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I have just been approached by a former work mate who I initially gave a start to in contracting many moons ago.
Top and bottom of it he as asked me to go back to excavating ground in London (Working away) for a utility company working on faults ,
Basics equate to between £1000 and £1200 a week.
Most of the money is made by being on call out working all night with 4 hrs minimum per job paid, often doing 4-6 jobs per night (16hrs-24hrs paid per night) sleeping for 8 hrs then back on the spade/digger.
I have cheap digs as my brother as a spare room and lives in London
I wrapped all this in around 8 years ago as the kids were growing up and wife had been ill.

My company is doing good gaining more clients every week over 35 more this year to date.
I am making a profit and have just started an apprentice.
I enjoy doing lawn care have gained a good reputation and allot of new clients come via referrals.
I enjoy owning my own company most of the time its gaining a value due to repeat customers
However £1000+ a week is alot more than I draw from my company and alot more than I turn over in a month for December January and February.
What would you do?

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  • It's a tough one that,

    I can't imagine not doing what i'm doing now, I would hate to give this up after all the time, effort, blood, sweat and tears that has gone into it.

    £1000 a week is a strong temptation though.

    Just ask yourself.. is it all about the money? If I was only doing this to make money i'd have packed it in a long time ago :-)

  • Can you replace your self in your business and go and do the other?
  • Doesn't sound much of a life to me, - nights, away from your family.

    Personally being ouside and able to take the clients I want is worth a fortune to me.

  • Doesn't sound like much of a life for what is essentially not a life changing salary. You presently do something you enjoy and are good at, that's the stuff people aspire too. After over a decade of doubting myself, I left behind a steady wage and took the gamble to do something I enjoy and to be honest, the money is a small fraction of what I used to earn, but I'm happier and healthier for it.

    That's just my tuppence worth. Reading between the lines I think you've already made the decision to stick with what you are doing.

    All the best either way,

    David

  • PRO

    This is an easy one to answer (for me anyhow:)

    Having met you and having briefly discussed our previous lives I'd say it's a no brainier to continue on the path you are treading.

    On the face of it the money is attractive but the requirements to earn that money are too demanding if you ask me.

    It sounds like your current business is growing into something to be proud of. You are working in familiar territory and building a client base. The hours are more suitable and the travel as you'd expect for a local business.

    I'm 49 this year and I couldn't entertain the thought of having to use a spade competitively now.

    I also sense, just by the way you have written your post, that you know what you really want to (continue) to do;-))

  • I would have no doubt about sticking with my business. It is yours and you can shape it's future, and it sounds like it's doing well! It doesn't sound like much of a work/life balance with the other job either? Perhaps the challenge is to find a way of improving your income from December to February with perhaps adding additional services. I think the ideal time to think of this is now; so you're all ready for when the quiet times come round again.
    Very best of luck whatever you decide to do!

  • Your business sounds like it's going from strength to strength. Ask yourself how long you could continue the night shifts for - a few years? If that's the case then when you finish your're right back at the start again and would have to set up your business all over again (or find another job).

    Very good offer but it'd be worth thinking things through.

    Good luck whichever path you choose!

  • Depends on so much; what stage of life you're at, responsibilities, current financial pressures you find yourself under, how long the contract in London is, could the business survive a sabbatical, or would it be a case of starting up all over again from scratch?

    LL knows excavating well, what the job involves, but he didn't say whether he ever enjoyed the work, only the reasons he gave it up, which hopefully no longer applies. Maybe he's one that copes well with shift work and separation. I never did, but I know it suits some. It can appear there's a lot of days off with shift work, depending on the model, and combined with the financial rewards can make it an attractive option.

    There is an old saying though, you should never go back. Things are never quite as you remember them, not always for the better either, and is certainly worth bearing in mind before making a life-changing decision.

    Good luck, in many ways it's a good dilemma to have, known worse!

  • Well my mate in London needed a answer one way or the other, after reviewing the kind words of advice and views of the good folk of this site and after missing yet another two days work again this week due to snow I have decided to order another 30K leaflets get them delivered work on my lawns when the weather will let me and if the weather says stay at home that's what I will do.
    Passed the London job on to my Nephew.
    Time to stop letting the weather pee my off what will be will be.
    Bespoke lawn care is to remain trading.
    Next stop pro membership.
    Thanks for the advice one and all

  • Good for you; sure you have made absolutely the right decision! :)

    Lawn lover said:

    Well my mate in London needed a answer one way or the other, after reviewing the kind words of advice and views of the good folk of this site and after missing yet another two days work again this week due to snow I have decided to order another 30K leaflets get them delivered work on my lawns when the weather will let me and if the weather says stay at home that's what I will do.
    Passed the London job on to my Nephew.
    Time to stop letting the weather pee my off what will be will be.
    Bespoke lawn care is to remain trading.
    Next stop pro membership.
    Thanks for the advice one and all

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