NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA

[tonyjohn]

Hi all.

Im looking into going at it on my own, 2391 booked and potential contracts in the pipe line, the question is what governing body is best to go with?
any views would be much appreciated.

 

[imago]

Are your contracts for EICRs and testing? I ask because you mention the 2391. If so, none of them as they aren't required for testing and inspecting.

If you want to notify work through one of them, then I would go through ELECSA.

 

[tonyjohn]

contracts are for loft convertions and conservatories, surely 2391 is needed as you need to test your work for it to be signed off?

 

[imago]

The 2391 is good to have, and definately recommended.

I was asking because you don't need scheme/scam membership to carry out tests and inspections, you need to be qualified and experienced. Do you have any other qualifications? I believe that the schemes will soon be requiring Level 3 qualifications or that you are taking them, for full scope membership.

 

[tonyjohn]

I have plenty of experience, level 3 qualifications and updated to 17th edition, without a scheme/scam surely you would have to go through building control every time making it more costly?

 

[imago]

Yes, absolutely for work that needs to be notified. So with what you're proposing you do need scheme membership, and I would suggest ELECSA but other people will have their preferences too.

All I was getting at is that if your contracts were test and inspect only, then you don't need to join a scheme. But they're not, so you do

 

[sparks1973]

any...their all as bad as each other....

 

[ashrow]

Loft conversions come under building control so you do not need to be part p registered as all works are under building control (if you show them you qualifications they will most likely allow you to certificate your own works, but this depends on the LBCA you work for)
conservatories are not under building control and if you are only altering an existing circuit then this does not come under part p also

The above opinion is from my own experience with 5 different LBCA

Another opinion of mine is
Go for NIC if you wish to eventually become an approve contractor
Elecsa or NAPIT is you wish to stick to domestic

for the record i am a member of none (as i only work under LBCA works, it saves me putting my prices up and the tax man seeing all the jobs i register)

But i do think the electrical industry should be like Gas Safe, if you are not registered then you should not carry out any works, One scheme for all !

 

[p11jor]

Am I right in thinking elecsa are fensa?? The glass governing bodys sister company?

 

[sparks1973]

Am I right in thinking elecsa are fensa?? The glass governing bodys sister company?

there part of the ECA....electrical contractors association

 

[p11jor]

They seem to have a few members.....it's all NAPIT in Wirral were we are

 

[vjsmarwick]

I have to say as a qualified spark I refuse to join any of the money grabbing schemes why did I serve 4 years if I was still not going to be qualified these schemes are nothing but a money making scam unless they are going to send out someone to check every job how is being a member safe guarding anyone. If we are so dishonest then we should never be allowed to sign off our own work. I am happy to have any spark test my work anytime and I would test anyone else's I think this would be the only way to combat cowboys. But at the end of the day when money is tight people will always be tempted to have someone do a job and never say a word if it will save them a few bucks.

 

[bandit]

For what its worth I joined Elecsa. The joining process was very thorough and if your not up to scratch they will soon know about it. I had a bad experience with one of the NICEIC inspectors (many moons ago) so avoided them (too eager to send you on their additional courses, at your expense obviously!!). Napit just doesn't seem electrical to me!

If I wasn't doing work for builders I wouldn't bother with any of them. I have been asked not once if part p by any domestic customers in the 7 years

 

[MDJ]

Heres My view, basically In my opinion, and my opinion only, just my view, if you want to move forward and get a reputation and get onto lists where big and proper customers use electricians then you need 3 things, 1 to be a member of the NICEIC, 2 to be on the EXOR approved contractor list and 3 to have at least 5 million pounds all risks public liability insurance, if you want to be a one man band, ( to note there is nothing wrong with that at all) and you just carry out some works for a builder or you are a domestic electrician then IMO any of the above mentioned governing bodies are acceptable and have equal merit.

Kind Regards

Michael.

 

[tonyjohn]

Thanks for your views guys, much appreciated