Working from home?

[Gilly T]

Yes you pay tax and NI and you need Public Liability insurance wherever you work. I have clients rather than friends and family but to get them you need to advertise.......




Without wishing to sound harsh, it depends on how you view your future job/career/hobby! If you are looking to build a business working from home, choosing your own hours and making your own money then no it's not a lot of hassle. If you want a bit of a giggle with a few mates and some pin money on the side then I suppose it probably is.

Plenty of geeks work from home successfully, and plenty of us are mobile. Being mobile is hard work (I've done it for 4 years) but the rewards are awesome - I've built my business from nothing, I work around the needs of my family and my clients, I make my own money and I control my own destiny. IMO that's worth 'lugging a few boxes around'.

If you want a serious career in nails there will be bigger hurdles in your way than permission from the council to work from home. It's up to you how you deal with them.

Fair point Vetty and I think if I had lots of clients then it would be worth the business tax etc., for the benefits it would bring. Until then I'll carry on carting all my kit up and down the steps to my house inbetween appointments as it's all for a good cause..... ME :green:

 

[suzie49]

but surely if you are just doing nails from home part time, max 2 people a day, you dont need all this checked out, might be a silly question, or even wrong question, but what happens if i just dont call the council?? ..... of course il pay tax and all, ...

Well if your in a council house, the worse case scenario is yu could be under threat of eviction, and if you own your own home you have to inform the mortgage company ho would need a letter from your local council I would think.
Also I would wonder if your insurance would be valid if the place you were set up in buisiness wasnt officially sanctioned...Im only guessing here tho, so dont quote me ..x

 

[sharon h]

If you do not inform the council you are working from home someone else will, and you never know if they are watching your home and they do count all family and friends as potential clients coming to your home. you could end up in a lot of trouble for not informing them its not worth the hassle. if you have 2 clients a day at your home you are classed as a business. the evaluation man informed me that you are to have no more than 3 clients a week at the house anymore you are to pay business rates.

 

[Jessica Rabbit]

Hi Is it the same to buisness rates if you own your own house and have a drive that can park 4 car a one time? x

 

[Carole.B]

I'm just in the process of sorting a home salon, i want to convert a summer house.
I think its going to be worth all the hassle, sorting the council, mortgage, insurance etc, etc. I'm not expecting it to happen over night but looking at my long term prospects..xx

 

[evelyne]

You do need a licence in order to work from home even if you do 2 clients a week.( if it is just for fun without getting paid then enjoy) health and safety regulations.again!!!! It is not expensive and not so difficult to get and believe me you will feel free as a bird without watching ur back all the time... I know it sounds a bit of a pain to go through that but again it is a matter of choices...better be safe that sorry:green::green::green::green::green:

 

[katiejane]

fair points from you all, .... this isnt just for fun, and i am taking all of this seriously as i would love to do nails, ... i wouldnt be spending my money on doing a course if i wasnt serious about it, the only reason i was saying there was too much hassle, was for working at home as one of my options, or renting a chair at my friends salon, or being an employee, and im only meaning the working from home sounds a bit too much hassle. I plan on doing nails as either a part time career, or full time.

thanks for all your help, suggestions, and opinions

katie xxxxx

 

[evelyne]

You can still have fun and take your work seriously so enjoy and good luck:green::green::green::green::green::green::green::green:

 

[katiejane]

yes for sure!!! i totally agree, ... also what if you own your flat completely, (no morgage) as its yours do you have to contact anyone??

xxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[evelyne]

Yes I am afraid, the same rule apply hun....:green::green::green::green::green:

 

[oey]

You do need a licence in order to work from home even if you do 2 clients a week.( if it is just for fun without getting paid then enjoy) health and safety regulations.again!!!! It is not expensive and not so difficult to get and believe me you will feel free as a bird without watching ur back all the time... I know it sounds a bit of a pain to go through that but again it is a matter of choices...better be safe that sorry:green::green::green::green::green:

Need to make you aware Evelyne that although you need a license in London it is not the same requirements for other parts of the country so each individual needs to contact their own council borough to find out their own requirements.

 

[jenny2]

After reading this thread on here off i went on my travels to the council. I had already spoken with them in the past, but they did not really raise an eyebrow.
Any way as of twelve oclock today my home salon is now shut. I was advised that i would be liable for a 1000 pounds in business tax, but would be given up to a 50% discount with me being a small business. They then said some one will be out to measure up and then u will be advised by post. I then got sent to planning, were i was told that any body who has people coming to the home for treatments or business reasons requires planning permision. The cost of this application is £385, but i would imagine this differs from council to council. Because i only have one parking space, even though i allow for that for my ladies and i park my car else were, then i will not be given permission unless i build a new drive way, which could cost me in the region of £2000, as i am on a slight banking. They said if i do not follow this procedure and am to be found out i am working with out these plans in place, i will be find horrendously. More than any drive way, she said we are coming down on people and are checking out leaflets from drops etc. I am a mum with two disabled children, struggle for child care, if i earn to much i am penalised and try to work from home and i shot down in a blink. I have no idea what i am going to do now, but please guys before u go out and spend a fortune on kit look into it first, and if u have a nail bar in the corner of a room u are still liable for business rates and require permission.

 

[LaBelle]

I am also looking at the alternative to work from home. I would like to hear from you guys how you all started and how you built up your client list.

Warmly

Annette

 

[Gilly T]

After reading this thread on here off i went on my travels to the council. I had already spoken with them in the past, but they did not really raise an eyebrow.
Any way as of twelve oclock today my home salon is now shut. I was advised that i would be liable for a 1000 pounds in business tax, but would be given up to a 50% discount with me being a small business. They then said some one will be out to measure up and then u will be advised by post. I then got sent to planning, were i was told that any body who has people coming to the home for treatments or business reasons requires planning permision. The cost of this application is £385, but i would imagine this differs from council to council. Because i only have one parking space, even though i allow for that for my ladies and i park my car else were, then i will not be given permission unless i build a new drive way, which could cost me in the region of £2000, as i am on a slight banking. They said if i do not follow this procedure and am to be found out i am working with out these plans in place, i will be find horrendously. More than any drive way, she said we are coming down on people and are checking out leaflets from drops etc. I am a mum with two disabled children, struggle for child care, if i earn to much i am penalised and try to work from home and i shot down in a blink. I have no idea what i am going to do now, but please guys before u go out and spend a fortune on kit look into it first, and if u have a nail bar in the corner of a room u are still liable for business rates and require permission.

Well I'm sorry but I think that stinks!!

What on earth do you need planning permission for just to have a table in one of your rooms??

It amazes me that people are TRYING to start a business and local councils seem to be doing what they can to make it difficult. It sounds more like a money spinner to me.. nice tidy sum in the council's pockets just for a visit. Grrr....

I hope you get something sorted Jenny... :hug:

 

[jenny2]

Well I'm sorry but I think that stinks!!

What on earth do you need planning permission for just to have a table in one of your rooms??

It amazes me that people are TRYING to start a business and local councils seem to be doing what they can to make it difficult. It sounds more like a money spinner to me.. nice tidy sum in the council's pockets just for a visit. Grrr....

I hope you get something sorted Jenny... :hug:

That makes two of us hun, I have found one way around it in reference to parking, because obviously to build a drive i need to work but can not work if not got the parking, then got to find 400 pound for them to work out if i am allowed to work from home. So my solution was, hubby works till six, so his car not here , my car as long as i find off road parking will resolve the situation as will leave my one drive empty for clients, hence no problem. i will have to walk home every day, but a small sacrifice to be able to continue with my business.
The tax i will have to pay after discount, if i get planning, even though will not be doing any structual changes to my property can be paid in instalments. So guys fingers crossed it all works out.
I actually contacted Mr Skinner today our local polition who lives in london lol. He said what can i do, i am not a member of the council. OMG, then i explained the whole system stinks, i am a mum of two boys both who have disabilities trying to work. The small benefits we are entitled to is taken away if we earn a pound over a certain amount. Child care if i was to work in a shop would be just to much, the last time i looked into it, would cost me a 1000 pounds a month and for a family that is strugglin in todays economy is horrendouse. I have no family that would be able to help. So i think ok i will work from home, that way i can be there for my boys, work around hubbies hours and school hours. But no, you have to pay up to a 1000 pounds in business tax, then pay for planning to find out if your business is viable from home, but if you do not have an extra parking space then they might not let you any way. Stupid, the whole system stinks if i am to be honest.
I have spoken to the council again and they have now told me to write in. If i can show that i have off road parking for my car and do not have cars back to back for appointments and work in business hours ie 9 - 5 monday to friday i should be fine, So have had to ring my evening clients, two of whome have said sorry only time i can get. Because i work at seven thrty on till ten some nights. So thats gone now, oh well

 

[Execnail]

Hi!! I work from home and have for about 1.5 years!! Its great!!! I love it and my clients love it! Its more relaxed then in the hustle and bustle of the salon. You do have to claim your income on income tax however you have a wealth of things you can write off working from home.so there are benifits as well.
I write off about 20% of all my utilities, mortgage interest, fuel and mileage on my vehicle,as well as all salon supplies,extra nail workshops(education) ect..... and you can schedule clients around your schedule so its great if you have kids!! I have about 60 clients that come to my house so it is possible to have a clientelle from home. Good luck with you home salon!!! Im sure you will do Fabulous!!

 

[Maya Diaz]

Hi, i was just wondering if it was legal to work doing nails from home? do you still pay tax? or how does it work? ... when i qualify to do nails, my friend asked me to work in her salon, but now im thinking maybe it would be best for me to work in a office in the mornings, and do nails from home in the afternoon/evenings? .. what do you think works best? and for those of you that work from home, do you get clients, or is it mostly friends of the family ect,.. ?

thanks !!!!!

Katie xxxxx:hug:

Basing a business out of your home is always a challenge, especially when it comes to providing services in the beauty industry. I'm not saying it can't be done but it can sometimes seem like an uphill struggle.
People go to spas and salon for the experience and the pampering. They want to see and be seen. They don't want to go to your house.
If you chose to take this route, you would need networking sources, preferably three, (Rotary, Chamber of Commerce etc), to help you build. BNI (Business Networking International) is one I highly suggest from personal experience, a one person per profession networking group, where you can lock out your competition if you join and have a group of 25+ people as your advertising crew.
I say start in a salon or spa. Build your clientele and get comfortable with the industry before you try taking on something this big alone.
Being a manicurist is a fabulous job and I wouldn't change what I do for the world.
I'd hate to see you get overwhelmed or discouraged this early on.
Good luck! It is a wonderful thing when you begin to reap the rewards.