Is it worth being mcs certified

[lost-sole]

i was talking to a guy who had a stand at chatsworth show and he was telling me how it is really kicking off so i got to thinking about it over the weekend and having being a ELECSA member for a couple of years maybe adding it on, but iam completely shocked at the prices being charged. Firstly i would have to do a course about £700 then about £750 pa for my part p and mcs. It really pi**es me off having to pay part p every year but this as well. Do i really need it, I know if grants are are available then yes but these mcs registered firms over charge, i would be looking at doing it half their price therefore saving the customer more money or iam i talking SH**

 

[BruceB]

Have a look at some other threads on similar subjects. Realistically it is many, many thousands rather than hundreds in order to set yourself up properly as a MCS installer. There is no way you would succeed in the business at half the price, you will not even buy the bits for that! As a MCS installer you are making a big financial commitment and take quite large financial risks. If it goes wrong then it can mean scaffolding up again to get near to the problem. Have a look at the current thread "Help with fault?" if you want to see a potential nightmare.

 

[Worcester]

And then don't forget the 18 hour days, and all the paperwork

Just called one of my sparks (9pm) and it was like "it's 9pm . I'm at home, I don't do work at this time, why are you calling me ..." well we do in the MCS game!

 

[JD6400]

And then don't forget the 18 hour days, and all the paperwork

Just called one of my sparks (9pm) and it was like "it's 9pm . I'm at home, I don't do work at this time, why are you calling me ..." well we do in the MCS game!

We are just running the solar along side our usual contracting work so are doing no way near as many installs as Worcester , but i hear exactly what is being said , i aim to have this DNO application wrapped up by about 2am then maybe look at one of the other ones before up at 6.30 to drive the 130 miles to to office and another 2 solar quotes tomorrow !
Easy , No mate !
The paper work will finish you and as for the cost's !!!!!!!!!!!
If they even just get a whiff that you are involved in solar , it either means the price has just gone up by at least a third or you are swamped by every snake oil sales man within 50 miles trying to peddle some form of ****e that you can not do with out if you " Do Solar" .
Sorry to disillusion you fella but if i had my time again . I would be OUT !

 

[SRE]

i was talking to a guy who had a stand at chatsworth show and he was telling me how it is really kicking off so i got to thinking about it over the weekend and having being a ELECSA member for a couple of years maybe adding it on, but iam completely shocked at the prices being charged. Firstly i would have to do a course about £700 then about £750 pa for my part p and mcs. It really pi**es me off having to pay part p every year but this as well. Do i really need it, I know if grants are are available then yes but these mcs registered firms over charge, i would be looking at doing it half their price therefore saving the customer more money or iam i talking SH**

:banghead: To be blunt - you're talking **** but I mean that in the nicest possible way. When I have time - I get really p****d off with people who think the cost of pv is down to installers overcharging and that they will jump on the solar gravy train. It's a stimulating business to be in but you need major cash backup, loads of time and nerves of steel.

If you don't mind the risks and are prepared to invest both financially and in time then the reward is a reasonable business - the problem is it's all or nothing. Once you're half way through you realise all the other things that you need that all cost £500 here and £500 there you can't run the business without them and you've spent a fortune getting half way so you can't back out otherwise you've wasted your investment.

 

[keefy]

:banghead: To be blunt - you're talking **** but I mean that in the nicest possible way. When I have time - I get really p****d off with people who think the cost of pv is down to installers overcharging and that they will jump on the solar gravy train. It's a stimulating business to be in but you need major cash backup, loads of time and nerves of steel.

If you don't mind the risks and are prepared to invest both financially and in time then the reward is a reasonable business - the problem is it's all or nothing. Once you're half way through you realise all the other things that you need that all cost £500 here and £500 there you can't run the business without them and you've spent a fortune getting half way so you can't back out otherwise you've wasted your investment.

I couldn't agree more with this. But along side the cost its getting the lazy sh***s at your accreditation body to get off their backsides and process the reams of paperwork you spent all hours on. Then you have to deal with the crooks that compete with you who tell the customers 'Don't use those panels that manufacturer has gone bust last week' as if they know best, convince your lead they are better than you. Then the ****y customers who trade you off against another quote in hope you will do it for free.

Easy? NO. Would I do it knowing what I do now? Maybe but with a bit gulp of air and a stock of single malt. If it wasn't the fact my mate is a roofer it would not have been an obvious choice.