A little help starting my own company

[J-Spark]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I am losing the will to live and would very much appreciate any help anyone can give.
I am a qualified electrician who has undertaken a full apprenticeship. I will list my qualifications a little later on in the post.
I have Worked my entire working career in the electrical industry working for a company that mainly works in commercial and light industrial installations. I have recently been furloughed and am trying to make a go of starting my own company but starting as a sole trader trying to get local work which I understand will mainly be domestic which I have a fair knowledge of.

Everywhere I look most domestic work is notifiable under part P which is causing me an issue as I haven't got a clue how you go about notifying the notifiable work. Sadly even though completing an apprenticeship this isn't something you are taught.
I would Join the NICEIC or NAPIT but at this moment in time its not viable as I'm not sure with the amount of competition in the area if there will be enough work to cover the cost.

The Following are my qualifications:
JIB Gold Card Holder - Completed AM2
NVQ Level 3 Diploma installing Electrotechnical Systems and equipment (BSE)
BS7671:2018 Wiring regulations
City and Guilds 2391-50 Initial verification of electrical installations
City and Guilds 2391-51 Periodic inspection and testing of electrical installations

I am really struggling with all the different conflicting information and as someone who has gone through a 4 year aprentiship cant believe I'm this far into my career and don't know this. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Read and digest: https://assets.publishing.service.g...achment_data/file/441872/BR_PDF_AD_P_2013.pdf

 

[timhoward]

In brief domestic work is only notifiable if it involves a brand new circuit, CU change, or work in a special location (bathroom)
You can do quite a lot of jobs without needing to notify.
The options for notifying the other jobs are joining a scheme (will PM you later about that) or finding someone local who can do third party notifications for you.
You are well qualified- get public liability insurance and go for it!

 

[J-Spark]

Read and digest: https://assets.publishing.service.g...achment_data/file/441872/BR_PDF_AD_P_2013.pdf

Thank you for the information

 

[J-Spark]

In brief domestic work is only notifiable if it involves a brand new circuit, CU change, or work in a special location (bathroom)
You can do quite a lot of jobs without needing to notify.
The options for notifying the other jobs are joining a scheme (will PM you later about that) or finding someone local who can do third party notifications for you.
You are well qualified- get public liability insurance and go for it!

Thank you for the information it is much appreciated.

 

[timhoward]

Thank you for the information it is much appreciated.

No worries - See in particular pages 13 and 14 of the document Mike posted.

 

[telectrix]

as above. smaller jobs are not notifiable. download part p from planning portal for a detailed list. and remember part p is a building regulation, not a qualification so don't let anyone persuade you to take a course in it for £££££££s' , (pm sent).

 

[telectrix]

one thing to get right is pricing. bear in mind that you will average 40 weeks a year earning, so base your weekly wage requirements on annual wage/40. then add overheads which will be around £100 -£150 for a 1 man concern. from that you can estimate a day/hourly rate. for London this should be around £60 + per hour minimum. dustydazz ids better to advise on rates as he's down there.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Another thing to get right, never ask anyone to do something you don't know how to do yourself.

 

[Dustydazzler]

one thing to get right is pricing. bear in mind that you will average 40 weeks a year earning, so base your weekly wage requirements on annual wage/40. then add overheads which will be around £100 -£150 for a 1 man concern. from that you can estimate a day/hourly rate. for London this should be around £60 + per hour minimum. dustydazz ids better to advise on rates as he's down there.

most London based sparks that I know are in the £90ph ball park if you are talking hourly rate for small jobs that you haven’t surveyed / emergency call outs etc

if it’s all planned jobs, booked in advance and you know exactly what you are getting yourself into as in you have survey the existing installation then £65ph would be a very competitive rate and get you plenty of work

 

[pc1966]

My own rule-of-thumb is you need to charge about double what you need to earn to allow for times you don't have work/can't fit it in, overheads like scheme and insurance costs and equipment calibration, etc, and for the risk of non-payment.

So assuming you want a pre-tax income of £40k/year, for around 235 working days in a year that is £170/day so you should be starting at around £340/day or about £68/hour assuming 5 hours/day is practical allowing for transport, etc.

For London add a bit more!

 

[WallaceP]

I cant comment of part P but be prepared to be constantly buying van stock. It’s important to have all the little parts that mean you dont need an impromptu trip to the wholesalers which can really ruin a day. As for pricing dont be shy and remind customers what you are offering, professionalism, reliability and a warranty.
All the best with it!

 

[Mike Johnson]

Every trip to the wholesaler is chargeable at an hourly rate, or even a day rate if it runs into another day.

 

[J-Spark]

Thanks for the help to everyone who has replied its much appreciated and I am working on getting my name out there as i am new to the area.

 

[WallaceP]

Thanks for the help to everyone who has replied its much appreciated and I am working on getting my name out there as i am new to the area.

Community facebook groups or buy sell swap pages are really good free advertising especially if your new to an area. Good luck