I need some help re. setting up my own Interior Design company. General stuff and specific to ID if there is anyone else there?!

[NatalieJane]

I am doing an Interior Design diploma at the moment, due to finish around September time (it's a part-time home based course, so could be sooner than September depending how I get on) so far, and I don't want to jinx it, but so far, I am getting on really well with it, my tutor has said some very positive things and my grades have been spot on, the idea was to wait for youngest DS to start school then start my own business as an ID.

However, have decided to maybe not wait, and just go for it, but I have no idea about running a business - tax, insurance, the implications in running it from home etc. or even more specific questions like if I was to get a builder in to pull someone's wall down and the house fell down, who is liable for that? Me, or the builder? I literally am starting from scratch, and I don't know where to go to find the answers.

I have tried looking on the gov.'s website but there is just too much - too many 'If you're doing this' 'that' 'the other' etc. and I think I need more specific advice? Or maybe not?!

I, perhaps naively, don't think there will be loads of start up costs? I already have most of the equipment from doing this course, and so apart from advertising and setting up a website etc. there isn't much left to pay for, is there? If it is just that, I don't think I'd need a loan/grant etc. But, am I missing things?

What costs are involved in setting up a business from home? We are renting at the moment, does that complicate it?

Do I literally (obviously over-simplifying it, but is this what happens?) advertise, get a job, get paid, hand the tax man his cut and that's it?

I do realise I am just pouring questions out, and I'm not really expecting anyone to know all of the answers, but perhaps by giving you some of my questions, someone will know where I can find the answers?

Thanks very much in advance, and well done if you read this far!

I do rough sketches which actually look like the room and work with the different trades.Mood boards not relevant although I used to collect together the wallpapers/fabrics etc and we would discuss them.Get a few rooms under your belt and see how you feel and get feedback.

Thanks for all you help Noddy - and to everyone else again, I have learned a lot, and got much stronger ideas of the way to play it forward

Now to get on with the end of this course and then set myself upon the big wide world, or at least the Southport area for now!

Go for it it is all about word of mouth ime!

I am an Intern at Inova Consultancy.

Inova has set up a business helpline specifically targeted at females who are thinking of setting up a business. Females are encouraged to call and talk about whatever they need help with when setting up a business. For example, problems they are facing, advice they need or it may just be that they are feeling isolated and need a chat for some reassurance, motivation etc.

The helpline is linked to a normal helpline but their is also a skype account for the helpline which is completely free to ring.

Skype: womenatbusiness_uk

Phone:+44 (0)114 220 71 27

Facebook:www.facebook.com/pages/Inova-Consultancy/ 241286134112

Operating Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

Operating Hours: 12.00-14.00pm

Facebook: www.facebook.com/note.php?created&&note_id= 188925004462121&id=241286134112#!/pages/Inova-Cons ultancy/241286134112

Also it is not a problem if people would prefer to email or message us through skype or facebook and we will respond to them as quickly as possible. Also there is a facebook group females can join to discuss their business issues: www.facebook.com/home.php#!/home.php?sk=gro up_153019351418996&ap=1

Inova Consultancy
www.inovaconsult.com/
By post:45A Crescent Road, Sheffield, S7 1HL, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)114 2207127

I've run my own interior design business for 8 years and after the day I've had today I doubt I'll last another 8 days! Some things for you to think about (bearing in mind I've had a bad day):

1. don't do design work for free. Clients will take your ideas and then source everything themselves. If your designs are good, then they're worth money, and this approach weeds out the time wasters.
2. Don't do project management of building work. Make the client hire a surveyor otherwise you will get aggro from the client and the builders. I have 30 years property renovation experience but the most I'll do is supervise bathroom re-fits as otherwise you are just opening yourself up to damages claims if something goes wrong. And if you're not a limited company and someone claims against you, you are personally liable.
3. Try to open accounts with fabric companies. This will be difficult with the larger companies but the smaller ones are more amenable. To get full trade discount you will need to buy the pattern books and this is expensive.
4. You will need a good curtain maker. Don't make them yourself, it's a proper skill. You'll also need a curtain fitter to put the poles up etc.

I suggest if you can that you try to get a job in a fabric shop or work for a designer before you set up on your own so you can see what it really entails. To do it properly does require investment, so think hard! Sorry if this all sounds gloomy but business is very tough at the moment and clients know that so we're all having to work much much harder for less money!

Also, I've just seen your post about lighting plans and drawings. If you give verbal instructions to tradesmen without drawings, expect trouble. It will be your word against theirs, and that's a recipe for disaster.

Two of my friends are amongst the leading interior designers in Britain (their work is in house magazines almost every month, seven figure budgets etc). They're finding business incredibly difficult, have shed staff etc.

If you're trying to make a go of it, there are only a couple of ways of making it work at the moment: you could charge a one-off design fee, and then pass on all trade discounts to your customers (so people are ultimately paying less than they would be if they sourced the products themselves, and saving themselves time and hassle into the bargain); or you could do what very few interior designers are prepared to do, which is project manage a property from initial survey through building work to turnkey stage. This takes real expertise and is a nightmare job, but good project managers are never short of work.

Second the recommendations for BusinessLink but get yourself down there sharpish - the government are cutting back its services dramatically.