builder with 40 years experience requires info please

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 20:13

Not currently in TRNC but going to relocate next year (sooner if work crops up).



Currently self-employed in Scotland. Scope of work includes: building walls, fitting fireplaces, building chimneys, driveways, and garden landscaping, rendering, stonework, guttering/gullies etc. General building work e.g. building garages etc.



Can anyone please let me know how easy it is to find work in this field, or if you have to set up a company. Any advice gratefully received.



Thanks.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 20:18

sit back, relax , make a coffee , and wait for it , enjoy .

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 22:13

hi rowlo,



you are making me nervous now...!

EamonnMc


Joined: 18/06/2010
Posts: 1019

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 22:38

If you have 40 years experience....Retire to Northern Cyprus and enjoy life....if you can't afford to retire and need work, for your own good, stay away !!

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:06

Thanks EamonnMc. for your thoughts.



There are many people (particularly in these straightened times) that can't afford to retire but would rather have a "lifestyle" in the sun than a very cold northern hemisphere "existence".



Clearly low property rental costs and much lower cost of living are major factors, also the ability to be outside a lot of the time.



Any more positive specific advice by Northern Cyprus residents would be gratefully received.



Thanks.

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:07

If you only want positive posts

do not ask for advice

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:17

phil,



i haven't said i only want positive advice, but the previous poster hasn't actually given me any advice in respect of what i wanted to know.



Also, frankly (as a new member) unless you are actually answering my thread perhaps you should not bother to post on it. And frankly, not be so bloody rude.

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:25

Sorry msg 7 I must mis-read YOUR quote

"Any more positive specific advice by Northern Cyprus residents would be gratefully received."



In your msg 5

Again I apologise

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:30

taysidegirl - welcome to Cyprus 44. With regard to your message No. 5, you mention "low property rental costs" and "much lower cost of living". Whilst I would have to agree with you about low rental costs, I would say that the cost of living is not really, once you weigh up some of the pros and cons, very much different to that in the UK (although wages are).



Having said that, I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do

EamonnMc


Joined: 18/06/2010
Posts: 1019

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:31

I think a damn is about to burst ..... Taysidegirl, with due respect, you should have made your own investigations on the likely scenario of life and work in Northern Cyprus before posting your thread ! Any enquiry in the subject box about work, builders and bureaucracy on this island will produce a tome that will make the "lord of the Rings" book look like a short story ! You really need to research your subject ! Best of Luck and I mean that , I have no agenda !

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:33

tayside girl:



A female builder? Good for you.



Sorry you got such a poor welcome to the Boards. If you spend a little time reading some of the posts you will find there are a lot of very bitter people here who have found North Cyprus not what they expected and are unable to adjust - it is just not as easy living here as you might expect.



I think finding work might not be as easy as you might hope. To work officially a non Cypriot needs a work permit and basically they are only issued for jobs which Cypriots cant do - and there are an awful lot of building trade workers here already , good, bad and indifferent. You should start by making official enquiries - sorry I dont have anyaddresses (forunately I am retired) but someone might come on with one , otherwise try a web search for TRNC Government website.



You will also need a residence permit - currently these have to be renewed annually, involve a blood test and xrays and are expensive. Lots of post on here a

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:37

BizziLizzi - I think you might find that it is this lady's male partner who is looking for work in the building trade, not the lady herself.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:42

Msg 8 - Phil, I know an awful lot of nit-picking goes on on this site but it detracts from postings.



I think when you ask a question and want advice an answer that is relevant is always a good thing.



Apology accepted.



(For your info., and to clarify, I meant positive-specific, which is clearly bad grammar) taking a short cut to say "I would like advice that is specific and positive in the sense that I don't want someone saying 'don't come' but advising how one may go about seeking work or business set up."



Next time I won't bother with short-cuts!



I am aware of the difficulty in obtaining a work permit, but sitting here in Scotland this forum is clearly a lifeline to people who would know, or at least have pointers as to how to go about it.



It would clearly be good if one of them got in touch!

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:44

about these.



No National Health Service or Social Security .



Housing may be cheaper than UK but far from cheap and a lot of scams.



Sorry to be so defeatist but it is , to say the least, a challenge and you should be prepared.



OH, jut thought also check out the British REsidents Society North Cyprus web site.



Have you been here on a visit? Why not come and check it out and talk to as many people as you can.



Cost of living can be cheaper if you are prepared to live simply - if you want big cars, swimming pools, eating out every night it is very expensive.



Yes the "being outside" aspect is attractive - on of the reasons I love it - but the climate is not all hot weather (and when it is hot it is hot) at this time of year the drafty ,uninsulated houses are bitter cold and any form of heating is expensive.

BlueButterfly


Joined: 03/11/2011
Posts: 160

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:49

I would strongly advise you to first, look through all previous posts on forum 44. in relation to everything in general. Then come here, not as a tourist but on a fact finding mission. Don,t drive around the tourist hot spots, go out on foot, and see the reality. Tell your husband to look closely at the standard of buildings being erected, watch the men at work, look at the health and safety aspects, a sick joke, watch the mainlanders working their guts out in the blazing sun for 50tl a day. I love North Cyprus, I am now married to a Turkish Cypriot who works for the local council, I go out cleaning daily. We have a reasonably decent lifestyle in our little studio apartment but when I first came here, with my now ex hubby, who first started as a labourer in the UK and now has his own thriving business, IN THE UK, our dreams where the same as yours. For your own sakes, forget it, been there, got the t shirt.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
03/01/2012 23:54

Thank you so much for all your replies.



msg 9 - jeannie, our bills are extremely high for our house in Scotland. I don't think it's a comparative thing, it very much depends on individual circumstances and I know our cost of living would drop dramatically.



msg 10 - eammon (again) thank you, I have done research already, i'm not an idiot. but clearly people do work here and even if someone emailed with some advice it would help.



bizzilizzi - how lovely to hear a friendly voice! yes, Jeannie's correct my other half is the builder, though i'm not bad. I know the process regarding residency etc, medicals, thanks, it's just work for my partner I am concerned about. I have tried to look at official government agencies today without much luck. Fortunately for me I should have a reasonable income.



I totally agree of course, there are many strange people on here that seem to hijack threads to voice their own frustrations, perhaps no one talks to them at home!

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 00:04

Bizzilizzi,



Thanks again - shall check out the British Residents website, that was helpful. And yes, we do intend to come out this year.



Blue Butterfly,



Thanks for your advice. I have spent the last week looking at the forum. It's actually good to hear someone tell it like it is - we will bear that in mind.

BlueButterfly


Joined: 03/11/2011
Posts: 160

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 00:15

Maybe not a case of voicing frustrations, I, personally, couldnt be happier. There are a lot of people on the forum who may come across as being negative, but who are in fact, realists, and through experience, know the pitfalls and are being genuine in warning you of such. I understand that you only want to hear positive things, but life is not that simple. Anyway, I sincerely wish you good luck, whatever you do, hope everything works out for you.

EamonnMc


Joined: 18/06/2010
Posts: 1019

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 00:16

Msg 15, Butterfly, A great post , well considered and with personal experience your guide ! I agree totally and commend your honesty. Lest I, be misunderstood , any time I post, I try to be honest and sometimes I say things that people don't want to hear but is what I believe to be the truth ! There are others on the forum who do the same i.e. try to be positive but also realistic and at the end of the day, to give false hope is more cruel ! I don't live permanently in northern Cyprus but over the last 10 years, I have been lucky enough to make many friends there and do own a property there. I am a very regular visitor and delight in the lifestyle ! I only want to call it as i see it, nothing more ! Taysidegirl, I hope you get the answers that you require but i would take Butterflys advice on board !

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 00:27

Thanks Blue Butterfly.



It's not a case of I only want to hear positive things, that's ridiculous. My situation is very different from a lot of people's.



It is interesting that after all these comments, you are the only person that has mentioned anything in respect of buildingwork, although BizziLizzi has given great advice.



I don't feel it's a case of people being realists when they nit-pick at what i've written or use people's threads to voice overblown statements from ireland. That's frankly nonsense.



What we really wanted was advice from a builder who has managed to set up a company, and if a person with that specific knowledge told us it was a nightmare, then we could think again.



However, the person we wanted advice from hasn't answered the thread sadly.



Anyway, thanks again.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 00:42

Dear All,



Thanks for all your help with regard to my questions. I have just had an email from someone who has very kindly put me in touch with a site for people who already run successful businesses in Northern Cyprus and can advise me properly.

EamonnMc


Joined: 18/06/2010
Posts: 1019

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 00:48

Can the man involved not speak for himself ? He seems to be the silent partner and perhaps he could ask the more relevant questions, based on his experience. Sorry , taysidegirl, the fact that I'm from Ireland is not relevant, my advise you can take or leave, it doesn't bother me ! If you don't consider what you write before you post it, you cannot be surprised if the answers you get are imprecise and don't fulfill your hopes .

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 00:59

Eamonn,



The fact that you are Irish is probably relevant (because you don't shut-up). My mother is Irish too, as is half my family and my brother and my sister. I know how the Irish love to "hold court".



Nothing you have said is relevant actually but you still can't button it can you? My other half doesn't use a computer and as you can tell from my posts, and is clear from the way I write, I always consider what I say, because I have been writing as a career for the last 20 years.



My question was precise, you didn't answer it.



In future if you want to be so vocal - start your own thread.

EamonnMc


Joined: 18/06/2010
Posts: 1019

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 01:06

No need for racist comment,taysidegirl . I did not comment on on your nationality and some of your posts were not precise !

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 05:54

That Gary Robb was a Brit

think he had a building company

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 09:18

taysidegirl, where we have a house in north cyprus, one of the guys in the village a turkish cypriot , and a joiner ,like myself , travels to nicosia to work everyday , maybe something else to consider , a few years back the sums of money being quoted to start a business here were 100k , but that was on this forum , good luck to you , we will be back in dreek scotland ourselves on monday .

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 09:30

taysidegirl.....Speaking as a fellow Builder(retired) I think your sites may be set a little high.The general standard of building in TRNC is not good,and most people look for cheapness of build rather than quality....It may be possible to set up a company with a Turkish Cypriot partner, but setting up a company here requires large funding. In any event, I wish your the best of fortune.....

pollymarples


Joined: 08/08/2010
Posts: 1778

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 09:54

Rernt only, keep your options open and for goodness sake, realise that the competition in your chosen trade is keen here so unless you have a regular income from UK to fall back on, you could find yourself on a hiding to nothing.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 14:04

Thanks Rowlo, that's interesting to know. (By the way, now I realise what you meant in your earlier post. Except it shouldn't have been grab a coffee, it should have been "have a stiff drink"!)



Rowlo/Martin - My boyfriend is considerably older than me so I think a ridiculous amount to start a business isn't going to happen.



Pollymarples - Thanks I was only intending to rent initially as my money will be invested elsewhere and yes, I shall have an income.

walkerscott


Joined: 13/08/2009
Posts: 901

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 14:37

http://no-deeds-no-money.moonfruit.com

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 14:56

Thanks Walkerscott, i've read a lot of that already, but it's useful to have so much info in one place, will save that.



I was intending on renting to begin with anyway and will only buy a pre-74 title resale in the future.



Rowlo, I have been advised that business set up is $100k which is about £65k, as far as I'm aware you need to deposit that amount into your business account whilst the limited company is being set up. I'm awaiting further clarification on whether you can then draw against this/how long it needs to stay there.



I don't think it's that you pay that amount to set up a business.



So apart from the inevitable bureaucratical nightmare, it seems feasible.

ozankoys


Joined: 20/06/2008
Posts: 905

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 15:43

Yes for a company you need to deposit $100,000 plus there will be lots of expenses for licences, legal & accounting fees.

You do not say what your proposed market will be i.e. building new properties - need finance and someone to buy the property not very likely - or small building works i.e. repairs, extensions etc - you will find it difficult to compete with the builders who are already here.

Sorry to be so negative but think your chances of making anywhere near a living are fairly remote.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 18:45

Hi Ozankoys,



No problem. Are you in the building trade yourself?

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 18:51

ozankoys: her op indicated small works, renovations etc. rather than major new build, which is slightly less realistic.



tayside girl: I think part of the reason you are not getting the info you want is most of us here are retired and/or depending on pensions private income (although judging from this forum, particularly the resteraunt posts , most have a lot more of that than I have). Anyone actively engaged in the building trades wont have the time or energy to post here! I did work when I first came here, but it was teaching interspersed with driving and the regulations were more relaxed and foreigners more welcome in those days. Even so I barely scraped a living. I know little of the building trade here but my impression is that the competition would be fierce - and it speaks Turkish! Maybe you would get some work from the expat community but probably not enough for full tim employment and how areyou going to cope with the numerous complicated rules and regualations

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 18:52

she,s a brickie msg33 .

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 18:57

if you dont understand Turkish - they are bad enough in English! - without employing very expensive interpreters and lawyers. This is not a backwoods , illiterate country - it has inherited a complicated beaurocracy from both the Turkish and British Empires and can strangle you with red tape.



You sound very determined - and you would have to be! And very diplomatic!!!!!!



If you do try it best advice is DONT BURN YOUR BOATS . Keeep a house in England and maintain contacts so you can go back if nec. Again not being obstructive or unwelcoming - just realistic.



PS FIRST LINE OF LAST POST SHOULD READ "UNREALISTIC" !!!!!!!!!

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 20:02

taysidegirl.....have a look at this......Turkish Cypriot Chamber Of Commerce - http://www.ktto.net ...although some of the figures may be out of date it generally gives you an idea of what is required to open up your own Company first, click on English and then down to "About TRNC" on the left. You may already know all this but it gives you an idea of what is required from you first of all to start up. You can open a business in TRNC without a TC partner and some money will have to be tied up in a TRNC bank. Also look at...State Planning Organisation - http://www.devplan.org....again although maybe out of date it gives you an idea about what makes TRNC tick.



From my experience you need to be able to speak some Turkish, if only related to the business that you would want to enter. You need a reliable interpretor and ask for any documents, where possible, in English. Mine took 9 months from start to finish with an Accountant. E mail if you wish. Message 36 is correct. Good luck.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 21:56

Bizzilizzi/Dalartokat,



Thanks again for the info. Would never consider burning boats (or bridges even!) Will have two houses in Scotland. (My daughter's future inheritance and she may want to come back at some point, so I have to work that into the equation).



I'm getting an idea of what a pain it will be and wonder i it's going to be worth my boyfriend's while anyway. By the time he comes out he will probably only have 5 years to retiring. So if he can't earn a reasonable amount for himself it's pointless, when he does well here being his own boss and part time hours. He's not going to work for very little.



That will probably be the deciding factor further down the line. Perhaps we will make the decision to move and not bother working if it's that much hassle.



Anyway thanks again, I shall have a look at the tccc website - knowledge is power and all that!

Bradus


Joined: 25/02/2007
Posts: 2641

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 22:20

Some TC work in the South commuting from the North daily. Is this an option worth exploring? I have heard that the pay is better and being in the EU it makes it easier to get work permit etc.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 22:35

Thanks Bradus, I know Rowlo already mentioned that. Will have a look into that, although I couldn't see Steve working for someone else, but shall try and find out more.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 22:49

That seems a no go anyway, you have to havee a job offer from a company who applies for a work permit for you. (Which he wouldn't do anyway).



I don't know what happened to EU members being able to work anywhere in other EU countries. Must be just UK!

Jaybee


Joined: 11/11/2008
Posts: 228

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 23:15

My Ex partner set up a buisness over here and found nothing but changing rules on every twist and turn.to the deterement of the buisness,as previous posts have implied not an easy option to work over here and far from cheap to set up a buisness.Good luck in what ever way you go ,life is different to the UK norm over here ,so enjoy your life and take life as it comes with a smile.

BizziLizzi


Joined: 02/08/2011
Posts: 855

Message Posted:
04/01/2012 23:39

tayside girl : listening to the BBC news tonight I could see why living in North Britain you would find the prospect of life in a Med. island attractive. However, there are snakes (real and metaphorical) in the garden! We have frequent electricity failures, heavy rains and floods in winter, a generally insecure infrastructure, no social services or nhs, as mentioned previously our houses are bitterly cold in winter, and in mid summer suffer from heat exhaustion and various insect carried illnesses! Of course there are advantages and for some of us they outweight the disadvantages, particularly if you are leaving a good business with goodwill behind!]



Could you afford to take a long sabbatical , rent a village house (rather than a villa with all mod cons) and do some voluntary work so you saw the non-tourist side, whilst investigating the work situation?

dalartokat


Joined: 14/04/2008
Posts: 734

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 00:14

BizziLizzi, just curious, why everytime you post does it come out twice?

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 00:22

Jaybee, I totally understand where you are coming from and am at the point of coming to the same conclusion myself. Perhaps not worth the hassle.



Bizzilizzi, yes it's cold! £900 on gas and electric last year and will be higher this year although I also have an open fire on virtually every day. (BTW, i'm English and after 5 vicious years, I can't get used to it.)



Yes, we will probably do what you say, even if we tried it for a year and decided to come back (which I doubt will happen), there's no problem. I totally agree, I wanted to live in a village and get to know the locals as opposed to living on an estate. As long as I have a garden I don't care. We can't this year though as i'm working on my house still, except for a holiday, perhaps next year.



My boyfriend, daughter and the dog would love a pool but the sea is free, it's not necessary.



Anyway, thanks again.

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 02:31

Bringing a dog for a year?

do some more homework

steps426


Joined: 05/12/2011
Posts: 108

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 09:45

Hi taysidegirl i think you are maybe under a misapprehension as you say in message 42

I don't know what happened to EU members being able to work anywhere in other EU countries. Must be just UK!

(UN) fortunately the north of Cyprus is not in the EU although technically all of Cyprus is supposed to be and it ALL gets grant aid, some of which is spent in the North.



And most people living here will tell you (if they live in a villa) that their leccy bills are now over £100 a month

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 10:04

msg...Indeed, the sea is Free, but the decent Beaches leading to it are not..

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 10:18

phil bailey,



why do you even bother?



steps - if you read earlier post correctly............some people suggested crossing border for work, hence eu comment.



and i don't intend to live in a villa (as earlier comment).

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 12:14

Have you read this forum

about dogs left?

because they could not stay

for one reason or another

Homeangel


Joined: 29/11/2011
Posts: 47

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 12:24

Hi taysidegirl email me at london.nails@hotmail.co.uk for a chat.

richez


Joined: 30/06/2009
Posts: 28

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 13:53

If you are reliable and skilled there is plenty of work. Is that positive?

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 14:45

Hi,



Richez - that is the most positive thing i've heard on here, and yes he is both, good news.



Homeangel - will email you shortly, thanks.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 14:49

i think richez jests , tg.

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 15:16

oh!



thanks Rowlo...........there's no shortage of funny men on here is there??



perhaps they should open a comedy club in nc?

babydoll


Joined: 27/07/2011
Posts: 140

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 15:21

there's always vacancies in the funny club

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
05/01/2012 15:23

Certainly are - The Funny Farm's full.

billywiz


Joined: 09/01/2012
Posts: 53

Message Posted:
09/01/2012 22:42

evening all



could anybody inform me of the wages a highly experincened construction supervisor could expect if i did get a job in NC.

thanks

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
11/01/2012 02:13

Go for it

you will never know till you try

taysidegirl


Joined: 03/01/2012
Posts: 40

Message Posted:
11/01/2012 02:15

is this one of your friends phil, trying to steal my thread?



I wonder what enlightened comment dennis the menace will come out with?