Approved Contractor training

[spynage]

Hi.

I've been a DI for about 10 years. My Inspector suggested I apply for Approved Contractor status. I haven't done commercial work yet. What would be my next step. What's the first thing I should read?
I take it part P isn't applicable to commercial areas. Do I just go by BS 7671?

Thanks S

 

[catdog1121]

Do you have NVQ 3 including AM2? Or did you do a 5 week course?

 

[spynage]

Do you have NVQ 3 including AM2? Or did you do a 5 week course?

2 weeks. 10 years ago

 

[loz2754]

Part P only applies to dwellings.
The rest depends on your training and experience with the various wiring systems and methods.
And your knowledge of the regs of course.
Commercial work is very different in a practical sense.
If you want to expand your horizons, perhaps it might be possible for you to work with someone on a few commercial sites, before going for approved contractor status. (Sorry if I've misunderstood your level of training and experience.)

I started out on my own as a domestic installer, but had already gained a wealth of experience in commercial and industrial whilst working for various employers previous to that. I made the change to approved contractor so I could expand my field of work beyond domestic. But I still do mostly domestic, mainly because it's the kind of work I don't really have to think about too much!

Edit -
I only joined NICEIC because it became a requirement at about the same time I started up in business, the same year that Part P came in.

 

[nicebutdim]

Hi.

I've been a DI for about 10 years. My Inspector suggested I apply for Approved Contractor status. I haven't done commercial work yet. What would be my next step. What's the first thing I should read?
I take it part P isn't applicable to commercial areas. Do I just go by BS 7671?

Thanks S

NIC list requirements for 'Approved Contractors' and I'm pretty certain NVQ level 3 is in there somewhere.

EAL have an experienced worker route you could take to gain that (perhaps C&G have something similar) and, for all the cost involved, I'd be inclined to go through AM2 even if NIC don't require it (not sure if they do).

 

[mattg4321]

Why do you need to be approved contractor? I’ve done loads of (admittedly relatively small) commercial work and never been asked.

Seems like a con on the part of nic to me. Similar to paying them more to put their name on eicr’s. I don’t see what the benefit is to me.

I think I’m right in saying DI is half day yearly assessment and AC is full day yearly assessment?

 

[timhoward]

@mattg4321 thank you, saved me saying it!
In my view effort and money is better spent getting some commercial experience and making sure testing is up to scratch, especially 3 phase. Maybe doing 2391-52.

Is there a compelling reasons for slinging the scammers more cash for a different van sticker?

 

[7029 dave]

Why do you need to be approved contractor? I’ve done loads of (admittedly relatively small) commercial work and never been asked.

Seems like a con on the part of nic to me. Similar to paying them more to put their name on eicr’s. I don’t see what the benefit is to me.

I think I’m right in saying DI is half day yearly assessment and AC is full day yearly assessment?

Absolutely agree 100%, I know loads of old sparks that were all rounders that chose the cheapest option to address the part P scam so they went DI to carry on in the domestic field.
AC status IMO is only worth any weight if working for councils etc, because they insist on it.

 

[mattg4321]

Doing a job through a main contractor admittedly for a district council at the moment. They haven’t asked for anything. Only relatively small though £13k

 

[7029 dave]

Doing a job through a main contractor admittedly for a district council at the moment. They haven’t asked for anything. Only relatively small though £13k

I bet the main contractor is AC