Hi all! Old(ish) spark looking to go it alone but unsure where to start?

[telectrix]

Addition to above. Don’t go cheap. You don’t need to.

an example £50 per consumer unit plus £25 - £35 per circuit depending on size, age, access ability etc....

so a flat with one Cu and 6 circuit best case scenario £200.00

that would be more like £150 up here.

 

[Deleted account]

That is very encouraging! I keep looking around at all the apartments/houses and thinking about the 5 year/new tenant thing knowing it needs to be done.

I got pulled a builder randomly the other week, I was changing a consumer unit (for a change) and he asked me if I worked for myself or not. When I explained I worked for an employer, he started on about how foolish I was to be doing that when I could be doing it for myself . Told me I'll never look back and that I should go for it. He really got to me that day and I told the wife that night that I wanted to work for myself.
She's very cautious though and is worried about bills being paid etc......I tried to reassure her but I suppose she's right to be a little concerned as I have a steady income now so why risk it.

Thing is, if you don't take risks in life you never move forward!

totally agree with, you will never look back. This is absolutely the best time there has ever been to do it. I went on my own 7 years ago. I was also 42. Just had 49th birthday.

from day one stowed out.

I got delivered 5000 leaflets professionally done.

big mistake. Should have only done 1000.

got a full rewire from that on my first week.

stowed out ever since.

dispite being rediculously busy for last 7 years, it’s even more busy now.

honestly if your good and you know your good. Do it.

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

that would be more like £150 up here.

I'm in Manchester so between 120 - 150 sounds about right....

 

[Deleted account]

I'm in Manchester so between 120 - 150 sounds about right....

Admittedly I hate doing EICRs so have started charging more, but people keep saying yes.

 

[pc1966]

Remember that working on your own has a lot of overheads (costs & time) so you need to be charging about double what you need for a reasonable salary.

Speak to an accountant about what is needed, they should be able to handle most of the stuff (for a fee...) in terms of tax and PAYE management. They can also advise you about trade off going sole, or Ltd company, etc as well as to VAT or not to VAT (short version, keep below threshold unless you can go comfortably above it to pay for extra paperwork).

As above, don't get in to a race to the bottom on pricing, keep to what is reasonable in your area for reputable sparks.

EICR are in such a race but demand is high, so make sure you sell yourself as doing it properly and fixing trivial things included in the cost (e.g. odd cracked socket) - give folk a reason to pay you a working wage instead of a drive-by monkey filling a form and not actually doing the safety work needed.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Glad you touched on prices to honest, another avenue I'm unfamiliar with!

If it's purely EICR's then you don't need to be registered. However, If you want to get the remedial work as well then it's definitely going to be worth your while to get registered with a scheme. Basically it's NICEIC or Napit now as Stroma are part of Napit and I think elecsa is with the NICEIC (Certsure I think??!).

To be registered with a scheme you need the following ...

1. Public liability insurance (£2 million minimum). You dont need professional indemnity insurance, I am not too sure of the difference though.
2. Health and safety Policy. Don't let this title frighten you, it is just the same piece of paper used each year, just with the date changed.

3. Risk assessment template. Again, for a small one man band this is rarely used. I dont mean I don't make risk assessments, I do, however they tend to be automatic when you approach a job. I fill this in a little differently once a year when I have my assessment.


4. Up to date copy of BS7671. They will not accept an out of date copy.

5. In date calibration document for your multi function tester.

6. Complaints form, complaints procedure and complaints ledger. I just cant seem to attach them here, sorry.

7. Up to date copy of the building regulations. I have always shown them the Building Regulations Explanatory Booklet which they have always been happy with, see link Building regulations explanatory booklet (2005 amended reprint), Office of the Deputy Prime Minister - Publication Index | NBS - https://www.thenbs.com/PublicationIndex/documents/details?Pub=ODPM&DocID=276909
but this may be out of date. Worst case scenario is they ask you to find it online and send them a picture showing them you have found it.

8. Up to date copy of Part P approved document.

Approved Document P - Part P - Electrical Safety - Planning Portal

Details of Part P (Approved Document P) of the Building Regulations

www.planningportal.co.uk

9. Evidence of learning.
This can be a tricky one for a small sole trader. Sometimes I don't have anything to show them and I am just honest. They suggest one or 2 sights to go on for some online training and that's that. It's never failed me. I do however usually have some simple bits to show them like an online manual handling course I have completed or a working at heights on line course. They are free and they keep the assessor happy.

10. Copy of the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) that you completed for the job you have carried out that you will be assessed on.

11. Have all the bits above ready and to hand. You will be stressed on your first assessment so don't add to that stress by not having things ready and organised.

12. Brush up on some of the BS7671 basics as they will ask you some basic questions about the regs.
I always quickly go through zones in bathrooms, safe isolation procedure and the correct testing order as these seem to be regular questions. Oh yes and they tend to ask me for some examples of where other parts of the building regulations relate to electrics.

For example part M... heights of sockets. can't think of any more, but I will do before my assessment!

13. You will pass. Even if you have a non-conformity, which is likely on your first assessment, they will simply ask you to remedy it and then send a picture into them, they will then pass you.

14. I forgot your qualification! Not sure about this as it has changed since I registered. Looks like you have to have level 3 now, but I am not sure.

15. This is for anything I have forgotten that the other members will fill in ?

 

[pc1966]

She's very cautious though and is worried about bills being paid etc......I tried to reassure her but I suppose she's right to be a little concerned as I have a steady income now so why risk it.

There will be occasional jobs you don't get paid for - that is part of the overheads you have to allow for. But if there is enough work you will be fine.

Also if your wife can handle some of the paperwork in any spare time it is a massive advantage, saves you doing that instead of the electrics you get paid for. Remember if you don't invoice you won't get paid!

Obvious I know, but I have had to chase some folk before to actually pay them!

 

[telectrix]

Admittedly I hate doing EICRs so have started charging more, but people keep saying yes.

well of down there though. all us silly buggers from up north coming down for cream teas, spending our hard-earned.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Happyhippydad said the important bit in his first sentence, if you just do EICR's to get yourself started, you don't need to be registered.

 

[telectrix]

happy. PI insurance is essential for EICRS. it covers you against cocking something up ( giving bad professional advice, etc.). PL just covers you for damage to propery claims.

 

[pc1966]

Happyhippydad said the important bit in his first sentence, if you just do EICR's to get yourself started, you don't need to be registered.

True, but they should aim to be able to do any follow-on corrective work instead of subbing it out.

 

[loz2754]

If it's purely EICR's then you don't need to be registered.

Most estate agents will be looking for registered electricians.

You dont need professional indemnity insurance

NICEIC require you to have professional indemnity insurance if you want to be included on the NICEIC register for electricians who do EICRs.
It's a good idea anyway, as when you sign an EICR, you are giving a professional opinion as to the safety or otherwise of the installation. The insurance will help protect you by covering legal fees if you're sued.

@happyhippydad - a very helpful post indeed, very comprehensive.

 

[Mike Johnson]

happy. PI insurance is essential for EICRS. it covers you against cocking something up ( giving bad professional advice, etc.). PL just covers you for damage to propery claims.

If you are commissioned by an Estate Agent you could work under their PI insurance, but still advisable to have your own.

 

[Deleted account]

well of down there though. all us silly buggers from up north coming down for cream teas, spending our hard-earned.

Tennants are not to well of who live hear, but landlords who don’t live hear are well of.

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

totally agree with, you will never look back. This is absolutely the best time there has ever been to do it. I went on my own 7 years ago. I was also 42. Just had 49th birthday.

from day one stowed out.

I got delivered 5000 leaflets professionally done.

big mistake. Should have only done 1000.

got a full rewire from that on my first week.

stowed out ever since.

dispite being rediculously busy for last 7 years, it’s even more busy now.

honestly if your good and you know your good. Do it.

You've really inspired me with this info Pete! I read it and felt that my efforts will be rewarded especially seen as though you started out at exactly the same age as me!

Happy Birthday by the way! ?

I really do take pride in my work and enjoy the good feeling of the customer when the job is complete and I've handed over after explaining how their new "stuff" works.

I am a good electrician (not the quickest out there if I'm honest) but I take my time and make sure it's right first time. I've seen many sparks who rush through jobs but they end up being messy and badly installed with many short-cuts taken. I prefer to take that little longer. I don't see it as a bad thing really as I care about the end result.
I had the opportunity to take the cover off a CU a colleague installed a few weeks back and was shocked at the state of how it had been done. Really messy. It's no wonder he can get through a CU upgrade in less than 2 hours with work like that. I just couldn't put my name to that sort of workmanship.

It's even more important when working for yourself I guess, customer MUST be happy.....

 

[loz2754]

You've really inspired me with this info Pete! I read it and felt that my efforts will be rewarded especially seen as though you started out at exactly the same age as me!

Happy Birthday by the way! ?

I really do take pride in my work and enjoy the good feeling of the customer when the job is complete and I've handed over after explaining how their new "stuff" works.

I am a good electrician (not the quickest out there if I'm honest) but I take my time and make sure it's right first time. I've seen many sparks who rush through jobs but they end up being messy and badly installed with many short-cuts taken. I prefer to take that little longer. I don't see it as a bad thing really as I care about the end result.
I had the opportunity to take the cover off a CU a colleague installed a few weeks back and was shocked at the state of how it had been done. Really messy. It's no wonder he can get through a CU upgrade in less than 2 hours with work like that. I just couldn't put my name to that sort of workmanship.

It's even more important when working for yourself I guess, customer MUST be happy.....

Good to see someone with high standards. You will do well. It may take some time to get established, but all it takes is a few regular contacts.
Another thing to consider - I don't know how many sparkies on here have a website. But I have found it to be essential. Doesn't have to be elaborate, but can help showcase your talents and help people to find you.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Customers don't generally get to see inside their CU and are happy if it all works as it should, your own work ethic is up to you, but when working for yourself you can't be too pedantic about neat and tidy installations when the CU is a replacement sometimes it impossible to get a neat solution as the route is dictated by the existing installation, different for a completely new installation then there is no excuse for an untidy install.

 

[telectrix]

You've really inspired me with this info Pete! I read it and felt that my efforts will be rewarded especially seen as though you started out at exactly the same age as me!

Happy Birthday by the way! ?

I really do take pride in my work and enjoy the good feeling of the customer when the job is complete and I've handed over after explaining how their new "stuff" works.

I am a good electrician (not the quickest out there if I'm honest) but I take my time and make sure it's right first time. I've seen many sparks who rush through jobs but they end up being messy and badly installed with many short-cuts taken. I prefer to take that little longer. I don't see it as a bad thing really as I care about the end result.
I had the opportunity to take the cover off a CU a colleague installed a few weeks back and was shocked at the state of how it had been done. Really messy. It's no wonder he can get through a CU upgrade in less than 2 hours with work like that. I just couldn't put my name to that sort of workmanship.

It's even more important when working for yourself I guess, customer MUST be happy.....

yous not the only one that's a bit slow. takes me almost 10 minutes to chase out a double box these days. but at least i have an excuse. geriatric and senile at 74. ???

 

[M-B-Electrical-Services]

yous not the only one that's a bit slow. takes me almost 10 minutes to chase out a double box these days. but at least i have an excuse. geriatric and senile at 74. ???

I'm senile at 42!!

 

[Mike Johnson]

yous not the only one that's a bit slow. takes me almost 10 minutes to chase out a double box these days. but at least i have an excuse. geriatric and senile at 74. ???

Why are you still chasing out box's at 74 you must be mad or very annoyed at least.