i decided to go over VAT the definitely would add the extra services, ive done them all in the past and sold the gear.

In my mind i envisaged myself doing maybe 1 day a week on the glass and then my role really to jump in if employee is on holiday or sick or if we get behind with bad weather.

I think if i could get off the glass for the most part i could look into possibly doing another business entirely or taking on a part time job.

Stoots

  • Posts: 6211
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #16 on: January 10, 2023, 02:39:28 pm »
Don’t forget employers liability, NI, pensions, holidays, training costs.

We pay roughly what you’re suggesting. You will attract more reliable and better quality applicants at 30k than 20k.

cheers, pension would be about 500 same with employes liabilty, actually bit less), employers NI wouldnt be applicable with 1 employee. Training cost would probably be my sweat doing most the work till hes up to speed.

Ive advertised the job on indeed at 24k - straight 2k a month shall see what happens

zesty

  • Posts: 2452
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2023, 02:44:19 pm »
I think if I end up employing, I’ll want to be off the window cleaning tools completely.

I’d do softwashing, pressure washing and gutter clears to bring in a decent wage on top of the window cleaning.

Have you thought about that Adam ? Having a guy do all your window cleaning and you do all the extras in a small van?

Yes i have however if i have a full time guy on the glass there wouldnt be much work i could do without going over the VAT threshold and since i find it easy enough to pick up window cleaning work vs investing in all the gear to do add ons it may not be worth it. Although if i decided to go over VAT the definitely would add the extra services, ive done them all in the past and sold the gear.

In my mind i envisaged myself doing maybe 1 day a week on the glass and then my role really to jump in if employee is on holiday or sick or if we get behind with bad weather.

I think if i could get off the glass for the most part i could look into possibly doing another business entirely or taking on a part time job.

Yeah makes sense. I’ve thought the same, doing something entirely different whilst still having an income from the windows.

KS Cleaning

  • Posts: 3952
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #18 on: January 10, 2023, 02:51:19 pm »
Don’t forget employers liability, NI, pensions, holidays, training costs.

We pay roughly what you’re suggesting. You will attract more reliable and better quality applicants at 30k than 20k.

cheers, pension would be about 500 same with employes liabilty, actually bit less), employers NI wouldnt be applicable with 1 employee. Training cost would probably be my sweat doing most the work till hes up to speed.

Ive advertised the job on indeed at 24k - straight 2k a month shall see what happens
You will pay Employers NI if you take someone on full time.

NWH

  • Posts: 16952
Re: Salary for employee
« Reply #19 on: January 10, 2023, 03:16:54 pm »
You’ve advertised the job at 2k a month for someone with no experience have you.