Electrical contractor for shops and offices

Shops, offices, restaurants, building firms, landlords and facilities managers.

Quoted contract prices for installs, planned maintenance and testing agreements, and day rates when working for builders.

• Experienced qualified electrician
• Estimating and quoting jobs
• Managing people, schedules and paperwork

• Employer's liability insurance is usually required once you hire staff; check the rules for subcontractors
• Commercial clients often ask for risk assessments and method statements, so build these into your paperwork
• Payment terms can be slow, so check client credit and agree stage payments
• Check how CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) applies when working for or with contractors
• Check VAT and the reverse charge rules for construction services with an accountant

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on vehicles, tools, test equipment and insurance. These are estimates, so get quotes from suppliers and insurers before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on team size, your mix of installs, testing and maintenance, and how many commercial clients you win. That is revenue before wages, materials and other costs.

Check employer's liability insurance requirements once you hire, and the rules for subcontractors. Also check how CIS and the VAT reverse charge apply with an accountant, and build risk assessments and method statements into your paperwork.