Does the self-employed in construction have a future?

The Dutch economy was in good shape in 2018. Many people with dreams of becoming entrepreneurs took advantage of that. Nearly 200,000 new companies were founded and registered in the Chamber of Commerce, among others, the AD reported last week. Most of the new businesses were sole proprietorships (zzp'ers). The top three industries of most newly registered sole proprietorships are services, training and construction. 

Many new self-employed in construction
That many new entrepreneurs started in construction in 2018 is not surprising. Thanks to the labor shortage in construction, it is attractive to work in construction as a self-employed worker. The demand for personnel is higher than the supply. Therefore, job security is quite high right now. In addition, as a self-employed construction worker, you are able to make more on the work you perform.
So taking this into account, it makes sense that people with a background in construction decide to start their own businesses, usually as self-employed.

Does the self-employed in construction have a future?
For many self-employed construction workers, the good economic times and the labor shortage in construction are a reason to hire themselves out as self-employed in construction. They see, quite rightly, opportunities for themselves to get more out of it than if they continued to be salaried.

However, the above applies to the current situation, but the economy has proven many times that such good times will not last for a long time. In time, there will come a time when the economy is less prosperous and the supply of work will decrease.

When the economy resumes this downward trend, will you still have a future as a self-employed construction worker? It is important to ask yourself this question. After all, you didn't become self-employed only because of the large supply of work and the opportunities to earn more. You also became self-employed because of the freedom you have as a self-employed person. This freedom you obviously want to keep in the future.

We at The Handyman think that in the near future it is going to be difficult again for many self-employed construction workers to hold on to that freedom. The self-employed who hire themselves out to clients will once again be the first to fall victim to contraction in the economy and be forced to adjust their rates to stay employed. This and the fact that there is less supply causes a vulnerable position. Another danger, then, is false self-employment. History, with all its well-known consequences, will repeat itself again.

Independent and alone versus Independent and together! Where is the difference?
In recent years, it has become clear that regardless of the business cycle, private customers are adapting to the opportunities and continue to improve their living situation. Thus, we now see anno 2019 that in many cases people do not take out a new mortgage but increase the current mortgage and try to improve their living enjoyment with the released funds. If you want to take advantage of this as a self-employed person, another form of business is necessary. For a zzp'er who is used to hiring out to contractors, clients and secondment agencies, this is quite a big switch.

An organization like The Handyman helps with that transition and guides self-employed people in the business operations needed to do so. It is experienced in setting up an efficient marketing system, learning how to handle calculations, quotations, planning, accounting and business management. As a Handyman, you are completely independent in the private market but no longer alone. An experienced team of employees, employed by the central organization, franchisor of the franchise formula De Klussenier, provides support. In addition, there are some 180 fellow Klusseniers who all follow the principle "Alone you can do a lot, together you can do everything.

Do you also want to be completely independent and (not just) together? You can! The Handyman is looking every day for versatile craftsmen who want to be independent and together. At www.starteigenklusbedrijf.nlis all the information you need about starting as an independent entrepreneur with The Klussenier. On this website you will also find everything that The KlusHuis Nederland b.v. can do for you as a franchisor. Take a look at the website and have a no-obligation conversation to find out what the opportunities and possibilities are.