DIYers/Builders...when will it end

[J&M Electrical]

How much longer are Builder and DIY'ers going to carry on 'de-valuing' our trade. It seems the more i read on here and the more i see out on site DIY electrics are getting more and more common. It winds me up that we go to college for 3/4 Years to get a qualification that enables us to work safely yet every Tom Dick and Harry can go into B&Q/Screwfix etc buy some cable and sockets, have a quick look at a diagram B&Q have kindly put up for them and then go home and bodge their electrics. The Gas lads seem to be starting to get it sorted but we haven't. Personally the only way i think this will stop is to give every qualified electrician a card similar to the Gas Safe card and make it law that electrical items can only be sold to people who hold this card. Am i on my own or do others feel the same? Sorry to rant but it makes my blood boil.

 

[oldtimer]

you want a food shop.... thats where cash is

No I am not greedy 5 numbers and a bonus ball please

 

[mickys86]

Coffee shop, they make a fortune in profits......

Grass is always greener!!!

 

[i=p/u]

i am and want 5 and two stars

 

[Edd]

The situation is not helped, by some members here, who hand out information to absolutely anyone.

Lowers head in shame.. I just get carred away and enjoy thinking through peoples problems...
Now wheres that book on gas fitting......

seriously though I should think more about who I give advice too

 

[Adam W]

Coffee shop, they make a fortune in profits......

Grass is always greener!!!

I reckon dentistry is where the money is at - OK you have to pay some fit bird to stand next to you and write stuff down, and a grumpy bird to sit behind a desk being rude to people, but £30 for a quick checkup? Dick Turpin, mask etc!
There seems to be a 'massive skills shortage' as well - most of the dentists around here are fully booked.
I wonder if I can do a 5 week distance learning dentistry course...

 

[piratebillybob]

hairdressing is where its at. £15 for a 15 minute hair cut? No wonder i shave my own head

 

[i=p/u]

is their much work around edinburgh old timer, i moved there once , set two steps in the jobs centre and new was a waste of time.. very long waiting times to vacancy closes.. loda ......

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Wow this post is certanly getting the comments

Also I kiss my gold card and put it under the pillow every night

not too old to be hoping for the goldcard fairy then.....

 

[Knobhead]

Out of interest if you manage to control the sale of electrical equipment, how do I go and buy what I need for a job at home. Do I have to take all my qualifications along with me? I’m not, nor would I ever be a member of a scam (sorry scheme).
One disadvantage of finishing work is I can’t float stuff through on the back of orders as I had for thirty + years before. (Two 6 way 200A RedSpot boards and a Wylex consumer unit must have looked a bit odd).
Gas fittings are readily on sale along with the electrical gear. I’ve just bought some to put my new cooker in.
Be realistic, how can it be controlled?

 

[alarm man]

Dick mask etc!

ive always closed my eyes when getting my teeth done..never again..thought it felt big for a drill...:rockstar:

 

[mickys86]

I reckon dentistry is where the money is at - OK you have to pay some fit bird to stand next to you and write stuff down, and a grumpy bird to sit behind a desk being rude to people, but £30 for a quick checkup? Dick Turpin, mask etc!
There seems to be a 'massive skills shortage' as well - most of the dentists around here are fully booked.
I wonder if I can do a 5 week distance learning dentistry course...

You've definitely trumped me there. I had a check up and clean the other day. Hygienist and dentist - £88!!!

 

[mickys86]

hairdressing is where its at. £15 for a 15 minute hair cut? No wonder i shave my own head

And I ain't tellin you how much I pay for My hair..... Less than the £1 a minute your quoting thou.....

 

[GLENNSPARK]

let em bloody carry on i say....then we have to go put it right for em......

 

[Golden_Boy]

Out of interest if you manage to control the sale of electrical equipment, how do I go and buy what I need for a job at home. Do I have to take all my qualifications along with me? I’m not, nor would I ever be a member of a scam (sorry scheme).
One disadvantage of finishing work is I can’t float stuff through on the back of orders as I had for thirty + years before. (Two 6 way 200A RedSpot boards and a Wylex consumer unit must have looked a bit odd).
Gas fittings are readily on sale along with the electrical gear. I’ve just bought some to put my new cooker in.
Be realistic, how can it be controlled?

This is not confined to the UK.
In Australia ( where i used to live ) I was often asked to look at fixed wiring problems even though I had NO tickets at all connected to installation/inspection or testing. I repaired televisions for a living in those days. Even with the very tight laws there re supply of electical items to the public I NEVER had any trouble getting hold of whatever kit I needed.
In this country we will never control the sale of anything as long as the sellers make a few bob....

 

[imago]

Nothing like a spot of deceased equine flogging!

Computer software should only be sold to programmers, HMRC should only talk to accountants, an MOT test should only be carried out for a mechanic accompanying the car, food should only be prepared by people with a hygene certificate, asprin should only be prescribed by a doctor, etc etc etc.

Electricians or Orwellians?

I have seen some awful work by DIYers, but it's no worse than the awful work I have seen carried out by time served qualified electricians. It's the way the world is. You'll have to learn to accept it though, because you should only ever have one skill and do one job from leaving school. So you can't leave now.