Advise in putting together a skilled team

[angelboy]

I've been tasked with putting together a team of skilled workers for part of an existing business, who will initially be responsible for general building maintenance and alterations, including joinery, plastering, decorating, building work, electrical and plumbing.

How would I go about pulling this team together? The most important thing for me is to be able to budget wages. The only experience I've had with tradesmen is purely on a 'job by job' basis and not on a permanent contract. Should I be thinking about 'generally skilled individuals' to keep the overheads down? Do these people exist?

If anyone has any ideas or advise then I'd love to hear your input. (I know this is a 'DIY' forum but I've been a member for a while now and appreciate that a lot of advise is given by professionals)

If you feel that certain areas shouldn't be discussed on a public forum then please contact me here: email address removed
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Lynda, moderator

please note forum rule 7

 

[angelboy]

Sorry for the email address.

Is this in the wrong section?

I would have thought that I may have had a response by now. Am I allowed to post the same message in the individual sections for better success?

 

[JohnD]

It's not a DIY problem and perhaps people don't feel able to help.

The regulars will probably have seen it though (I see it has been read 40 times)

 

[gangman]

Try advertising the jobs, but with 'able to budget wages' and 'keep overheads down' don't expect a crack team.

 

[^woody^]

Are these to be directly employed or self employed? Is it permanent work all week long or just ad-hoc work? What type of work - not just in terms of trade but what type of person and do they need any extra vetting.

Will they be solely contracted to you, how will they be paid - per job, per day, via a 'schedule of rates'? What about material purchase and transport/storage?

What about health and safety, employment law, tax and insurance, public liability? Do they need specialist qualifications/memberships individually or via your company?

It is impossible to get help here, as there are so many questions to be asked/answered. And so many possibilities depending on the questions and their answers.

You need to define what work you will do, then how is the best way to do it, and then what type of people should do it, then how it will be financed.

Also do you want advice in building work, or employment/management?

You could advertise for sole traders, or use a local small builder, use tradesmen or one tradesman and a mate. You could tender for term contracts or schedule of rates, or cost plus materials, or labour only etc etc.

If you have no experience then you may well put the wrong team together, in the wrong way and the whole thing fails. Or you may just not be able to manage the team as they are not working as best they could, and costs could spiral

I would have a word with a local surveying or engineer practice, and use them to guide you. You will pay a fee but it will be worth it. They are used to working with many trades and firms and contracts.

Or if you know someone who has had some work done, and the builders were OK, then approach them.

 

[moderator]

Is this in the wrong section?

No. I would have moved it if it was.

I would have thought that I may have had a response by now. Am I allowed to post the same message in the individual sections for better success?

No, see frum rule 1a (Also all the other rules too )

 

[angelboy]

Thanks for your response Woody.

I'm looking for a permanent, fully employed team of people who can take care of general business premises refurbs and maintenance with a view to sub-contracting the team or direct contracts.

Business procedures are no problems but as when moving/researching out of industry (mine being non-trade) I find it's like taking baby steps.

I would be looking for a pretty experience and professional team manager who would no doubt help in pulling the team together. Maybe I've answered my own question.........

I guess advertising for a 'Team Manager' in the local rag is what I should do.

With this in mind, what's your suggestions for the title of the job so it'd appeal to the right people (Team Manager probably isn't it) and what kind of salary would be attractive (based in Nottinghamshire) - £30K-ish?

.....

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Moderator's note:
I have removed a big quote - no benefit in repeating it all. Use the "reply" button not the "quote" button please, Angelboy.

Mod Rupert
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