New career

[Job and Knock]

It isn't a nightmare. Not everything is done on price - in fact agency staff are rarely if ever put on price, but they get a lot of the smaller (easier) stuff to do - so an excellent place to cut your teeth where you normally won't be dealing with the "end user"

It's generally the lead joiners, foremen and supervidors who need "all the tickets" - agency staff would only be expected to havd the ticksts if the job description specifically mentions them.

[dewaltdisney]

Thank you for clarifying, I can only guess what site work is like. To me, it just seemed like it might be a bit overwhelming for the OP but clearly, that is not the case from what you have said. I am sure that he will take your comments on board.

DWD

[Job and Knock]

In fact July to August can be a good time to start - school hols when all the schools, colleges and unis are shut, but all wanting their maintenance doing. So loads of work and normally warmish weather. Some of the guys call it the "happy time" for that reason (that and the agency rates are higher as well)

Doesn't affect me as a long term sub, but worth knowing for the OP

[Grumps]

I know naff all about the original question posed but, I have seen several references to going through the Agency route. I don't know if it would apply to these Trade(s) but in Transport, for several years now, there has been a prevalence for Agency workers having to sign up to Umbrella companies who should (but may go bust before they do) deduct and pay Tax and NI, all for a weekly/monthly fixed fee. Either that or these Umbrella companies encourage the worker to set up as a Limited Company and again deduct monies, for a set weekly/monthly fee - however, that is becoming less common now with IR35 starting to be enforced.

There are some real horror stories, which I have every reason to consider to be true, of Drivers receiving demands from HMRC ranging from several hundred pounds to several thousand pounds, where these 'deductions' have not reached the correct destination.

I am not against Agencies - providing either one works for them direct under PAYE or one is truly Self-employed/Limited Company in IR35 compliance.

As soon as anything starts to be mentioned of things like 'out-sourced payroll' then be scared. Very scared.

Best wishes for what you find.

[Job and Knock]

Construction work through agencies is generally under a scheme called CIS where a flat 20% is deducted at source from wages every week to cover tax, NI, etc. Tax code and allowances do not apply - you pay 20% on everything. At the end of the tax year you fill out a self assessment form, claiming for PPE (e.g. boots, work clothes, hard hat, etc), out of pocket expenses (travel, mobile phone, van costs, etc) and work tools and materials - all of which you need to be able to furnish receipts for. Most people end up getting a tax refund as the revenue overcharges a bit. Few agencies run skilled trades through an umbrella scheme these days, most just favouring a 3rd party payroll company (who will charge you £15 to £25 a week for their services). Personally I'd avoid umbrella firms or firms paying PAYE - the former becsuse of all the issues there have been with them, the latter because you are generally disallowed from claiming for even your tools (and without tools you can't work)

[Grumps]

J&K. Thanks for the clarification. Obviously my knowledge of Agencies only extends to the Transport sector.

[fin]

I wasn't saying it was, Fin, but it is another skill to become proficient at and yet more kit to buy. At the beginning surely it is going to be hard enough for the OP to build his kit to make a living installing joinery, let alone take on another trafe's skills and kit.

I don't know about you, but I found that to do kitchens you often need to be able to core out masonry for ductwork and pipework in addition to being able to cut, form and join water pipework (soldering or crimping), wastes (solvent weld) and extraction ducting. And I always found it worthwhile being able to do a bit of plasterwork repair, dot and dab (for where walls are ropey) and tiling (for splashbacks).

recently i got a contact for a couple of lads who do cores. they charge £20 per core and turn up in a van either same day or the next day. all hilti gear and cores done in max 20 minutes.

i can also if necessary do my own plastering and even if necessary run electrics in for a sparky. although i in almost all cases just ask the electritian and plasterer to come along and quote for the work necessary.

the hole core fellas have been a revelation though

[dewaltdisney]

I think the OP is starting his accountancy course after reading this

DWD