what do i need to know?

[jille]

I've done a few workshops with family and friends and now other people are interested. I can comfortably get 6 around my dining table and with a folding table i could fit in 4 more people.
What do i need to know before i start, h&S, do I inform insurers, council etc ?
I wouldn't be doing this all that often, say once a month max so it wouldn't be worth a lot of extra expense.
Jill

[AnnieAnna]

A couple of thoughts:
I wouldn't have peace of mind if I did not have public liability insurance.

If you invite people into your house saying it's a party or chatty get together and the invitees agree that they don't care that they are not insured should anything go wrong - eg your house catches fire - you should be covered by your house insurance but the minute the insurers hear people have paid you money for your workshop they'll drop you like a hot potato.

You need think about insuring yourself against injuring other people (public liability, your things injuring other people (product liability), and your house being covered if you are using it for business (usually just ticking a box or paying an extra £5 to £10).

If your insurers go all stroppy and extortionate go to a s p e c i a l i s t craftsworkers insurer. They are very understanding and have much lower rates. (Actually they vary so shop around.)

Are you in a council house? They might have rules about carrying on a business in your home.

If not you are in a grey area. I would be tempted to keep quiet until someone complained.
You can do office work and sewing in your home as that's women's work and doesn't count - as work - doh! That's what I was told. Honest!
You need to get a change of use thingy from the council if you are going to turn your front garden into a car repair shop and make be an eyesore in your street, or have a mini B&Q in your front room and have vans taking up all your neighbours parking spaces.
What you are suggesting is inbetween the two. I can't see that having 10 people visiting you is any different from holding a birthday party - parking wise, which would be the only bother you'd be causing to the neighbourhood.
You can go to the coucil to ask but you might get a jobsworth who will put you through loads of hoops only to tell you you don't need a change of use thingy after all.

Another thought - ask the partyplan people how they handle it. They're in the same situation as you.....

AnnieAnna

[jille]

Thanks Annie Anna for your reply, I have market traders insurance but I was thinking of changing to Ian Wallace craft insurance, do any of you use him?
I have my own house, it's got a longish drive, my neighbours shouldn't be affected.
Maybe then insurance is the only thing to sort out
thanks again
Jille

[jencel]

I use Ian Wallace and it will cover you for workshops at home, or elsewhere. He's very helpful if you phone him, and tell just what you need.

As to working at home, Annie is right to say that the main thing is to cause no nuisance to the neighbours. I've been to a Business Link seminar on working from home, and legally, there is nothing to stop you (although I'm not sure about rented accomodation). There is a possible liability for business rates and capital gains tax, but not if you just do an occasional workshop.

[AnnieAnna]

Sometimes bought houses have a clause in the deeds but if you are discreet and no one creates a fuss you can get away with it. ;)

[AnnieAnna]

Insurancewise I couldn't get one person to cover everything I do so I'm with the NFMT and a member of a reenacting/demonstrating group. We clubbed together to be able to afford the insurance to cover us in schools and museums.
I had a list of insurers covering craftworkers, Ian Wallace was on it, but I can't for the life of me remembred where I filed it.