New to this self employed stuff....

[ajs]

I’m a self employed Electrician, with experience in Industrial/Commercial mainly, looking for some information on the requirements for me to start doing my own work.

I did a JTL apprenticeship with a local firm resulting in an NVQ level 3. I was made redundant last year and became self employed soon after.

I’ve recently completed the 17th edition regulations course and my next step will be to complete the 2392 testing course (have never really had much to do with testing other than the basics) and then possibly the more difficult 2391.

My main question really is what kind of work can I do without running in to legal problems or implications?

I have a friend who buys, upgrades and then sells houses and also runs a bar. I’ve been reading through the forums and my take on it is….

• If I wanted to rewire one of these houses, I would have to inform the local building control both before and after the job was completed. If building control was then happy with the results and work, it would be signed off?

• What about minor works like new socket or lighting circuits or just general additional work? Will a test and certificate suffice?

• He is having a new terrace built on to the side of the bar which will involve new lights and external heaters. What are the implications of me doing this work? Will local authorities need to be informed? Will local council have their own requirements additional to the BS7671 Regs?

I suppose the most important question here is can I do any of this work without being registered with NIC or any of the others mentioned in the forums? I’m a bit puzzled as to this phrase ‘competent person’.

Thanks for reading, sorry it’s a bit long winded.

 

[topquark]

A competent person is defined as someone who has the requisite knowledge, skills (and argueably experience). If it came down to a court of law, that's IMO what they'd be looking for. Bear in mind that 2392 for testing really only covers domestic, so no three phase, MIC glanding etc.

 

[ajs]

Bear in mind that 2392 for testing really only covers domestic, so no three phase, MIC glanding etc.

Yeah i realise it's only basic testing. Just want to start at the bottom and work my way up with it. Not confident i would be able to do the 2391 straight off.