Start a commercial interior fit-out team

Main contractors, shopfitters, developers, landlords and facilities managers.

Quoted per job or per square metre, with stage payments. Extra people let you take on bigger contracts, but you carry wages and the risk of late payment.

• Drylining and ceiling fitting experience
• Estimating and quoting
• Managing people and schedules
• Dealing with contractors and paperwork

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance once you take on staff
• Larger clients often ask for health and safety documents such as risk assessments and method statements
• CSCS cards for your team, check what each site requires
• Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) rules for paying and being paid as a subcontractor, check with HMRC
• Slow payment can strain cash flow, agree terms in writing before starting
• Check fire-rated partition and ceiling work meets Building Regulations and the manufacturer's system specification

Startup costs are typically around £5,000 to £20,000, depending on tools, equipment, transport and insurance. These are estimates, so cost your own kit list and the size of crew you plan to run.

Monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on contract size and team numbers. Slow payment can strain cash flow, so agree payment terms in writing before you start work.

Check Construction Industry Scheme rules with HMRC, which CSCS cards each site requires, and your insurance. Larger clients often ask for risk assessments and method statements. Check fire-rated work meets Building Regulations and system specifications.