Question re starting a home business

Hi All,

I wonder if you might be able to help me. I am currently a Payroll Specialist working for a multinational company with over 500 employees on our Irish payroll. I am a member of IPASS having received a certificate in payroll technician and a diploma in payroll management. I feel that the time is right to try my hand at working for myself from home. I currently work part time (3 days) and hope to take on some additional work providing payroll solutions for SME's.

My main query regards the rates to charge clients. Do I charge an hourly rate or a flat rate per job (payroll processing/revenue returns etc)? What rates should I charge? Should I also relate the fees back to the number of employees?
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and any information on this aspect or general advice regarding start ups would get greatly appreciated

I run a business from my own home and am developing a second one in another area...have you looked at insurance as if youv clients calling public liability needed...also the impact on your own house insurance is important as some companies wont quote if youv business from home...

I know a bookkeeper who cant operate from home officially but does bring work home.. place of business is at one of the shops she does work for....

I also run a small business from home and had huge difficulties insurance wise with house insurers despite the risk being minimal and I had separate business insurance that covered the public liability side etc. If you do find difficulty with insurance I would contact Pike Insurance in Dublin, I have no connection with this company other than being a very happy customer and I have referred on several people to them for various home business type things and all were sorted out.