Feel like I'm being used

[lofty84]

Just a quick question really how much is the going rate for connecting a shower up (the cable was already run so I just had to terminate it) installing a bathroom light and pull cord and wiring up a switched fused spur for a towel radiator, next was putting in an earthrod to earth these 2 new circuits and then installing a new 2 way board for the circuits, I had to move the meter do new tails and take a new earth to the water pipe, I just wondered how much one would charge for that ad I got the handsome sum of 57 pounds which when I minus my petrol money a 60 mile round trip probably leaves me with 50 quid if that. How much would he have charged do u think min

Thankyou

 

[saudkhan]

when i started initially for my self i was charging a lot less you only live and learn

 

[gaulty]

Lofty your 28 years old and you sound like an idiot"I never tested because I don't have a tester""I never knew moving the meter was illegal"You have your 17th edition and you're quite happy to do half a job no wonder the guy pays u peanuts the both of you's sound like cowboys. How can you go part p if u havent even completed ur trade test? No AM2 means your not fully qualified yet your quite happy to rewire houses "sub contracted" moan about the price but u haven't even tested the job.Wise up u'd be better getting an office job somewhere.

 

[mountainman]

Getting similar threads over on the Gas and Plumbing forums.

It seems my ambitions of becoming a qualified spark after a six week course and earning 50k a year ma be over ambitios.

 

[mickys86]

Lofty your 28 years old and you sound like an idiot"I never tested because I don't have a tester""I never knew moving the meter was illegal"You have your 17th edition and you're quite happy to do half a job no wonder the guy pays u peanuts the both of you's sound like cowboys. How can you go part p if u havent even completed ur trade test? No AM2 means your not fully qualified yet your quite happy to rewire houses "sub contracted" moan about the price but u haven't even tested the job.Wise up u'd be better getting an office job somewhere.

Exactly what I was thinking. Just didn't want to say it. Someone earlier bravely offered him a job for a few weeks. Seems the best option!

 

[mickys86]

Getting similar threads over on the Gas and Plumbing forums.

It seems my ambitions of becoming a qualified spark after a six week course and earning 50k a year ma be over ambitios.

It really doesn't matter what job you do, experience is crucial. McDonald's seems like an easy job, everyone used to tell me when I was younger 'you'll be flipping burgers at mcdonalds' . Doesn't mean I could walk in with a couple of days training and just start work no problem.

 

[pwsincd]

No AM2 means your not fully qualified .

absolute rubbish.

 

[lofty84]

Alright gaulty whilst I obviously dont agree with what you saying fair play for saying what you think so respect there at least your not ----- footing about like micky86. Ps I have tested but they didn't leave me a tester and they haven't ever let me do it as I'm say I think in just cheap labour. What am I supposed to do. Marvo we will have to agree to disagree I know 100 percent that with a bit more experience my business would be a great success. The business side of it is in the bag its just the slight lack of knowledge in some things on the electrical side but I've only got to be shown things once for them sink in.


This is what I'm up against this guy who I did this work for trusted me enough to do the instillation but I'm guessing only because his other guy was unable to do it and instead of loose anypotentilla work/money I was asked to do it. 9/10 when I work for him I'm doing all the loft insulation removal and chasing which I don't actually mind as at least you get to make a nice neat hole for the back box and chase for the cables. He trained another guy who also gives me the odd days work here and there depending on how busy he is he's actually a city and guilds Assesor now and he doesn't even trust me enough to do bits and bobs for him and his guys because I might put the wrong color sleeveing on a switch line cable or cpc. On one job my mate his sunny had to go to the top of a ladder to clip some cables down a slopping roof this guy is an absolute perfectionist and one of my jobs was to foot the ladder, I said to this guy that I can do more then this and his opinion was he was not sure I was a bit insulted by this lol and we exchanged words but I didn't burn my bridges with him which is handy really as he said he will help me with my Nvq it I get stuck (nice one if your reading) anyway after telling me how important this job actually is I don't doubt it for the guy up the ladder and after exchanging words he went on to say that how can he trust me to do more when the client at one of the jobs (the one where I was holding the ladder) said all I was doing was standin about well yes on that particular day evening I was I think I got 60 for a 12 hr day that day so **** knows how much he charged me out for. When people just want to make money how can guys like me expect to get to do the good stuff as the saying goes time is money. How can I expect to buy a tester 800 quid when I'm on 50 a day after tax the. I've got to find rent and general living expenses

 

[RISElectrical]

I know 100 percent that with a bit more experience my business would be a great success. The business side of it is in the bag

No offence but I would question that, if you business side of things were to be "in the bag" as you said, then you wouldnt be in this situation. The first rule of business is to clear your overheads and make a wage, hopefully also making a profit. Its about having contractual structure in place to ensure this and prevent exactly what your post is highlighting. Like I said this isnt meant in offence but more as a pointer as to the direction you need to be heading in.

 

[Guitarist]

How can I expect to buy a tester 800 quid when I'm on 50 a day after tax the. I've got to find rent and general living expenses

You should have the tester before you even START to carry out electrical work. You can't simply hope that the builder provides one for you.

 

[lofty84]

I guess all we can do is see where I am in 2 years time im fairly confident the new guy I work for is spot on I'm paid fairly on time and the CIS voucher is there without having to ask for it, he also gives me a nice variety of work and lets me do testing so I think it all comes down to luck at the end of the satin wether you get in with a good guy or a bad guy. If the offers still


There big foot I would love to have another sparky I work

 

[JS_Electric]

it depends upon the work done. I would have charged about 2 times that at least!

​

 

[Octopus]

Alright gaulty whilst I obviously dont agree with what you saying fair play for saying what you think so I know 100 percent that with a bit more experience my business would be a great success. The business side of it is in the bag its just the slight lack of knowledge in some things on the electrical side but I've only got to be shown things once for them sink in.

Not wishing to pick a fight, but if you are being "used" as you describe what make you think that "the business side is in the bag"??

Running a successful business is more tricky than saving up enough money to buy a £800 tester. I'd start by doing a business budget and see how much you really need to spend to get up and running and I suspect it'll be north of £5000

 

[saudkhan]

I run my own business, there are lot of people out there who is willing to use people to suit there means, in time you will learn from what they tell you, I always on my guard now i take what ever they say with a pinch of salt. the reason i am still trading is always be upfront with people/client if they try to screw the price down they can find someone else it is better not to do the work then to do it out of pocket.

 

[lofty84]

Dont worry Murdoch as I say we will see where I am in a few years time. I will build my kit up and continue to gain the necessary experience before timing it right for a launch. I am 110% certain that I will be a brilliant sparky with a sucessfull company and if I end up taking anyone on then they will be looked after and treated properly.

 

[Digster]

Liar!!