Great to hear a fellow small business owner. (Roofer here) Some of the best advice I was ever given was.. “If you can’t buy it outright twice, don’t buy it once” “Don’t get too big too quick” We all think we need the best and newest things. We need the best yard. Best van/trucks. Private plates. The most material stocked up. We need the biggest and best jobs. All that usually brings is cash flow problems. Slow and steady. Build. Build. Build. Great video. Enjoyed that.
Running a small business is a fucking nightmare.Once you’re in it’s hard to get out. You become a cash cow with everyone thinking you’re loaded but they don’t see the behind the scene worry’s that never go away . Plenty have failed so well done fella
I know your feeling mate, been going 2 years now. Doing your best to keep all customers happy but cash flow and getting the money is what’s the hardest thing about running your own firm no doubt about it👍
I started in working in scaffolding company I live in Vancouver And my Co workers are British and they are from UK. Good lads and scaffolders. Your video helped me with the knowledge I am looking for . cheers Lad
Fairplay to a 21 year old giving it a try at his own company and scaling It to this size so quickly. I've been going just over a year and I'm worried about scaling,
Mate I just went 100% since I started haven’t brought anything for myself just re invested everything. Been very tight on money for a while now but hopefully will sort that out this year. Just gotta go for it mate that what I think.
Great videos keep ot going noce to see a young lad with ambition had my own small company for nearly 30 years now been through a lot of hard times but we're still here I downsized a few years ago and I just work on my own now doing smaller jobs me my dog and a wagon hardest thing was staff in that time had 8 lads on at one point I just got sick of all the hassle with them back when i started they were good lads but they got older got out of the game and the younger ones were a nightmare your yard looks like it's in a nice spot pleasure to work out of somewhere like that keep going good luck
Sounds like.my personal.journey.found.i got.burnt out after 4 or.5 yrs.ended up.putting people in the office side who I could.TRUST.went out just scaffolding myself also.keeps an eye.on.the.quality.makes.it.alot.easier having others with you and life becomes bearable. Lol cash flow will.always be a problem. Good luck lad
I know how you feel mate, I’ve been going 5 years grew it up to 50 - 60 jobs rotating, but it all got to much for me vans breaking down slow payments staff letting you down, I started selling up last summer regretting it now and buying it all back 🤦♂️🤦♂️ the pressure off it all can be to much
Keep going mate don’t give up gotta get away sometimes to clear your head. I’ve been the same thought about selling then I think why have I gone thro all this stress just to give up. 🙈 keep your head up and keep moving forward
Fair play JR 🤜🏻🤛🏻 When you got the scaffolding lorry, I assume you had to pay out more to be able to drive it unless you had an another employee that could already drive it at a older age that passed their hgv test?
Fair play mate, I’m 6 months in I’m only 21 have just worked offshore in the North Sea for 2 year thought I’d give running my own bit a go, van cost me 1000 last week it’s stressful you can never have enough kit either but I’m happy and enjoying it csn already see I would like to stay just me and my brother mabye 3rd man eventually as you need it and end goal get a 7.5t but definetly don’t want multiple vehicles and men you can make money small that’s my happiness anyways think going big will send me in to overload
Ye mate I’m thinking to stay small now but still not sure. Good lad for getting out there worth it in long run I recon. Ye a lot easier with a lorry mate worth getting one.
@@jrscaffolding5901 thank you mate I’m always inspired by other peoples stories one of the reasons I started up gear is so expensive and wear and tear on the vans as there just not made for scaffolding, operators licence meant to be a nightmare. I’ll get there one day, going to keep pushing as I think one day it’ll pay off
@@jow4625 I was told operators was a nightmare but it’s not that bad mate as long as you have a decent yard and setup. I paid someone to apply for me apparently that’s better so you don’t make any mistakes. Would highly recommend a lorry pickups make it hard especially when they break down.
@@jrscaffolding5901 bang on mate mines cost me 1200 pound in 6 months all though it doesn’t sound a lot to someone who’s touch and go with work it’s a lot id pay it no problems when working away but the struggle can be real now. Going to start looking into my class 2 it was either that or go offshore and offshore made me alot more money
I feel your pain bud... Ive been upto 27 lads at my maximum, it was relentless. Im now down to 5 lads and its some much easier doing residential work. The big commercial work is a nightmare to manage and longer payment terms. Keep you chin up and good luck If it was easy all the lads would be doing it, but they don't.
Geez 27lads. That’s sounds like hard work 🙈. I’m thinking the same stay small and earn better money. I wonted to go really big at the start but re thinking it now
Yeah mate becareful what you wish for... Before you know it you're out of control and a big contractor goes bang on you. Theres loads of work out there doing residential roofing works etc. More men more headaches plus bigger fleet lots more headaches as you know trucks and pick ups always in the garage.@@jrscaffolding5901
My advice stay small less hassle and you will earn enough money for a good lifestyle turn over goes up profit goes down remember that and you will only end up giving more to the Tax man and fair play to you for what you have achieved ive been runningva one man band for 14 years 10 full time now and know how hard it is keep at it mate 👍🏻👍🏻
Hi J. Congratulations for all your hard work, I was wondering and most of the beginners are struggling with this kind of questions and overthinking, but I wanted to ask you about how much you invested in the scaffolding and other materials for you to be able to do a job?
Mate been there I got upto 15 guys and when the the lady done the accounts she said we earnt twice as much with 5 guys Hardest thing is to say no ,but sometimes the wisest You will get there ,anyone who can do a roof like that 2 handed has the work effort Slow and steady
Awesome bro your doing well. Good story to get to we’re you are now as well. Maybe apart from the Caledonia part 😂 I work in Australia now there the worse company and lowest paying haha.
All the dog days and hardship is what prepares you for the future so embrace the challenges that confront you. You wouldn't still be here if you weren't made for it so keep on going brother 💪 Love the content. How to builds, and scaffolding challenges sounds good. Ps, get a good accountant.
Ye mate gotta put the graft in to get anything in this world. Gotta keep reminding myself of were I started. And yes mate got the accounts sorted. Thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed the content.
Looking to get into business my uncle has his own scaffold business but we fell off and no longer talk I know some customers don’t want to pay at times
Hello bud, awesome videos ! I’m a roofer and got lots of my own gear I have bought over the years thinking of starting my own scaffolding company what type of license do I need to legally rent it as company ? Thank a lot bud keep up the good work ! 🎉
@@jrscaffolding5901 thanks bud, and if you don’t mind what type of license do I need to start erecting and renting out my kit to others? Thanks a lot !
Hi J. You were talking about an apprentice, are you training ppl to be a scaffolder and if you do how long it would take? I'm not experienced in scaffolding. Would it be easy for me to get a job like that?
The best think to do would be ask a local firm. it takes 2 years to get your part 2 tickets but should get getting a bit more money once you complete your part 1. It takes time to learn the sizes of tube and names of fittings but should pick it up mate.
Hey pal. I'm an apprentice going through college at the moment and heard the part in this video about how you wanted one of your apprentices to bring back some drawings/designs from the college. Just finished my part 2 this week and brought back some of those drawings after remembering what you said. If you are still interested, I could get them sent off to you? Keep up the good content, yourself and shark scaffolding put out good stuff.
@@jrscaffolding5901 If you've got a business email or anything similar? I could scan the drawings if my printer is big enough instead of a photo, better quality for you to print and then show on video. Or I could even post the original drawings to a business address?
Good video mate, I don’t think you give yourself enough credit for what you’ve done at such a young age in this game. kudos to you and your good lady. She doesn’t mind getting out and getting her hands dirty that’s rare lol. You’ve done what most scaffs and tradesmen could only dream of 👍🏼. Fuck the doubters - tunnel vision the skys the limit. 💪🏼 Hows the buisness now if you don’t mind me asking?
@@David31lol buisness is good mate busy but I’m struggling to keep going 🤦🤦 found out my grandad has been sexually abusing my cousins from the ages of 6-15. So my head has been fried 😢😢 but slowly getting back to it and sorting it out. 💪💪
@@jrscaffolding5901 sorry to hear that mate. I’m sorry for your relatives I hope with the right help & support they’ll get sorted. 👍🏼 and Same with yourself mate I’m sure that keeping busy with work will help you move forward with things, keep your head up and keep striving for success pal 👍🏼
Great to see your work ethic. My lads are 21 and building houses on their own, hard work but they are reaping the rewards Go to 7 days on payments or pay up front would be better. Stage payments on big jobs You can do invoice financing to ease cash flow. Anyone that doesn’t pay just sell on the dept, you’ll have 97% in your back within 48 hours Look forward to watching you grow your business
Put all your money into the business for the 1st 3 years pay yourself as little wage as possible buy as much gear as you can get hold of second hand and try and employ as less people as possible if you can do the work on your own do it it’s more ready’s in the bank after the 1st 3 years it starts to pay off after 5 years your living sweat if u send the money and don’t invest your on gonna end up in a shit situation working back For someone else on 20-25 quid a hour if your lucky
Your never look back I no more Millionaires scaffolding companies in the Oxford area than any other trade. Scaffolding the sky is you limit, you can keep building when your buying all the kit for jobs it’s all money back to you, boards need replacing but the rest fitting a bit of oil. If a builder prices up a job he can’t take £40k worth of materials back at end of job, but with scaffolding it all yours stick at it you won’t regret it.
On your work do you charge x amount for scaffold the job for how long they have said it’s needed for the additional weekly hire? If you do you might be able to claw so money lost on under priced work? Pluse some firm charge for weekly checks. You won’t get this from large house builders they dictate the terms and conditions but if it a 1000 houses that nice 5 year contract that’s guaranteed and just leave a gang on site all the time. Private work is your best best chance if earning good money. A company I no has got 10,000 new homes in Oxford area he gone from 20 men to 120 with all his other work. In 23 years I seen I move from his council house to massive 6 Bedroom house to building his own £6Million pound. You can’t go wrong apart from cash flow starting up and keep buying. He got that much kit his set up hire and sales crazy mate keep spinning that spanner 👍
Great to hear a fellow small business owner. (Roofer here)
Some of the best advice I was ever given was..
“If you can’t buy it outright twice, don’t buy it once”
“Don’t get too big too quick”
We all think we need the best and newest things. We need the best yard. Best van/trucks. Private plates. The most material stocked up. We need the biggest and best jobs. All that usually brings is cash flow problems. Slow and steady. Build. Build. Build.
Great video. Enjoyed that.
@@billycongram621 cheers mate thanks for the comment. And yes I’m slowing down now trying not to grow too fast and enjoy it a bit.
Running a small business is a fucking nightmare.Once you’re in it’s hard to get out. You become a cash cow with everyone thinking you’re loaded but they don’t see the behind the scene worry’s that never go away . Plenty have failed so well done fella
Cheers mate, it’s bloody difficult sometimes gets you down 😂😂 but hopefully make some money this year 🤷♂️
This is awesome info mate I’m an aspiring scaffolder looking to hopefully start my own and would love to keep hearing more ❤
Thanks mate 💪
I know your feeling mate, been going 2 years now. Doing your best to keep all customers happy but cash flow and getting the money is what’s the hardest thing about running your own firm no doubt about it👍
Ye tell me about it bloody hard work getting the money in.
Great to hear how things have gone for you , honest and genuine you’ll do well John , keep it up 👍
@@minibis1 cheers mate will keep plodding on 😂😂
I started in working in scaffolding company I live in Vancouver And my Co workers are British and they are from UK. Good lads and scaffolders. Your video helped me with the knowledge I am looking for . cheers Lad
@@manveerdhaliwal6703 ah thanks for the feedback glad it’s helping someone
Fairplay to a 21 year old giving it a try at his own company and scaling It to this size so quickly. I've been going just over a year and I'm worried about scaling,
Mate I just went 100% since I started haven’t brought anything for myself just re invested everything. Been very tight on money for a while now but hopefully will sort that out this year. Just gotta go for it mate that what I think.
Solid brother!, keep going 🤙🏽🍻
@@bradleysteffert3416 cheers mate
FairPlay to you;)
Especially looking after ya family
Cheers mate. Trying my best 😂😂
good luck John, keep going 💪😎
Cheers mate
Amen to that mate. Easy going out scaffolding hardest part is making sure everything comes along with it! Money decent blokes and trucks
You got it mate scaffolding is simple now it’s everything else.
Yeah defo mate!
Good on ya just remember your gear is your retirement fund. Keep ploughing in fella
Absolutely
Well done keep it going
Cheers mate will keep on trying 😂😂
Great videos keep ot going noce to see a young lad with ambition had my own small company for nearly 30 years now been through a lot of hard times but we're still here I downsized a few years ago and I just work on my own now doing smaller jobs me my dog and a wagon hardest thing was staff in that time had 8 lads on at one point I just got sick of all the hassle with them back when i started they were good lads but they got older got out of the game and the younger ones were a nightmare your yard looks like it's in a nice spot pleasure to work out of somewhere like that keep going good luck
Thanks mate and good luck with your business also glad you enjoyed. 👍
Good luck to you son 🎉
Cheers mate
I'm just trying to open my scaffolding business mate really hard work stressed bad but well done mate keep going don't give up 💪💯❤
Cheers mate trying to keep going will be great one day 👍
Would love to see and hear more about the Australian work bro x good on you for grinding hard mate
Will try make one
Sounds like.my personal.journey.found.i got.burnt out after 4 or.5 yrs.ended up.putting people in the office side who I could.TRUST.went out just scaffolding myself also.keeps an eye.on.the.quality.makes.it.alot.easier having others with you and life becomes bearable. Lol cash flow will.always be a problem. Good luck lad
I just can’t seem to afford to pay someone to be in office. I would love to go back full time on the tools but it’s hard to do.
Good on you mate. Good to see a young lad having the balls to go for it. 👌👍👏 been in the game 30 odd years and it is gruelling and unforgiving.
@@eddiekeato ye definitely hard when your young to have a go they seem to make it really hard for us thanks for the feedback
Great stuff
Cheers mate I hate recording myself 😂🫣
I know how you feel mate, I’ve been going 5 years grew it up to 50 - 60 jobs rotating, but it all got to much for me vans breaking down slow payments staff letting you down, I started selling up last summer regretting it now and buying it all back 🤦♂️🤦♂️ the pressure off it all can be to much
Keep going mate don’t give up gotta get away sometimes to clear your head. I’ve been the same thought about selling then I think why have I gone thro all this stress just to give up. 🙈 keep your head up and keep moving forward
@@jrscaffolding5901 do you ever look at these big firms and think how the fuck did they get there 😂
Top video 👍🏻
Cheers mate been watching your stuff also good stuff mate.
Fair play JR 🤜🏻🤛🏻
When you got the scaffolding lorry, I assume you had to pay out more to be able to drive it unless you had an another employee that could already drive it at a older age that passed their hgv test?
No had to pay a lot to insure it they never make it easy for young people to set up a business
Fair play mate, I’m 6 months in I’m only 21 have just worked offshore in the North Sea for 2 year thought I’d give running my own bit a go, van cost me 1000 last week it’s stressful you can never have enough kit either but I’m happy and enjoying it csn already see I would like to stay just me and my brother mabye 3rd man eventually as you need it and end goal get a 7.5t but definetly don’t want multiple vehicles and men you can make money small that’s my happiness anyways think going big will send me in to overload
Ye mate I’m thinking to stay small now but still not sure. Good lad for getting out there worth it in long run I recon. Ye a lot easier with a lorry mate worth getting one.
@@jrscaffolding5901 thank you mate I’m always inspired by other peoples stories one of the reasons I started up gear is so expensive and wear and tear on the vans as there just not made for scaffolding, operators licence meant to be a nightmare. I’ll get there one day, going to keep pushing as I think one day it’ll pay off
@@jow4625 I was told operators was a nightmare but it’s not that bad mate as long as you have a decent yard and setup. I paid someone to apply for me apparently that’s better so you don’t make any mistakes. Would highly recommend a lorry pickups make it hard especially when they break down.
@@jrscaffolding5901 bang on mate mines cost me 1200 pound in 6 months all though it doesn’t sound a lot to someone who’s touch and go with work it’s a lot id pay it no problems when working away but the struggle can be real now. Going to start looking into my class 2 it was either that or go offshore and offshore made me alot more money
Well done mate , but how do you even quote a scaffold job lol seems complicated
It’s per m per lift it’s not to bad to price just when something is a bit more complicated it gets hard.
Good on you mate your story is alot like my own
You got your own company? How long you been going.
@jrscaffolding5901 yes mate just coming up to 4 years
I feel your pain bud... Ive been upto 27 lads at my maximum, it was relentless. Im now down to 5 lads and its some much easier doing residential work.
The big commercial work is a nightmare to manage and longer payment terms.
Keep you chin up and good luck
If it was easy all the lads would be doing it, but they don't.
Geez 27lads. That’s sounds like hard work 🙈. I’m thinking the same stay small and earn better money. I wonted to go really big at the start but re thinking it now
Yeah mate becareful what you wish for... Before you know it you're out of control and a big contractor goes bang on you. Theres loads of work out there doing residential roofing works etc.
More men more headaches plus bigger fleet lots more headaches as you know trucks and pick ups always in the garage.@@jrscaffolding5901
My advice stay small less hassle and you will earn enough money for a good lifestyle turn over goes up profit goes down remember that and you will only end up giving more to the Tax man and fair play to you for what you have achieved ive been runningva one man band for 14 years 10 full time now and know how hard it is keep at it mate 👍🏻👍🏻
Hi J. Congratulations for all your hard work, I was wondering and most of the beginners are struggling with this kind of questions and overthinking, but I wanted to ask you about how much you invested in the scaffolding and other materials for you to be able to do a job?
For a 2 story house it would be roughly 10k-15k worth of kit and the house would be 2-3 to scaffold
@@jrscaffolding5901 Thank you all the best 💪
Mate been there
I got upto 15 guys and when the the lady done the accounts she said we earnt twice as much with 5 guys
Hardest thing is to say no ,but sometimes the wisest
You will get there ,anyone who can do a roof like that 2 handed has the work effort
Slow and steady
Thanks mate great to hear I do a tidy job appreciate it. I know they you mean about going to big it’s a lot of stress for not a lot of gain.
Awesome bro your doing well. Good story to get to we’re you are now as well. Maybe apart from the Caledonia part 😂 I work in Australia now there the worse company and lowest paying haha.
Ye all other companies I worked for were terrible except Caledonia
@@jrscaffolding5901 oh ok haha. Love the work tho man and the videos 🤜🤛
You've got the basics sorted, perhaps consolidate what you've got. Get your cash sorted then push on
Ye just need to get on my feet properly this year slowed it right down now to catch up a bit.
A subscription on a mission
@@justjord ??
@@jrscaffolding5901 I respect the grind Your on
@@jrscaffolding5901 keep it going 👍🙏
All the dog days and hardship is what prepares you for the future so embrace the challenges that confront you.
You wouldn't still be here if you weren't made for it so keep on going brother 💪
Love the content. How to builds, and scaffolding challenges sounds good. Ps, get a good accountant.
Ye mate gotta put the graft in to get anything in this world. Gotta keep reminding myself of were I started. And yes mate got the accounts sorted. Thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed the content.
I'm based in Chelmsford Essex mate
Looking to get into business my uncle has his own scaffold business but we fell off and no longer talk I know some customers don’t want to pay at times
Ye mate it’s shit sometimes getting money in is hardest part.
Hello bud, awesome videos ! I’m a roofer and got lots of my own gear I have bought over the years thinking of starting my own scaffolding company what type of license do I need to legally rent it as company ?
Thank a lot bud keep up the good work ! 🎉
To rent the scaffold? I normally buy all my kit
@@jrscaffolding5901 thanks bud, and if you don’t mind what type of license do I need to start erecting and renting out my kit to others?
Thanks a lot !
@@zsdhmaestro1365 ideally you need part 2 tickets but if you no someone could always get them to sign it off and chuck them some money
@@jrscaffolding5901 thank you mate !
Appreciate information :)
Spot on videos like always and amazing work!
@@zsdhmaestro1365 thanks mate what you wanna see next and will see what I can do
Hi J. You were talking about an apprentice, are you training ppl to be a scaffolder and if you do how long it would take? I'm not experienced in scaffolding. Would it be easy for me to get a job like that?
The best think to do would be ask a local firm. it takes 2 years to get your part 2 tickets but should get getting a bit more money once you complete your part 1. It takes time to learn the sizes of tube and names of fittings but should pick it up mate.
@@jrscaffolding5901 Thank you very much ✌️💪
FairPlay to you young man
Credit to you
Thanks mate appreciate it
How did you market yourself to get the work in?
Just word and mouth google and Facebook mate m. Once you get a few jobs they come quick as long as you do a decent job.
Do you buy brand new tubes or do you use second hand tubes?
Anything I can get really mate.
i want to start some thing like. what is the minimum i can start with
Minimum of 10k I would say can do it with less but makes it very hard
How you go about getting work? I have gear but only manage to get 1/2 jobs per month
How long have you been going? It comes in time just takes time to get name about
Started last October maybe just been abit impatient
Just keep going mate it will come in time just keep working on it
Hey pal.
I'm an apprentice going through college at the moment and heard the part in this video about how you wanted one of your apprentices to bring back some drawings/designs from the college.
Just finished my part 2 this week and brought back some of those drawings after remembering what you said.
If you are still interested, I could get them sent off to you?
Keep up the good content, yourself and shark scaffolding put out good stuff.
Ye mate could send photos of them and will build them on next video
@@jrscaffolding5901 If you've got a business email or anything similar?
I could scan the drawings if my printer is big enough instead of a photo, better quality for you to print and then show on video.
Or I could even post the original drawings to a business address?
Good video mate, I don’t think you give yourself enough credit for what you’ve done at such a young age in this game. kudos to you and your good lady. She doesn’t mind getting out and getting her hands dirty that’s rare lol. You’ve done what most scaffs and tradesmen could only dream of 👍🏼. Fuck the doubters - tunnel vision the skys the limit. 💪🏼
Hows the buisness now if you don’t mind me asking?
@@David31lol buisness is good mate busy but I’m struggling to keep going 🤦🤦 found out my grandad has been sexually abusing my cousins from the ages of 6-15. So my head has been fried 😢😢 but slowly getting back to it and sorting it out. 💪💪
@@David31lol sometimes you just wanna sell up and work for someone else
@@jrscaffolding5901 sorry to hear that mate. I’m sorry for your relatives I hope with the right help & support they’ll get sorted. 👍🏼 and Same with yourself mate I’m sure that keeping busy with work will help you move forward with things, keep your head up and keep striving for success pal 👍🏼
@ cheers mate haha will keep pushing and moving forward
How long did it take you to go full time
@@JobieSmith-m7q around 6 months roughly
I’m a scaffolding inspector looking for a position in there
In we’re?
Australia
Great to see your work ethic. My lads are 21 and building houses on their own, hard work but they are reaping the rewards
Go to 7 days on payments or pay up front would be better. Stage payments on big jobs
You can do invoice financing to ease cash flow.
Anyone that doesn’t pay just sell on the dept, you’ll have 97% in your back within 48 hours
Look forward to watching you grow your business
Thanks mate glad you enjoy
Can i do with no gcse
Yes just gotta do basic grades at collage but it’s easy
Price per meter
Put all your money into the business for the 1st 3 years pay yourself as little wage as possible buy as much gear as you can get hold of second hand and try and employ as less people as possible if you can do the work on your own do it it’s more ready’s in the bank after the 1st 3 years it starts to pay off after 5 years your living sweat if u send the money and don’t invest your on gonna end up in a shit situation working back For someone else on 20-25 quid a hour if your lucky
@@Rivaboyz1987 ye that’s what I’m trying to do bloody hard to live doing that tho haha
Your never look back I no more Millionaires scaffolding companies in the Oxford area than any other trade. Scaffolding the sky is you limit, you can keep building when your buying all the kit for jobs it’s all money back to you, boards need replacing but the rest fitting a bit of oil.
If a builder prices up a job he can’t take £40k worth of materials back at end of job, but with scaffolding it all yours stick at it you won’t regret it.
Mate I’ve regretted it a lot recently all the stress ect. Can see it doing well in future but just takes time 😂 going to grow as big as I can.
On your work do you charge
x amount for scaffold the job for how long they have said it’s needed for the additional weekly hire? If you do you might be able to claw so money lost on under priced work? Pluse some firm charge for weekly checks. You won’t get this from large house builders they dictate the terms and conditions but if it a 1000 houses that nice 5 year contract that’s guaranteed and just leave a gang on site all the time. Private work is your best best chance if earning good money.
A company I no has got 10,000 new homes in Oxford area he gone from 20 men to 120 with all his other work. In 23 years I seen I move from his council house to massive 6 Bedroom house to building his own £6Million pound. You can’t go wrong apart from cash flow starting up and keep buying. He got that much kit his set up hire and sales crazy mate keep spinning that spanner 👍