New Start

[BLACKBOB 9]

After 10yrs in the building game, running my own company, ive decided to move on to something different. Im fed up of constantly running around looking for work to keep my employees in employment and all the hassle that goes with it. The piss taking when im not on site and going home early, coming in late, endless excuses, PAYE, Vat, Pensions, collecting taxes off sub contractors, health and safety training, insurances, risk assessments, coshh assessments and now they want me to bloody recycle the waste i put in the skips or get fined. It just goes on and on.

 

Bigger firms can employ people to do this, but as a company with 5 employees (including myself and misses) ive had enough.

 

Anyway before anyone starts, i know most of the above will apply to any company, but this time im really going it alone so wont have the worry about employees.

 

On Tuesday ive got an interview with a firm ive done work for before and if they fails to offer me what i want, then i really want to go into Pest Control.

 

My misses is 100% behind me as shes seen the stress ive been through in the past and knows a change is for the best. The problem is ive got to start from scratch and have no problem with going into training. (any advice appreciated) The course ive been looking at is RSPH/BPCA LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN Pest Control. Its a five day course and hopefully after that i can go on further.

 

Do you think at 36yrs old i may have left it a bit late ?, i am also concerned that it seems that some of the Local Authorities around us offer a free pest control service.

 

 

If it goes pear shape on Tuesday any advice will be greatly appreciated ie Books, DVDs, even course work notes, anything to start me off in the right direction. Im already reading through the posts on the forum and to be honest they are excellent.

 

What do you think?

 

 

Cheers bob

[king 11,984]

i cant help you bob because i dont know anything about the buisness side of thing's. but i will say this good luck

[Guest ripstop]

i cant help you bob because i dont know anything about the buisness side of thing's. but i will say this good luck

IVE BEEN WONDERING ABOUT THE SAME THING AND HAVE LOOKED INTO IT(IM 34) I AM WORKING WITH A SERVICE WHO RECKON THEY CAN GET ME INTO ANYTHING, SO AM GOING TO SEE WHAT THEY CAN COME UP WITH, THEY WILL EVEN PAY 1 THIRD OF MY WAGES FOR THE FIRST YEAR, ONLY THING IS THERE ARE OVER 50 PCs IN MY AREA, BUT ONE MORE SHOULDNT MAKE A DIFFERENCE, I WOULD PREFER TO GO IT ALONE BUT WELL WATCH THIS SPACE, AND NO YOU HAVNT LEFT IT TOO LATE, A BLOKE I KNOW STARTED HIS OWN PC AT 46

[BLACKBOB 9]

This is something im very serious about, and good valid reply there ripstop.

 

Thank you King for your reply.

 

ripstop how did you find how many there are in your area? and dose your local authority offer a free service?

 

 

Cheers bob

[BLACKBOB 9]

Cheers Chalk, i definitely dont go into things half hart,ed and will endeavor to get the right qualifications and experience needed to be good at this job. Thanks for the encouraging reply.

 

 

Cheers bob

[Matt 160]

I always give potential newbies the same piece of advice:

 

Work for one of the big boys first, they will train you, pay you, and most of all, give you experience.

 

I didn't, and I've regretted it ever since. It took me twelve hard years to make a living, and then I had too much work for one, and not enough for two. I took the easy way out, and sold up. I now work for a multinational, and wish I'd done things the other way around.

 

Training doesn't stop at the RSPH level 2 - thats just an entry level qualification. Training is an on-going commitment, that, these days, you just can't do without.

 

If you are coming from the building trade prepare yourself for a big drop in income; pest control has never paid well, even when you get it right.

 

Anyone who wants to get into this industry is more than welcome to PM me, and I will do all I can to help you. We have some vacancies from time to time, and as I've already advised, that is the best way into the industry. I am also happy to give advice and help to anyone who is genuinely interested in getting into what I still consider to be a rewarding profession.

[BLACKBOB 9]

I always give potential newbies the same piece of advice:

 

 

Work for one of the big boys first, they will train you, pay you, and most of all, give you experience.

 

After running my own company for 10yrs its very difficult to go back to working for somebody else, The interview i have on Tuesday is to work for another firm in the building game but il still be very much my own boss.

 

 

Training doesn't stop at the RSPH level 2 - thats just an entry level qualification. Training is an on-going commitment, that, these days, you just can't do without.

 

I understand this is the entry level and am very much prepared to commit to ongoing training, Thats no different than the building game.

 

 

If you are coming from the building trade prepare yourself for a big drop in income; pest control has never paid well, even when you get it right.

 

Good point mate and one ive already taken on board. Im not chasing the big money anymore just enough to get by, its really just an occupation that i find very interesting and im sure it can be very rewarding mentally.

 

 

Anyone who wants to get into this industry is more than welcome to PM me, and I will do all I can to help you. I am also happy to give advice and help to anyone who is genuinely interested in getting into what I still consider to be a rewarding profession.

 

 

Thank you Matt a very kind offer there.

 

 

 

Cheers bob

[stubby 175]

the bpca is getting harder, but hey i passed it a 41yrs having only around 6months experience as a pestie

as you have a construction background, like myself, look for a company that does "birdwork" pidgeon proofing etc, you can do this as a full time job on its own, without coming into contact with rats/mice/cockroaches etc, the firm that i joined, took me on for my construction skills, within one and half years, they had paid for me to get different certs, including

BPCA LEVEL 2

bisley safe use of air weapons cert

first aider

site person in charge

pasma and ipaf, which are cherry pickers licence and mobile towers, plus loads more relivent to working on the underground

i do 3hours of pest control but 5 hours of birdwork per night, sunday to thursday

money was shite to start, and still aint great, but a very enjoyable job, and a job that i do well

but could easily see my self just getting into bird proofing, theres more money in that

[BLACKBOB 9]

the bpca is getting harder, but hey i passed it a 41yrs having only around 6months experience as a pestie

as you have a construction background, like myself, look for a company that does "birdwork" pidgeon proofing etc, you can do this as a full time job on its own, without coming into contact with rats/mice/cockroaches etc, the firm that i joined, took me on for my construction skills, within one and half years, they had paid for me to get different certs, including

BPCA LEVEL 2

bisley safe use of air weapons cert

first aider

site person in charge

pasma and ipaf, which are cherry pickers licence and mobile towers, plus loads more relivent to working on the underground

i do 3hours of pest control but 5 hours of birdwork per night, sunday to thursday

money was shite to start, and still aint great, but a very enjoyable job, and a job that i do well

but could easily see my self just getting into bird proofing, theres more money in that

 

 

 

Cheers Stubby hadnt really thought that my construction skills would be that important im Pest Control, as for specifying in one type of control as you said "birdwork" this too didnt enter my mind as i thought you wouldnt get enough work from the one subject. But i suppose that depends as to where you live ie. city or country.

 

Like Dampproofing i get plenty of work in the vallies where 90% are housed of 100yrs old with no dpc. But very little towards the city as there is so much new housing about.

 

Are you still with the same company or have you gone it alone?

 

 

Cheers bob

[stubby 175]

im just with the same company, when i started it was crap money, £16,00 but lots of perks, free van to use whenever i want and free diesel, a mobile with £25 of personal credit,

 

now the free use of van is gone, as is the £25 of phone credit, they want us to pay £500 for any dig in the vans, weather its our fault or not, ok i now earn £26,000 but the amount of work i do, using construction skills has trebled

 

some might say we moan to much, as some nights we dont have to start till 11pm and finish at 4pm, but working nights ruins your social life completely, as your going to work, when everyones at home, and visa vesa

my sex like has gone from nearly every night to weekends

[TOMO 26,774]

I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING THAT BOB SHOULD THINK ABOUT IS HOW MUCH MONEY HE CAN DO WITH OUT. AND ALSO THE KIND OF WORK HE WANTS TO DO WITHIN THE INDUSTRY.

 

FOR ME LIKE OTHERS ON HERE, IT IS RURAL PEST CONTROL THAT INTREST ME, I GIVE ALL MY INSECT WORK AWAY , APART FROM WASPS AND BEES.

 

BUT I STILL DO A PART TIME JOB AT WEEKENDS , WICH LEAVS ME TIME FOR MOLES AND RABBIS MIDWEEK.

[Tikka T3 0]

hi bob

 

unfortunately most authorities do offer a free rodent service to house holders rats are free to most people but not commercial properties mice are usually charged for but free if on certain benefits

if you are interested in setting up i suggest you contact the npta {national pest technician association }

these will get you going in the right direction ,get yourself public liability and a presentable van

and build as you go but just remember safety is the priority ,its not that difficult i assure you i work along side my local city council and it does pay very well i assure you .

good luck with your new venture

 

regards t3

[R_Oldroyd 17]

Heres my tip?

 

Do not go for an RSH in pest control until you have at least 1 years expierence in pest control you will struggle on the course. This course is designed for people that have had some industrial experience , it not just rats and mice.

 

In my opinion you would be better to subscribe to some of the journals ie Technician today and Pest Control News there you will find many entry courses to suit and work your way up to the BPCA and RSH qualifications.

 

I think working for a big boys will test your metal, They always have jobs because they have such a high turn over of staff. Need I say more. If you go it alone with no work experience that is a recipie for disaster, COSHH and legilsation and the products used in pest control are complex and you could get yourself into trouble.

 

I'm 34 and have running my business for 6years and started doing pest control professionally at 24. On the flip side i now someone that is in his forties with many many year under his belt and has just set up.

 

I wish you well for the future,

 

regards Roger.

Edited January 21, 2008 by R_Oldroyd

[dytkos 17,819]

After 10yrs in the building game, running my own company, ive decided to move on to something different. Im fed up of constantly running around looking for work to keep my employees in employment and all the hassle that goes with it. The piss taking when im not on site and going home early, coming in late, endless excuses, PAYE, Vat, Pensions, collecting taxes off sub contractors, health and safety training, insurances, risk assessments, coshh assessments and now they want me to bloody recycle the waste i put in the skips or get fined. It just goes on and on.

 

Bigger firms can employ people to do this, but as a company with 5 employees (including myself and misses) ive had enough.

 

Anyway before anyone starts, i know most of the above will apply to any company, but this time im really going it alone so wont have the worry about employees.

 

On Tuesday ive got an interview with a firm ive done work for before and if they fails to offer me what i want, then i really want to go into Pest Control.

 

My misses is 100% behind me as shes seen the stress ive been through in the past and knows a change is for the best. The problem is ive got to start from scratch and have no problem with going into training. (any advice appreciated) The course ive been looking at is RSPH/BPCA LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE IN Pest Control. Its a five day course and hopefully after that i can go on further.

 

Do you think at 36yrs old i may have left it a bit late ?, i am also concerned that it seems that some of the Local Authorities around us offer a free pest control service.

 

 

If it goes pear shape on Tuesday any advice will be greatly appreciated ie Books, DVDs, even course work notes, anything to start me off in the right direction. Im already reading through the posts on the forum and to be honest they are excellent.

 

What do you think?

 

 

Cheers bob

 

Hi Bob, if you PM Moletrapper, nice chap that he is, I'm sure he'll give you some good advice. Cheers, D.

[BLACKBOB 9]

im just with the same company, when i started it was crap money, £16,00 but lots of perks, free van to use whenever i want and free diesel, a mobile with £25 of personal credit,

 

now the free use of van is gone, as is the £25 of phone credit, they want us to pay £500 for any dig in the vans, weather its our fault or not, ok i now earn £26,000 but the amount of work i do, using construction skills has trebled

 

some might say we moan to much, as some nights we dont have to start till 11pm and finish at 4pm, but working nights ruins your social life completely, as your going to work, when everyones at home, and visa vesa

my sex like has gone from nearly every night to weekends

 

 

Ok mate 15-20k a year starting off would be great, but do the self employed boys earn alot more ?

 

To be honest the social life side would,nt bother me, as im moving to a new area and now no fecker anyway.

 

And the sex life bit is sorted as her indoors is indoors every day :kiss:

 

 

Cheers bob