Wood floor fitting for builders and flooring shops

Local builders, property developers, flooring retailers and lettings firms, who pay you rather than the end customer.

A agreed rate per square metre or per day. Work is more regular and you spend less time quoting and finding customers, though rates may be lower than direct jobs.

• Fast, tidy and consistent fitting
• Reliability and timekeeping
• Working to someone else's schedule and spec
• Basic invoicing and record keeping

• Public liability insurance, as some contractors will ask to see your certificate
• Construction Industry Scheme (CIS): subcontractors in construction may need to register and may have tax deducted, check with HMRC
• Late payment from contractors, agree terms in writing and avoid relying on one client
• Your self-employed status, check with HMRC if one firm provides most of your work

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £5,000, depending on the tools and equipment you already have and what you need to buy. Public liability insurance is also worth budgeting for, as some contractors ask to see a certificate.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £2,000 to £6,000, depending on how much work builders, shops and landlords send you. Late payment can be an issue, so agree terms in writing and avoid relying on one client.

Check with HMRC about the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS), as subcontractors in construction may need to register and may have tax deducted. Also check your self-employed status with HMRC if one firm provides most of your work.