Glazing installer for builders and trades

Builders, developers, window suppliers and main contractors, and sometimes homeowners directly.

Price per job, per window or per day. Steady work from a few builders can fill your diary without much marketing.

• Fitting windows and doors accurately
• Reading plans and measurements
• Working safely on building sites
• Reliability and good timekeeping

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability once you hire anyone
• Building Regulations compliance and whether you need to register with a competent person scheme, check this before taking on work
• Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) rules on tax deductions when working for contractors, check with HMRC
• Safe working at height and manual handling of heavy glazed units
• Late payment and cash flow, use written quotes and agreed payment terms

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your van, tools, lifting equipment and insurance. It's worth budgeting for cash flow too, as late payment can be a risk with contract work.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on how much work you win, the size of jobs and whether you work in a pair or team. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week.

Check Building Regulations compliance and whether you need to register with a competent person scheme, and ask HMRC about Construction Industry Scheme rules on tax deductions. Also check safe working at height, manual handling, and public liability insurance.