Funding a start up (UK)

[50shadesofDave]

Hello good people.
Well i have been out of work for a few months and just not getting any replies or interviews really for jobs that i have applied for, well i have had a couple of interviews but did'nt get those positions.

I work in property and grounds maintenance, i got talking to a bloke by chance yesterday and he buys and rents out properties in my town, he is looking for a maintenance bloke but only for 16 hours per week, decent money also, i made a few phone calls when i got home to a few other estate agents and have been offered a few gardens to tidy on a monthly basis.

Now my question is, what is the best way to finance a suitable van and about £1k of extra tools, roughly need to borrow £6k?

I'm just wondering if any of you guys had start up + funding experience or know of any loans from the gov't (any advice really).

I have spent the day working on a business plan but not had a chance to look at borrowing yet and i need to call him back on Monday for another chat.

Thank you.

 

[thujone]

i wouldn't bother with government for such a small sum, you could end up wasting a lot of time jumping through hoops only to find that they're not even going to release the funds until it's too late to matter.

if you have clients lined up, get them signed to contracts and see if any local credit union is willing to accept that as collateral. half or more of the total loan value in collateral should be able to get you the funds.

 

[50shadesofDave]

Thank you very much for that advice, different avenues is just what i was looking for.
I appreciate your time in posting.

 

[thujone]

I hope it helps, sounds like you have a good plan and just have to execute to succeed. Let us know how it works out, we can learn from your experience too

 

[50shadesofDave]

No worries, i appreciate any advice.
I will be spending part of the day tomorrow looking at getting funded. However i got a call today inviting me for interview elsewhere, so we'll see what happens with that.
Thanks again for your time.

 

[thujone]

yeah I took the salaryman route, too. It's nice to work in an office with A/C. If you can find someone reliable to do the work you could even do both - subcontract the landscaping and collect a small cut for dealing with clients, while also working a 9-5

 

[TheUltimateFixx]

Hello good people.
Well i have been out of work for a few months and just not getting any replies or interviews really for jobs that i have applied for, well i have had a couple of interviews but did'nt get those positions.

I work in property and grounds maintenance, i got talking to a bloke by chance yesterday and he buys and rents out properties in my town, he is looking for a maintenance bloke but only for 16 hours per week, decent money also, i made a few phone calls when i got home to a few other estate agents and have been offered a few gardens to tidy on a monthly basis.

Now my question is, what is the best way to finance a suitable van and about £1k of extra tools, roughly need to borrow £6k?

I'm just wondering if any of you guys had start up + funding experience or know of any loans from the gov't (any advice really).

I have spent the day working on a business plan but not had a chance to look at borrowing yet and i need to call him back on Monday for another chat.

Thank you.

Bloody heck man come up here, we need some ground maintenance doing!! The whole place has turned into a jungle and what tools I have aren't up to the task.

 

[Soso78]

I own a similar business, I got vans out and people working for me from from feb to December.

U don’t need 6k to start.
I just bought a 4th van. Swb transit 2010 plate. Got it for £1700.
Buy a brand Honda Izzy 21 inch self drive
tgen second hand strimmer and hedge cutter,
Leaf blower.
Buy more gear as u start get money coming in.

 

[50shadesofDave]

Thanks for the replies, i need to get new tools, i've had mine for over 15 years some of them and don't want to be having failures. I've a combination frame to fit tomorrow but my recip saw stutters at times (inefficent).
Wanted to pay a years insurance and tax so i can build a pot for the following year, just want things to be right.

Thanks again people.