DIY Forum

[LeeH]

Just found out I'm not allowed post in the DIY section.

 

[Marvo]

Just found out I'm not allowed post in the DIY section.

The DIY section access is given on an opt-in basis. If you'd like to be able to post there please send me a pm requesting access and I'll sort it out for you.

 

[micknew]

Nor am I.

 

[Andy78]

If someone promised to write advice for the DIY section I can assure you it wasn't me. I have no domestic electrical qualification and I have almost no knowledge of the UK regs.

No it wasn't you. I was referring to the sticky in the DIY forum started by Dan 3 months back and never finished. I remember it being discussed and agreed in a separate thread that guidance would be needed to be available for DIYers regarding safety, legal implications, testing etc...

The DIY forum was hardly a knee-jerk reaction by the staff, it was something that was months in the making and was wanted by a clear majority of those members who were vocal on the subject.

I don't understand why you feel it's wrong to offer DIY'ers advice. Do you have the same loathing for companies like Haynes who make car manuals that are specifically pitched at non-professionals?

I have no problem with people doing DIY electrics, I positively encourage certain jobs to be done by householders, I would not have chosen to join the DIY forum otherwise. However most jobs require testing and certification, some jobs require notification, and nearly all jobs require guidance on safe working practices. I am not against the DIY forum, just the way it is implemented.

Done. If you change your mind let me know.

Thanks

 

[LeeH]

The DIY section access is given on an opt-in basis. If you'd like to be able to post there please send me a pm requesting access and I'll sort it out for you.

Thanks Marvo but I'm not fussed really.

 

[Marvo]

No probs Lee and Mick, the DIY forum isn't everyone's cup of tea.

No it wasn't you. I was referring to the sticky in the DIY forum started by Dan 3 months back and never finished. I remember it being discussed and agreed in a separate thread that guidance would be needed to be available for DIYers regarding safety, legal implications, testing etc...

I have no problem with people doing DIY electrics, I positively encourage certain jobs to be done by householders, I would not have chosen to join the DIY forum otherwise. However most jobs require testing and certification, some jobs require notification, and nearly all jobs require guidance on safe working practices. I am not against the DIY forum, just the way it is implemented.

Ahh, I see where you were going, I didn't realise there was an unfinished sticky. I'll see if I can prompt the right people to get it completed.

 

[MDJ]

I don't understand why you feel it's wrong to offer DIY'ers advice. .

Really? well I wouldn't want to be responsible for someones death if they became an enthusiast and did something wrong. That's the whole point about that forum surely so only those who feel they can give advice need go near it?

 

[Engineer54]

If you want to see Scary, have a read through some of the threads in ''Electrical Courses Feedback'' Forum!!

There, you will find just what's coming into this industry under the guise of ''Electricians''!!
One guy in there thinks he is the ''bee's knees'' after his 5 Weeks, and of course uses the fact that the scam he is registered with, has assessed him as such too. Thinks there is no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to work in any sector as an employee either!!!!!

Now if that isn't more scary than anything in the DIY forum, i don't know what is!!

 

[richy3333]

Why would Admin be writing advice stickys? That was never part of the deal. If you want to write some then go ahead.


The DIY forum is deliberately opt-in, if you want to be opted out just let me know and I'll do it for you.


As for the legal implications, the forum terms and conditions are here. Everyone on the forum with posting permissions has implicitly agreed to the T&C's when they joined. Included in there and right at the top is a paragraph; It is important to note that all comments on this website are uncorroborated therefore should not be seen as fact but simply the opinion of the person posting the message.

Hi Marvo.
In UK law you cannot contract out of death or bodily injury per the Unfair Contract Terms Act, so unless the T&C's have been signed off as being OK by a contract law solicitor then I very much doubt they's hold up in a UK court, particularly if the forum is pitching a section specifically to DIY'ers.

 

[richy3333]

If you want to see Scary, have a read through some of the threads in ''Electrical Courses Feedback'' Forum!!

There, you will find just what's coming into this industry under the guise of ''Electricians''!!
One guy in there thinks he is the ''bee's knees'' after his 5 Weeks, and of course uses the fact that the scam he is registered with, has assessed him as such too. Thinks there is no reason why he shouldn't be allowed to work in any sector as an employee either!!!!!

Now if that isn't more scary than anything in the DIY forum, i don't know what is!!

There's lots of scary things about the UK industry and I doubt none of them will ever get fixed on this forum, is at all...

 

[Guitarist]

Deleted

 

[overskilled]

One question: How many people in the UK have ever been sued for advice given on a forum?

I think the likelihood of a successful argument in court is tenuous at best....

 

[Engineer54]

There's lots of scary things about the UK industry and I doubt none of them will ever get fixed on this forum, if at all...

I'm just glad i won't be around to see any of it!! It's you're industry now, i suggest you all look after it or you'll soon become persona non grata, (or whatever it is) and treated as such, by employers and customs alike!!

 

[Marvo]

DIY has been around as long as the women who nag their husbands into doing it....ie for centuries. It's not going away an the internet will be the place most head for when they need advice. They're just trying to improve their lot and with some good advice they shouldn't be harming anyone and there's been numerous over the years who've used other forum members who've tried to help them to actually do the work for them.

 

[overskilled]

I've posted help elsewhere and more than a few have decided once they have gotten help....to get a spark in as they frequently take off faceplates and go "oh" or realise doing xyz means crawling under floors or through lofts etc......