Start a niche temp agency from home

Local employers such as offices, warehouses, restaurants, care providers and event companies that need extra staff at short notice.

You charge the employer an hourly rate for each temp and pay the worker a lower rate. The difference covers employer costs, your overheads and your profit.

• Selling and building relationships with employers
• Interviewing and matching people to jobs
• Organised, with good record keeping
• Quick problem solving when shifts fall through

• Employment agency rules, including the Conduct Regulations, cover how you treat workers and clients, so check the current requirements with GOV.UK and the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate
• Agency workers may gain rights such as equal treatment after a qualifying period, check the Agency Workers Regulations
• You may be responsible for paying workers, PAYE, National Insurance and holiday pay even if the client pays you late
• Cash flow, since workers are paid weekly and clients often pay in 30 days, so check whether invoice finance or a payroll partner suits you
• Right to work checks on every worker, and extra checks for some roles such as those involving children or vulnerable adults
• Public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and employer's liability once you have staff

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on your set-up, insurance and how much working capital you need. Workers are paid weekly while clients often pay in 30 days, so plan for that gap.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how many employers you supply and how many hours your workers cover. These are estimates only, and cash flow needs careful management.

Check the Conduct Regulations and Agency Workers Regulations on GOV.UK and with the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. Also check your duties on right to work checks, PAYE, National Insurance, holiday pay and insurance.