Loler/puwer inspections or plant fitter start up?

[Vunak]

Hi all

I'm currently employed as a workshop plant fitter but looking to go self employed, in the end I would like to get into the hire/buying and selling of plant but don't have the funds or space for that currently so I'm looking for a way to get going by my self and expand at a later date.

Two options are coming to mind.

1. Mobile plant fitter, I've done this at two separate companys and enjoyed the money and the getting out and about but was regularly left with a sour taste dealing with some of the customers, I suspect this will be much the same on a self employment basis?

2. puwer and loler inspections, this would be a nice change of pace etc but would be new ground for me.

Option 1 seems the most logical route but also the one I'm least interested in all honestly.

Any one have any experience of starting up? Especially the inspection side.
What are people paying for loler and puwer inspections these days?

Cheers

Carl

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

I have been self employed as a mobile plant fitter, enjoyed the work, I had some 220 customers at my peak, but I took on some big companies doing warranty work, and being a one man band worked seven days a week, the big companies paid well but wanted me all the time, the smaller customers then suffered, until one day the big company expanded and bought into another company which had better engineer coverage. ( don’t grow to big to quickly)

 

[Regy53]

There’s not enough room in Northamptonshire for two of us 🫣

If you do go mobile fitting let us know. Or if you find yourself wanting to be part of a buying selling business already ( on a fitting side ) let us know .

 

[Regy53]

For reference we pay a small amount for certs when needed. Probably £100 a machine as a guide

 

[V8Druid]

For reference we pay a small amount for certs when needed. Probably £100 a machine as a guide

that's gone up ...... my 6 monthly,s used to cost about 180 quid a day for ALL my gear, which took a full day to go through and report on ... 5 cranes, 5 FLTs and hundreds of items of lifting gear, etc. ... all on a rolling contract... but the last inspection and filed report was 2010.

 

[Vunak]

Haha I had spotted sandhill plant, don't think I'd be much competition to you guys though.

I guess the puwer/loler game could be a good earner if done with fitting etc.
Interesting to hear the mix of prices, guess it depends if its part of your insurance deal.? Maybe it just becomes a day rate then.

 

[V8Druid]

Haha I had spotted sandhill plant, don't think I'd be much competition to you guys though.

I guess the puwer/loler game could be a good earner if done with fitting etc.
Interesting to hear the mix of prices, guess it depends if its part of your insurance deal.? Maybe it just becomes a day rate then.

mine was a requirement, not only of insurers, but legally too ... so contract was between me and the lifting gear inspection co. -- ins. played no part
only thing that was included within my ins. (with a separate fee - IIRC 50 quid) was Vulcan, for air receivers

 

[Regy53]

To be fair it’s a lot less if he’s on site. Probably 35 a ticket for additional kit. It’s been a while since Iv needed too.