Contract Work, work from home, etc

[bloodclot]

I would like to get my certifiation later this year and start doing work part time from home. Basicly start up a design service, drawing conversions etc business. Does anyone here on the list already have something like this set up? How does it work, and what can I expect? Suggestions on how to get it started, fees, etc would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to start researching this opportunity early because I'm sure there will be a lot involved. My home workstation is set-up and ready to go.
Thanks in advance,
Bloodclot

I come from a small town where the population NEVER changed. Everytime someone got pregnant, someone left town.

 

[smcadman]

Hopefully this work from home isn't stuffing envelopes. I fell for that scam about 8 years ago and you absolutely cannot make $200-$300 working only 5 hours a week stuffing envelopes for companies. Luckily I only lost about $60. Actually I should be ashamed to admit this.

Flores
SW06 SP3.0

 

[Heckler]

I get tired of hearing those commericals on the radio.....

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

 

[EngJW]

I think the bloodclot has a valid question and I would like to know myself, as there are doubts about my job lasting to retirement.

There must be some significant expenses up front for computers and software and other supplies, like you can't raid the office supply cabinet anymore.

The most difficult things to me would be finding the work and then making money from it. When you work for a company the work is given to you, and if you waste a whole day on mistakes and inefficiencies, you still get a paycheck. I think it takes a lot of guts and a lot of talent and business sense to make it work.

 

[bluesman0007]

bloodclot,

I'm sure there are others out there with more experience, but I can share a few of my experiences: This mainly started out of need... no job + state job assistance. I had to write a business plan, come up with what kind of assistance I would need etc. New computer, office furniture, no software but my VAR was working on that. Got a job offer working full time and I now have my office set-up. I have done some work for friends (friends + hours x rate = nothing to write home about.) Just kidding.. kinda.. Worked with another friend who had a design business and our first quoted project was approved and under way and it was pulled, guy went another route and failed miserably. Things I learned:

1. Working from home can be a challenge, always something else that has to been done around the house, or hunting season.

2. Working all day and coming home and working nights and sometimes weekends.

3. Accounting, getting paid, all the little business things we take for granted working for someone else.

4. Finding the work and maintaining the customer base.

5. It's Friday afternoon I'm sure I could think of more but I'm ready to go home...

Hopefully some others will chime in. Good Luck

Dennis

SolidWorks 2006 SP3.4
Windows XP Pro, Pentium4 3.00GHz
1.5 GB RAM, Matrox P650
Logitech Marble Mouse, CADMAN

 

[bloodclot]

I think one of the best ways of finding the work is by talking to a VAR. They know the companies that are using SW, and it may be those companies are looking for a little extra help. Maybe they just need an extra 1/2 body but they don't want to add someone to the insurance. Modeling a couple of parts per week with drawings is all I would be looking for to start with. I would not quit my current job because most of the time it is very satisfying. If a company can pay someone $30-$50 per hour to work from home I think they would be saving quite a bit of money without having to pay insurance and other associated costs with employees. Right now we have a ton of stuff to convert from CADKEY to SW (10,000+ parts, assemblies, etc.) we simply do not have the time to tackle it unless it is an emergency. And yes, I already talked to them about working on these parts from home and the answer was "no".

I come from a small town where the population NEVER changed. Everytime someone got pregnant, someone left town.

 

[Heckler]

I do contracting work out of my home for a couple of companies I use to work for. I use their computers and software. It works out good for me.....keeps my name in front of the right people if I ever need a job. So I don't actively pursue contract work....I comes to me when they need my specialty (aero structural design) or they're over booked. I charge a reduced rate since I don't have my own software or PE.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 5.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

 

[Theophilus]

You may want to find a company who could use a lot of work as a starter. That's how I was able to jump from Dilbert Company into independence from the pointy-haired boss. I took a huge pay cut that lasted about five years.

After a while you figure out all the other things (such as those bluesman0007 mentioned above) as well as stuff like setting up a web site for displaying your portfolio. But it's sort of like appreciating jazz--you cannot necessarily be taught how to do it, you've got to work on it.

I spend a great deal of my work day doing non-billable stuff like being my own IT guy, PR guy, client relations guy, purchasing guy, accounting guy, etc. So my potential billable hours per day are cut down before even starting. Therefore, don't sell your services cheap or you'll have no potential to break even (meaning paying rent/mortgage, software fees, transportation, etc.) or making a profit even before you begin. And that's assuming you have plenty of work to do.

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[berkshire]

One lesson I learned the hard way, when working for yourself, is keep looking for work even when you are busy.
If you do not, your work and cash flow will look like sawtooth.
The tendency is to not look for work when you are busy,then when you are finished. Surprise surprise you have no more work. Until you go out and get some.
B.E.

 

[bvanhiel]

Only one thing to add to what everyone else has said: make sure that you are not dependant on a steady paycheck. When I started out my wife's job + savings/credit were enough to pay the bills even if I didn't get paid for a year. You don't want to loose your house because of a slow period.

You've got the computer, software, and skills, but you need customers. They are the hardest part of the equation. You can go out and buy the equipment and training. Customers you need to earn through reputation or marketing. The best source is past jobs and coworkers. If you're just starting out I would recommend on-site contracting at a few places to develop some relationships.

-b

 

[keepinitcool]

You can try other places to find contract jobs such as online places including craigslist.com (may be low probability from this one but it's free) and cadtalent.com. Where are you located?

The one thing about contract work is you have to consider how you will be getting paid. Ensure there is a means to collect so that you don't send over the work and realize you haven't gotten paid yet. In some instances you can bill per hour over a certain amount of time (let's say every week or two weeks or whatever), or per project progress (you finished the model and get paid a percent, then you are going to complete the drawings, etc...). Of course if you work for someone you know will pay then you probably can be more comfortable in finishing the work and then getting paid. A lot depends on the project.

 

[rikonen]

I started over ten years ago, part time. I was able to pull design from the company I was working for and I was the forman of the shop so I also dealt with many customers and when they found out I was doing part design (Cadkey at the time) I was able to pick up some there also. Things to keep in mind other than those all ready mentioned is that some of these people are going to want prints. Plotters can cost thousands. My first plotter I bought on Ebay fo 2500.00 and it lasted for 8 years. I just bought another one this past year and it costs me nearly 6000. Big expense. I see you have a computer all ready but you didn't mention whether or not you had the software all ready. Don't be a pirate and grab it from work, do it legally, I had a surprise visit from a company with warrants to check the contents of my computer once. I had a bootleg of MS Office, It wasn't worht it, much cheaper to buy it than to be caught with a copy. Remember also that you don't need to focus on people just using Solidworks, translators are pretty good and able to work between all packages now a days. Remember your everyday supplies (Paper, staples, clips, INK CARTRIDGES, etc, etc) Collecting money during a slow period can be a PITA even from your most loyal companies. My best paying customer went out nearly 200 days when a sudden slow spell hit. (hmmmm pay for that design or keep my employees working, hmmm pay my electric bill or pay for that design?) terms are often net 30 days and to have companies to agree for less is challenging if not impossible. I gave up trying. Well that's enough from me I'm sure there's others that would like to chime in.

 

[wgchere]

I had a surprise visit from a company with warrants to check the contents of my computer

Wow! I'm curious. What company (names aren't necessary)--was it a software company checking up on you or a company you had worked with in the past?

 

[rikonen]

It was acually a company that works with software companies like microsoft, CNC Software, Kubotec, Adobe, etc. After it all took place I remember getting letters in the mail letting me know that they were in the New England area and that they would be looking for pirated software at select companies in the area. Who'd guess I get picked. Live and learn, sometimes the hard way.