Help!: Leaving the Army

[Minty913]

I posted on here and got some great advice last year about leaving the Army after my next tour of Afghanistan.

Well I have decided I’m going to go for it the Army is a good job but the time I spend away on day to day Duty not including tour is far too much as I have 3 young boys.
One of the good thing is I never lived on camp and have my own house so I’m used to living in the real world paying, not the Army world only paying £100 a month for your house.

So I am off on tour in March now so should get back around September, I am looking at around 7 weeks off ( touch wood ) so if there are any Tilers in Swindon that want some free labour please get in touch as I am keen on getting some hands on experience and would not want paying.

Can you earn a good living with 2 Tilers as my best friends is leaving about a years after me and would like to go in to business with him but can you earn enough money for Two of you 50/50?

Or would you have to go on to site work in-between your private jobs?

Hope your all well
Minty

[Mike]

Good luck with your decision to go self employed but going into partnership doesn't always work, but maybe if your mate became a plumber you could help each other out with work and then offer a full bathroom refit. Will you get a resettlement course off the army? There's a thread on here with reviews of the training centres available

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[Phil Hobson]

Good advice from Mike, good luck Minty.

[Minty913]

Good luck with your decision to go self employed but going into partnership doesn't always work, but maybe if your mate became a plumber you could help each other out with work and then offer a full bathroom refit. Will you get a resettlement course off the army? There's a thread on here with reviews of the training centres available

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Hi Mike

Yeah I will be getting the course paid for by the army; I am just worried about the whole partnership thing as will there be enough work out there.
He was saying he would not mind doing plumbing maybe I can have a word with him about it.
There should be a year gap between me and him leaving. I want to do everything slow time so we get it right and not just jump in to it.
But I can see us having to try getting in to the commercial / siting work as I don’t think private jobs would pay for both of us unless like you said he becomes a plumber.
Does anyone ells have a business partner? Dose this work?
Minty

[Mike]

Being self employed takes an awful lot of effort and money, and unless you both put in the same amount it could lead to disagreements .

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[AMtek]

In reality after a year of trading you might just be making a wage for yourself but you probably won't have enough work to support two wages and after a year you probably won't be quick enough to make enough money doing site work. I think as already said your mate needs to learn another trade, plumbing or kitchen fitting would be my sugestion

[whitebeam]

As Mike, the partnership thing would a no no from me....over the years I've seen so many go down the pan, 1 boss thats it..good luck in whatever you choose though.

[CJ]

Any of the trades are going to be difficult to get into and actually make it pay enough for 1......let alone 2.

I know a guy my way that left the Army and did a plumbers course.........he had to keep falling back onto his old trade as plasterer.

[dave l and l]

two tilers at this time and starting a business probably wont work.
is one of you were a plumber or a plasterer then maybe you could give it a go, plus keep him as your best mate not your business partner
i speak from experience i had partner for a few years, still pals but too many kings dont work

[pjc]

Good idea from Mike you could help him with the plumbing and he would help you with the tiling twice as much work

[Rich]

I have a partnership with my brother. We started it at the worst possible time but we are still going and getting stronger every year. That said, it has taken an UNBELIEVABLE amount of blood sweat and tears, I literally have not had a life for the last 3 years and there is no way i would have been able to afford to keep a family with the money we were making. When we started the business up, I had lots of experience, lots of contacts and a sterling reputation so going at it from scratch with two of you and a family to feed has bad news written all over it IMO.

[Minty913]

Thanks every one given me a lot to think about.

I have spoke to him and think he is happy to learn a different trade Kitchens or Bathrooms.
A minimum I would have to earn is 1500 PCM after tax, is this possible? Lol
Do you know a **** thing but next month when I am in afghan will be taking home 1700 PCM after tax one of the main reasons I would like to re-trade but on the bright side I get a sun tan and a sharpshooter lol
Thank you all again for all your advice it will be a year and 8 months till I go for this but want to get a game plan together and as much advice and experience as possible. Take it none of you are from Swindon and want a free worker lol

[Rich]

Best of luck with the new venture, you are doing the right thing doing your homework well in advance. This site will teach you just about everything you need to know. Swindon is a little to far away from me Im afraid.

Also best of luck on your tour

[pjc]

Yes mate good luck and keep safe :Pete

[Minty913]

Thanks every one ill keep you updated on how im getting on