Introduction To Being A Freelance Electrician
While many electricians work for private employers, increasingly many qualified electricians are becoming self-employed and working as freelancers or subcontractors.
Being a freelance electrician means you can work solo or alongside other electricians and tradespeople on projects. This might be in construction and renovation or in commercial or residential properties, to ensure that the electrics are safe, secure and operating correctly.
One of the key benefits of being self-employed in the electrical trade is the ability to set your own working hours and rates, meaning your earning potential can be significantly more than what you would be paid as an employee and you have the flexibility to work around other commitments such as family and hobbies.
However, it is important to remember that this freedom comes with responsibilities too. As a freelancer, you will be responsible for managing your own schedule and budget as well as finding clients and completing work to a high standard.
Experience And Qualifications
The first step to becoming a freelance electrician is ensuring you have the adequate training and qualifications to do the job. Most electricians will work for someone else first while undertaking an apprenticeship or vocational training in order to gain certification and practice their skills under the guidance of a more experienced electrician.
Before making the leap to freelance work, you will want to build a solid portfolio showcasing projects you have been involved with and work that you have done so that you can demonstrate your skills and capabilities to potential clients.
Market Research And Planning
To make a decent income as a freelance electrician you will need to do some market research and identify where the demand lies in your area, for example, whether electricians are needed to work in residential, commercial or industrial fields. Consider your competition and what you can offer above and beyond other electricians working in your area.
Before becoming freelance, it is a good idea to set financial goals outlining the minimum income you will require each month to cover your outgoings and create a robust business plan detailing how you will grow your business to meet your goals.
Setting Up Your Freelance Business
As a freelancer, you will need to set up a home office or at the very least, a quiet space in your home where you can take and make phone calls, send emails, create invoices, manage your accounts and file all your relevant paperwork.
You will also need somewhere safe and secure to store all your specialist tools and equipment such as solder guns, wire strippers and voltage testers. This needs to be somewhere safe and secure, away from children and where it won’t be a draw for would-be thieves. You should never leave your tools or equipment in a van overnight, for example.
You will need a business name - whether that is your own legal name or something catchy that clients can easily remember. You will also need to decide on your company colours and logo and set up a website where potential clients can find you online.
As a freelancer, you are now responsible for finding work so marketing and promoting your services should be a priority. Think about where your potential clients spend their time - whether that is on Facebook or at your local coffee shop, and get your name out there, for example, by posting helpful content on social media, handing out business cards or displaying flyers.
Conclusion
Going freelance can be a sensible and freeing decision for experienced electricians who want to work more flexibly and increase their earning potential. However, it is important to plan your move to freelance work strategically to give your new business the best possible chance of success.
