Newbie

[Earthstore]

Are you doing this yourself, or are you employing an MCS company?

Just to add the council do not do the calculations for roof structures, they look at the ones you have had commissioned,
this can be done in several ways, but the norm is use a structural engineer to do the calcs for you, you should also have wind calcs too.

I hope this helps.

 

[Steve_rutland]

Am doing as much as I can myself. Have spoken to a couple of installers and they say it isn't required. However, my councils website says it is. So what I need is a structural engineer then? Hmm, sounds expensive lol

 

[Earthstore]

Ah, the council.
You only need to comply with the regs, they do not need to pop out and see it, it is the same as an electrician rewiring your house, if he is part p registered and certifies his work then job done, you can rewire a house yourself(not advised) and then pay the council a chunk of money to certify it for you.

A structural report for a domestic should cost you around £150.
Without one, should you ever have a problem then your insurance could easily wriggle out of paying up.
Are your companies involved not advising you of any of this?

 

[Steve_rutland]

The 2 I have spoken to say if they did the install, they would take care of this but it wasn't required really. But, as far as my insurance and council are concerned it is a requirement. I have a company who is fairly local who will let me do all the roof work, fit the panels and wire into the DC isolator. Then I can hang the inverters and they'll do the rest and sign it off. I really must get over and speak to them but I'm trying not to take advantage of their helpfulness.

 

[Earthstore]

If they are a good, decent and honest company then pay them some money, it really will pay you dividends in the long term.

 

[Steve_rutland]

Yes, I have to say you're right. Am on an early shift next week, so I'll grab some time and pop and see them.

 

[sparkless]

Did you fit your own gas fire as well?

 

[Steve_rutland]

Nah, not gas safe unfortunately :-(

 

[sparkless]

shame, because this TRADE all you need is a laptop and a suppliers list to have a go

 

[Steve_rutland]

You've lost me on that one!

 

[sparkless]

I've paid a fortune to be as qualified as I am at PV installations, and to be MCS accredited.

yet Jo Public don't see it as a trade that they respect and would have a go themselves.

why would you approach Solar PV, but, not Gas?????????????????

whats your trade? can I just post on a forum and have a go, or do you get paid in respect of the training you have acquired?

I pay a fortune to an accountant every year, but I wouldn't dream of saying "how much is it if I bought my own pencils from WH Smith"



why do you disrespect this trade but not GAS is what I asked

 

[Steve_rutland]

If you want to have a go at electro mechanical engineering, fill your boots pal! Some of us resent being quoted stupid money, ie £11,000 for something I can partially do myself and then have checked by an expert, for £4000. I guess you're the sort of guy that only buys a new car just in case some unqualified person has changed the oil! To fully answer your question, I did fit my fire, then I had a qualified person come in and do the pipe work to it so I knew it was safe.

 

[sparkless]

arrogant to think you can take all the profit from our trade.

you obviously don't know enough otherwise you wouldn't be asking us.

How big a system do you want for only £4k


I dont just pay for panels and inverters, my install costs cover

Qualifications/training
MCS accreditation
REAl membership
Promotion of company
Liability insurance
indemnity insurance
Roof surveys
Vans
Office staff
Office rent
office Xmas parties

theres too much too list to explain how much my business costs to run per annum

 

[Steve_rutland]

So you never do any DIY at all? Nothing, nada? I came onto this forum simply to ask questions so I wouldn't get tripped up further down the line. Everyone, so far, has been very helpful and pleasant. If you had read my posts you'd know what I am trying to achieve and I am not about to get into a slanging match on an open forum with you.

 

[sparkless]

I feel like researching "electro mechanical engineering" and posting on a public forum how to undercut his trade