This summer has arrived and we have already had two potential claims for damage to windows caused by strimming. Normally it’s a stone that flicks up and smashes a patio window or door. This is one of the easiest claims to avoid simply by putting boards up in front of the glass. Insurance policy excess…
The extra Bank Holidays for the Coronation mean we now have 3 Mondays off in May. Is this good news for you, or a right royal pain ? Do you have to give your staff the extra days off? And if so, will you be paying them? It’s a complicated subject. It’s not just about…
We keep getting asked whether people should incorporate and start trading as a Limited Company or remain self-employed as sole traders or partnerships. There are some major advantages to being a Limited Company – not least the limitation of liability itself. This can be vital to help you protect your assets. There are numerous cases…
Good adverting is normally priceless but it turns out, it can also be costly. This subject comes up regularly, but here is another reminder. A contractor put his company logo and contact details all over his van and it looked great. Whilst it said ‘call me if you need some work doing – I am…
To ensure your insurance policy is up to date, you MUST inform insurers if there are any changes to your business such as, but not limited to: If you switched from driving a Ford Fiesta to a new Mercedes and it was stolen, you probably would not be covered if you had not informed your…
When should a subbie be an employee for tax purposes? We are referring to being ‘forced’ to move on to PAYE. There is a lot of chat about this, but unfortunately, there isn’t a simple answer to this question. The first point to note is that for insurance and health and safety purposes, subbies are…
I have just discussed another Employers’ Liability claim where people have ‘lent’ out their subbies to work for another contractor. The subbie then got injured on ‘someone’ else’s job. The problem arises if you say: ‘go and do that for Max’, you could be seen as having given an ‘instruction’ and it’s a slippery slope from…
The Bad News Unfortunately, in August 2022, Ben, a 32-year-old contractor from Tunbridge Wells, suffered a serious injury at work following an accident with some machinery. This resulted in the amputation of a finger, and he has been unable to work since. Silver Lining Thankfully, Ben had arranged Personal Injury Insurance through us. A few…
If you are thinking about setting up in business, and the idea of going into business as a ‘partnership’ with a friend is appealing – make sure you’ve really thought it through! A partnership is a proper legal partnership that’s registered with HMRC, and not just two friends working together. You may also be referring…
Don’t forget to get your tax return completed in time! The deadline submitting your Self Assessments and making payments is midnight on 31st January 2023. We know it’s one of those annoying jobs. But on the upside – a big bill should mean your business is successful!
