Small steel erecting gang

Builders, small main contractors, farmers and business owners, plus larger steelwork contractors who sub out smaller packages.

Fixed price quotes per job or per tonne erected, or day rates for the gang. Your margin comes from pricing carefully and keeping the crew busy.

• Experience erecting steel
• Planning lifts and site safety
• Pricing and quoting jobs
• Leading and organising a small team

• Public liability insurance, and employer's liability insurance if you take on staff
• Lifting operations need to be planned and carried out by competent people, so check the rules on lifting equipment and hiring plant
• Check whether your workers count as employees or self-employed, and how CIS applies to your team
• Cash flow, as you may pay wages and hire costs before the client pays
• Some clients will ask for a risk assessment, method statement and accreditation before they hire you

Startup costs are typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on the equipment, tools and insurance you need. These are estimates, so price your own setup carefully before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on the jobs you win and the size of your crew. This is revenue, not profit, so allow for wages, hire costs and cash flow gaps.

Check public liability insurance, and employer's liability if you take on staff. Lifting operations must be planned and carried out by competent people, so check the rules on lifting equipment and plant hire. Also check employee or self-employed status and how CIS applies.