Domestic Installer Training

[Enduro73]

Hi guys
Anyone done the domestic installer course withe Electrical Courses 4 You?

I'm a self employed kitchen fitter looking to do the course. I'm only interested in what's required for my kitchens, not full rewire etc.
I fully understand that I will be very limited in knowledge gained by these courses, but i simply just want to limit myself to what's required for my kitchens. The biggest jobs that will occur is the consumer unit change and upgrading the earth bonding, I know there the most important.
With my knowledge being limited, should I survey a kitchen and think I could potentially hit a snag, I would book an electrician. One of my old electricians whom I'm friends with has offered to be a helpline and even bail me out if things go ---- up.

I know these courses get slated for teaching slap dash cowboys that don't care about their quality of work or their customers. I'm not like that, I'm overly conscientious. This is one reason of wanting to do it myself, sparks I've used don't think like me and I've had enough. I dare say there are amazing sparkies out there but I've had no luck.
Reading about me and my work, do you guys think it's worth me doing?

The money I would spend I would get back in 12 months, so cost isn't an issue.
The course supplier is Electrical Courses For You.

Thanks for any help or beatings.

 

[Midwest]

Flipping text.
Meant that it doesn't pay for me to take a day just so he has a clear run.
Although I did last week and had to chop the cooker hood supply over the freshly plastered wall by 50mm. My black marker must be invisible.

I don't understand your working procedures. Each part of the first & second fix needs to follow a procedure. Pointless having the painter in before the plasterer.

 

[Andy78]

I'm surprised you haven't just come to an arrangement with a local electrician whereby you chase in the cables and he comes along later to connect it up, test and sign off. That sort of thing is undoubtedly frowned upon by many but in the real world it happens a lot and is a reasonable compromise for all involved

I encountered a kitchen fitter lately that took that approach with his sparky. He had no idea about cable calcs and derating factors but was being left to design and first fix before his sparky tested and signed off.
He was actually quite shocked his sparky mate had not told him any of this and was worried when I told him what a concern all those cables he had been stuffing in insulated walls could be.

 

[Enduro73]

Midwest, I have procedures not sure why you think otherwise.
I simply work with the electrician, he's doing his bit whilst I'm doing mine.
I'm simply saying I don't leave site just so the sparky has a clear room. This would make the installation longer for no good reason.

 

[Midwest]

Not how I worked.

Basic model, came in on the day when old units etc being ripped out, safely disconnecting old stuff as required.

Did my first fix, plasterer followed me, often then by painter (for mist coat), then flooring guy if that was being fitted. I’d then come back do most of my 2nd fix, painter might follow to finish.

Only then would the kitchen installers come along to install the kitchen. They would of been busy elsewhere. There were occasions when I 2nd fixed when the kitchen was being installed, very rare, and mostly to install fixed appliances.

Everyone trying to work in one place at the same time, is just poor practice.

 

[Enduro73]

So the only difference is the 2nd fix. Sparky likes to 2nd fix and connect appliances all in one, not 2nd fix then coming back again to connect appliances, which I'm happy with. Doesn't make sense for him to keep coming back.
Sometimes sockets go in cabinets, that'll be hard with no units fitted. Not unless you fit above counter fuse spurs for every appliance which looks awful with switches everywhere.

 

[Midwest]

Not really. I can more easily 2nd fix without wall and floor units in the way; appliances & cupboard sockets etc I would do after or just as they were finishing off.

You run your business how you want to. When I was doing it, it made sense for not everyone to be working in one space; you’d just get in each other’s way.

I don’t see this concept as a reason to do the electrical work yourself.

 

[Enduro73]

Fair enough mate each to their own I suppose. I don't do other jobs where I can leave site and work, so walking away when mr sparks is in doesn't pay.
It is an option I suppose if I take on day jobs, but not much work is a day job. Plastering isn't always required, so even less reason to walk away.