Charging for testing, certs and notification etc...

[muzza1]

Hello all, just a thought...
Could i ask if anyone ever charges for testing, certs and notification on top of general electrical install or do you allways include the above within the contract price for sockets, downlights, cu change etc...
Just wondered because sometimes that call all take up to half a days work on top of everything else!
Cheers...

 

[Leesparkykent]

Hello all, just a thought...
Could i ask if anyone ever charges for testing, certs and notification on top of general electrical install or do you allways include the above within the contract price for sockets, downlights, cu change etc...
Just wondered because sometimes that call all take up to half a days work on top of everything else!
Cheers...

Factor the time in to your quote... You are a business.

 

[Octopus]

When I am quoting for notifiable work, I include a line on the estimate and a £10 charge to confirm that the certificate and LABC notice will be done.

I have done this for years and nobody has ever questioned it.

When doing EICR's I charge for a day and tell the client I will be onsite for about 5-6 hours - then the remainder of the day is for doing the write up at home - nobody has ever questioned this.

Admin is part of being a "proper" spark and as such you should factor this time and overhead into your quotes...

 

[muzza1]

Cheers Gents, good to hear your opinions. I agree with your point about having good admin, just with the dreaded scam subscription coming up soon am trying to really get on top of the financial side of things. Sometimes i find doing the install is a piece of cake (tbh i find the paperwork side a pain but i suppose it has to be done) Had my mft and my bosch 110 robbed from my van the other night which hasn't helped matters. Thanks again.

 

[muzza1]

Cheers Murdoch, thanks for your info. I often get enquires about eicr's but never do them as i wouldn't be able to handle all the paperwork and trying to explain the codes etc to the customer would be tricky as they only want a cert to say satisfactory!
A friend of mine sometimes deducts 50% of the price of the eicr from the final bill after completing the relavent "minor works" and he's happy doing it that way.
Taken a few days off this week, but we never really take time off , do we! lol

 

[Skimpy Wan]

When I am quoting for notifiable work, I include a line on the estimate and a £10 charge to confirm that the certificate and LABC notice will be done....

So are you not with a scheme (I mean scam) Murdoch? I say this as I thought you only notified LABC if you weren't under a scheme? (Sorry if it's a stupid question, but I subbie for a company who is NICEIC registered, so not had the need to notify any work as yet).

 

[andyb]

You still have to notify Skimpy, the difference is that you notify through your scheme provider and not direct.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

You still have to notify Skimpy, the difference is that you notify through your scheme provider and not direct.

That's my point (sorry if that wasn't clear as I thought a direct LABC submission was a couple of hundred pounds?)

I'm confused at what Murdoch's wording & £10 fee is for then if it comes under a scheme submission anyway. Wouldn't that just be swallowed up in the total cost?

 

[muzza1]

That's my point (sorry if that wasn't clear as I thought a direct LABC submission was a couple of hundred pounds?)

I'm confused at what Murdoch's wording & £10 fee is for then if it comes under a scheme submission anyway. Wouldn't that just be swallowed up in the total cost?

I believe Murdoch is registered with a scam provider, he just states on his estimate an extra tenner to cover cost of a few certs and to notify (a small extra charge we all have to pay when notifying every job)
Tbh i might have chosen a different trade if i knew i'd have to stump up near £600 per year to call myself a registered sparks.

 

[Octopus]

So are you not with a scheme (I mean scam) Murdoch? I say this as I thought you only notified LABC if you weren't under a scheme? (Sorry if it's a stupid question, but I subbie for a company who is NICEIC registered, so not had the need to notify any work as yet).

I'm with a scheme.

I add my Stroma number on the estimate too, so if the potential client want to look me up they can...

The £10 charge is so they can see the "cost" - I include more in the overall price so the £10 is to avoid people saying "can I save £xx by not doing this"!

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Oh okay, that makes more sense to me now. Thanks for clarifying it's for the scheme fees rather than a very cheap rate to register direct to the LABC - therefore you're losing out massively each time you reported a job!

 

[muzza1]

Just a thought, (not wanting to go into the crazy part p debate), but do you know roughly what percentage of trading contractors agree with paying the fees every year? (which basically allow you to work)

 

[Octopus]

Oh okay, that makes more sense to me now. Thanks for clarifying it's for the scheme fees rather than a very cheap rate to register direct to the LABC - therefore you're losing out massively each time you reported a job!

How ????

I've got 4 or 5 LABC's I work in so trying to register with all them would be a logistical nightmare. £288 to Stroma makes good business sense UNLIKE nearly £500 for Elecsa

 

[muzza1]

Crazy difference in price, makes no sense nearly £300 difference.
Has part p been good for us sparks and customers?

 

[Skimpy Wan]

How ????

I've got 4 or 5 LABC's I work in so trying to register with all them would be a logistical nightmare. £288 to Stroma makes good business sense UNLIKE nearly £500 for Elecsa

Sorry, I was meaning why were you charging £10 to register each job with LABC, when it is more like £200 per job, per council. Therefore you were doing yourself out of pocket if you weren't with a scam.

I needed to clarify myself more. Sorry