Branching out to the domestic world

[evorg88]

Hi all,
Just after a bit of advice...
Time-served (Elec/Mech), 18th edition, 2392 Initial Verification, 12 years experience in industrial environment with experience in domestic work along the way.
Looking at starting to build up a bit of a client-base/reputation in the domestic world with the intention of making the leap when the time is right.
Just wondering what advice any of you could offer with regards to this route.
The main thing is whether I should aim to join an approved contractor scheme straight away? The cost of the membership feels a bit of gamble at this point as I don’t know whether I’ll earn enough to justify it. Would you recommend sticking to small (non-notifiable) jobs for now?
Hoping some of you have some experience in this route and could offer some advice.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Andy78]

You might find it hard to build up a decent customer base and reputation without being able to offer notifiable jobs. You might find yourself lumped into handyman territory.
If you think that you won't earn enough to justify the scheme fees to facilitate notifiable work then how about insurance, tools, test equipment, transport etc ? It's a costly do to do it properly.

 

[tony clark]

try stroma they are cheaper than the bigs boys as long as you can show them at least one install i think they cost about £280 a year sometimes niceic will offer you a deal to jump ship could be a possible route for you

 

[daniel1979]

try stroma they are cheaper than the bigs boys as long as you can show them at least one install i think they cost about £280 a year sometimes niceic will offer you a deal to jump ship could be a possible route for you

Can you still join Stroma?? I was looking to join a scheme myself and pondered the NICEIC or cheaper Stroma option for what looks like too long. I believe Stroma Certification have now been taken over by NAPIT.

 

[evorg88]

Thanks for your quick replies!
I see what you mean about the handyman territory. That’s obviously my main worry - not being able to offer certain jobs without having the benefit of scheme membership.
Tools, test equipment and transport I have already and I know insurance is a must.
Stroma is obviously the favourite due to the reduced fee (obviously if it’s still possible to join them).
I was just interested to see how other people started out and whether it’s a must to join a scheme straight away.
Thanks again

 

[Dustydazzler]

To really make a decent fist of a domestic electrician start-up you will to bite the bullet and join a scam...

 

[remedial]

You cant join stroma right now. I was told to call back in November. At which point i expect their phone number to redirect to napit

 

[daniel1979]

You cant join stroma right now. I was told to call back in November. At which point i expect their phone number to redirect to napit

Yeah I went on their website with the intention of joining last night. So current options are NICEIC or NAPIT?? I was leaning towards Stroma due to the cheaper cost. If NAPITS fees are approaching NICEICs then should I go with the most well known?
Hope the OP doesn't mind me asking this here, will start a new thread if needed.

 

[evorg88]

Yeah I went on their website with the intention of joining last night. So current options are NICEIC or NAPIT?? I was leaning towards Stroma due to the cheaper cost. If NAPITS fees are approaching NICEICs then should I go with the most well known?
Hope the OP doesn't mind me asking this here, will start a new thread if needed.

Help yourself mate, you’ve saved me asking the question!

 

[remedial]

I think the base price for napit is now the same as niceic. So yeah i was thinking the same. may as well go with the best known

 

[Dustydazzler]

Niceic domestic installer is probably the most common in my area

 

[Midwest]

I was with Elecsa, part of the Certsure plot. Good technical, good online certification. If your doing domestic stuff in England & Wales, being in a scheme is a necessity.

However, its cutthroat in the domestic market, with prospective clients expecting works carried out at rock-bottom prices. They don't care about scheme membership etc. The only way forward is to have an 'in' with other trades, Kitchen & Bathroom installers, builders etc. Have you got any of those links?

Think carefully, before burning any bridges you currently have.

 

[daniel1979]

If NAPITS fees are approaching NICEICs then should I go with the most well known?

If I'm reading the website correctly it looks like NAPIT is still a fair bit cheaper than NICEIC. Am I right in thinking the NAPIT equivalent of the NIC Approved contractor would be the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification??? If so the EAS is £455+VAT against the approved NICEIC cost of £970+VAT (initial assessment fee plus initial registration)

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

If I'm reading the website correctly it looks like NAPIT is still a fair bit cheaper than NICEIC. Am I right in thinking the NAPIT equivalent of the NIC Approved contractor would be the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification??? If so the EAS is £455+VAT against the approved NICEIC cost of £970+VAT (initial assessment fee plus initial registration)

It also depends on the time of year you join with the AC NICEIC fees. the key is join later in the year and it works out a bit cheaper.