1st time alone - some advice please from proper white van sparks.

[maudy]

OK so the time has come.....

.....I've done all my quals (C+G, 17th, NVQ3 and 2391) had a 2/3 years (mostly site, commercial experience) and some domestic (council flats work) but now I'm out on my own.

I have found a PJ. Mid size (mostly lighting (downlighters arghhh)) that NEEDS certificating. Bonding needs doing and some other bits. So I'm going to have to go for it.

Can you guys give me some advice on:

Elecsa, Napit or NIC
Notifying work and the necessary inspections.
Pricing this job (I only went to have a look at it today but I think its mine if i'm sensible).

Anything else for a "sortof" newbie.

Also, a "do I need to change the board" question. Its a RCD main switch (ie all circuits protected by one 30ma rcd). The house has 2 floors...

Your advice would be appreciated

 

[plugsandsparks]

I have the full NAPIT insurance pack, for employers, public liability, prof indemnity and some tool insurance. Its not bad value all in as it can be hard to get prof on its own for a decent price.

 

[maudy]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all your suggestions and help. Been in contact with Elecsa (who want £700.00 from me) gonna need some insurance too. Better get to it.

 

[RISElectrical]

700?! What for? Thought elecsa were £444?

 

[plugsandsparks]

Being VAT registered especially for your first year will help reduce some of that pain.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

700?! What for? Thought elecsa were £444?

they are.....to gap30...you dont need to be part of a scheme to carry out EICRs!!....this is something that the part p providers have dreamed up.....to get more cash out of you....

 

[RISElectrical]

Ah the illusive £200+ to be able to carry out an EICR..... To the OP, seriously wouldn't bother with this. It basically only means that you can use elecsa logo'ed test certs which I believe you can you anyway (somebody will know better about this).

There is no requirement for scheme membership to carry out EICR. The only scheme that will be sometimes asked for IMO to carry out inspections is the NICEIC and this is only because some councils etc have this as a requirement. Commercially some insurance will also want NIC registered test sheets but this would be outside of domestic installer scope anyway and be NICEIC AC which will be £1000+ per year for that.

 

[maudy]

Ah the illusive £200+ to be able to carry out an EICR..... To the OP, seriously wouldn't bother with this. It basically only means that you can use elecsa logo'ed test certs which I believe you can you anyway (somebody will know better about this).

There is no requirement for scheme membership to carry out EICR. The only scheme that will be sometimes asked for IMO to carry out inspections is the NICEIC and this is only because some councils etc have this as a requirement. Commercially some insurance will also want NIC registered test sheets but this would be outside of domestic installer scope anyway and be NICEIC AC which will be £1000+ per year for that.

.

thanks guys,

This was the box i ticked that nearly cost me £200.00

Electrical Condition Reporting (formerly PIRs) Assessment (Optional) Please indicate below if you wish to be assessed for Electrical Condition Reporting (formerly known as PIRs).
Not being assessed in reporting does not prevent you from carrying out this type of work as long as your client is happy that you are competent to do so.
Being assessed to do this work does give you additional credibility with your customers. It's an optional extra at an additional cost of £240.00 + VAT and you can only undertake the assessment if:

• you have a City & Guilds 2391 qualification
• a copy of guidance note 3 and
• have undertaken a least 3 Electrical condition reports / PIRs and have 1 available for review

Electrical Condition Reporting / PIR Assessment required (please select): Yes No

So what you're saying is that I can do periodics (i have no paperwork preference) without ticking this box?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

.

thanks guys,

This was the box i ticked that nearly cost me £200.00

Electrical Condition Reporting (formerly PIRs) Assessment (Optional) Please indicate below if you wish to be assessed for Electrical Condition Reporting (formerly known as PIRs).
Not being assessed in reporting does not prevent you from carrying out this type of work as long as your client is happy that you are competent to do so.
Being assessed to do this work does give you additional credibility with your customers. It's an optional extra at an additional cost of £240.00 + VAT and you can only undertake the assessment if:

• you have a City & Guilds 2391 qualification
• a copy of guidance note 3 and
• have undertaken a least 3 Electrical condition reports / PIRs and have 1 available for review

Electrical Condition Reporting / PIR Assessment required (please select): Yes No

So what you're saying is that I can do periodics (i have no paperwork preference) without ticking this box?

that about the level of it...yes....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

i`m gettin a bit sick of this...with these part p providers......

 

[telectrix]

the only requirement you need to carry out PIRs/EICRs is that you are competent to do them. PI insurance is a virtual necessity.

 

[Andy78]

Exactly what benefits do the scheme providers say they offer for EICR registration? I've got to make a choice and sign up with one soon. Not gonna go for EICR but just curious to know how they justify the extra cost.

 

[gap30]

ok thanks for all replies, someone mentioned VAT registered but i have been told this is a headache to have the VAT people involved?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

ok thanks for all replies, someone mentioned VAT registered but i have been told this is a headache to have the VAT people involved?

if your just starting out....forget about being VAT registered.....i guess someone in here will now extoll the virtues of being VAT regd........lol...

 

[RISElectrical]

Headache yes but can help cash flow, can be a hindrance domestic wise as will put your prices 20% higher than a non vat spark however commercially wouldn't matter

 

[gap30]

ok seeing as i have always worked for firms, if i issue eicr's not through a scheme, i give the customer a copy and i always have a copy for myself on file or i email a copy to customer in case of any issues later on, i always need to have a master copy, the blank ones on the elecsa website seem ok

http://www.elecsa.co.uk/Documents/P...1-Amd1-Installation-Condition-Report-(1).aspx

or would you just go for tysoft easycert?