It’s a dream for many people to become self employed. Imagine the freedom of being able to choose your own hours, what jobs you take on and when you have your holidays. It certainly sounds appealing but you have to remember that not all jobs can be done as a self employed person. So, can you be a self employed labourer?
It is possible to become a self employed labourer. But you may not be able to be as choosy about the jobs you take on as you’d like.
A lot of self employed labourers will tell you that, while there are a lot of jobs out there, they’re not always what you are looking for. If you want to be successful and make a good living then you’ll need to be willing to take on jobs that are less than ideal.
What Does Self Employed Really Mean?
The term self employed is often thrown around without much thought; but what does it really mean? If you’re planning on becoming a self employed labourer then you need to make sure that you are prepared for what is ahead. After all, the day to day running of your business will be solely down to you.
According to the UK Government, a person is classed as self employed if they are entirely responsible for the running of their business and for its success or failure. These people are not paid via PAYE nor do they have the same rights and responsibilities of someone who is classed as employed.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when setting up as a self employed person is stating this. Anyone who is self employed or thinks that they have become self employed must inform HMRC immediately. This applies even if you are still working as an employee for someone else as it is possible to be both employed and self employed at the same time.
You should also keep in mind that, as a self employed labourer, you will not be covered by the same employment laws. This means that you are solely responsible for your own health and safety at work which is essential when working on a construction site.
How To Find Jobs As A Self Employed Labourer
When you step into the realm of self employment, one of the most daunting things can be finding work. As a new self employed labourer, you will have no reputation to use to get jobs so you’ll need to find clients to build a portfolio.
The internet is an amazing resource and there are lots of websites out there advertising self employed labourer jobs. Things like TotalJobs and Indeed are always offering self employed labourer positions and these are ever changing so it’s worth signing up for email updates.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that you might not always have access to your preferred jobs. For example, if you’ve got experience of working on traffic construction sites, these types of jobs may not always be available so you might be willing to expand your preferences and take jobs in other areas.
CSCS Card
If you have worked as a labourer for an employee then you’ll probably be aware that you have to have a CSCS card in order to be allowed to work on a construction site.
This is no different when you are self employed. While a CSCS card is not a legal requirement, pretty much any construction site won’t permit you to work if you don’t have one. There is a small fee to apply for your CSCS card but this can be put through your business as an expense.
What Expenses Can I Claim As A Self Employed Labourer?
As a self employed person, you will need to complete an annual self assessment for tax purposes. This can feel pretty daunting but once you have done it, you’ll realise it’s not as bad as it seems. One of the things that often confuses people is what they can and cannot claim as an expense for their business.
Expenses will be deducted from the business’s profits so that you won’t be taxed on them.
Cars, vans and other vehicles can be put through as a business expense. This applies if you intend to use the vehicle for work and, as a labourer, you will need a mode of transport.
However, with cars, you should keep in mind that there is an annual 18% allowance whereas a van, plant, truck or other type of vehicle is usually allowed to be put through as a business expense with up to 100% of its value.
When it comes to other expenses, you’re not alone if you aren’t sure about what can be classed and what cannot. You might think that some costs aren’t related to your business when in actual fact, they are. Something like a mobile phone bill often confuses people this way. That said, it is really important to make sure you get it right as not doing so could result in HMRC investigating your business.
When working as a self employed labourer, these are some of the most common expenses you can claim.
- Consumable tools
- Insurance related to your business
- Materials used for work
- Any maintenance or repairs for tools and equipment
- Mobile phone or landline phones that are used for business
- PPE
- Internet bills
- Laundering of workwear
- Marketing and advertising
- Costs associated with using part of your home for your business. For example, the use of a bedroom as an office
- Office supplies such as stationary, printer cartridges and postage
- Account fees
- Travel expenses
- Subsistence when working away
- Bank charges on a business bank account
- Repairs and maintenance for a work vehicle
- Other costs relating to a work vehicle including fuel, tax, insurance etc
Conclusion
If you don’t want to be tied down working for someone else then you’ve probably considered a career as a self employed person. But can you be a self employed labourer?
The short answer is yes, but you may not be able to find jobs that instantly appeal to you. When self employed, you’ll have a lot of resources to find work but what is available can vary greatly depending on when you look.