Proceed with MCS or not?

[Cbigfoot]

Nice timing,

done the courses, almost there with all the manuals, and paperwork for the assement, about to do the install and now wondering is it worth it.

The installation will be on my own house, so i will benefit even on the lower rate, but, should i just cut my losses and run, or finish what i started.

Not booked yet, but wondering if i can get a quick aqssesment and get it in time.......

 

[dansk]

I wouldn't like to be entering the Market at this stage, I would hold on and see how the Market pans out, don't forget the competion is going to get worse after 12/12 when the good days end, there's going to a lot of companies chasing what little work they will be in the interim.

Time is a healer and it will get going again.

 

[Webbie]

Hi
I'm in exactly the same position, I ve got 2 confirmed installs but won't get mcs registered till late December!

 

[dansk]

That's a tough one, your just going to have to fess up to customer and do the right thing and allow them to try another firm, or why don't you approach another firm, let them do the contract, sub it to you, customer gets mcs, you get the job via mcs company, everyone happy.

 

[blades1898]

Im not far behind you in timing terms cbigfoot, applied to mcs through napit done alot of paperwork and got a friend whos house i was going to use as the install. Haven't told him the tariffs dropped yet but i think he will pull out,also had another 3 jobs lined up after.

We will still go through with mcs because of money spent already, but i think we will be concentrating on the electrical side of our business until the mess as been sorted out.

 

[Cbigfoot]

I agree blades, the customer is me, (or my girfreind!) so the financial loss of tariff is mine as well, but i am thinking if i add it all up, then the cost of the kit and the courses, loss of earnigns etc wqill all add up to less than the installed cost from a contractor, looking at quotes my neighbour has recieved

I might just go for the whole hog, if it picks up again next summer i am in a position to go with it, if not, then oh **** lesson to learn, but right now my main business in contracting, carry on regardless!

 

[AIM]

I started Logic Solar PV course yesterday.

May turn out to be the most expensive sandwiches and coffee I've ever bought!

 

[pwboston]

We are waiting on the NIC now and have had to change my job we were going to assess as the customer pulled out last night as i wouldnt be able to get him sorted by the 12th. Now having to install it on my office for accreditation.

Had 6 jobs lined up which have now lost, had to inform them yesterday that we will be unable to meet the Government deadline, and consequently they dont like the look of a 15 year payback. and thats assuming no maintenance and repair costs that could arise remember.

A tricky start for us that is for sure, but as a contracting business, we are pressing ahead with registration as i look at it like this, we have already invested the money (about 3500 pounds) into training etc, the accreditation process is the last part, we might as well get done and see how the year goes then pull out if it, if it doesnt pick up. And lets not kid our selves it wont be at the same level as before, sales will be very hard indeed, looking at the new figures and also the new requirements.

 

[siwarry]

Finished my Logic PV install and planning course last Friday... Was looking forward to getting going spent all yesterday morning sourcing PV testing equipment and lifting bags. Spent £4000 on training and new equipment sent off my REAL Assurance application form but still got my MCS registration on my desk im going with CORGI as we used to be with them for Gas installs and like ther way they work. Doing my 1st install on my own home but will only be worth while if I can get it done before 12th Dec.... Its the local councils and large free installers that have caused it to happen. Im glad it will be the end of the free fit solar because all that did was confuse paying customers.... Good luck everyone its going to be a bumpy ride...

 

[dansk]

Well done you guys - people have short memorys and next year when its blown over and all the people who have had installs pre 12/12 start raving how good it is to there mates, the people in the next price bracket down are going to start buying - i.e the people who want 4kw but can only afford 7-8k, ive run figures at 21p based on 8k install cost and it looks good, suppliers will drop the prices - you watch - it has to happen if they want to survive also.

 

[pwboston]

That is also my view, i feel the price of the solar equipment will come down, and may get to a level of 10 year pay back. And then it becomes viable again. The only issue we may have is with the C rating energy element, but we will have to look at that more when it comes.

 

[Cbigfoot]

just remembered that i have yet to buy the test equipment and crimper! But after throwing my toys around last night i am thinking a little more normally today; there may be a market out there next year, i think it will be hard for a while but this time next year it might be picking up again, and i will still be registered whereas quite a few will drop out. I am in this far might as well go the whole hog and see what happens!

I agree with Dansk, the suppliers are making good money as well, so they must reduce prices or go out of business, as yes we will see some cheap imports, but they will still have to pass MCS registration tests to be used.

I would like to see the large installs >10KW really reduced, and the <4Kw increased a bit to around 28p as i think it would encourage more homeonwners to invest.

 

[cbw]

If your local to me your welcome to borrow mine, have moth balled my P.V. side of the business today, could not honor existing contracts as prommised stock sold to bigger customers, well and trulley shafted from all angles.

 

[Tradeskills4u]

I think the way in which the government has dealt with this in the short term is completely wrong and they could not have handled this change in a worse way. It is spreading panic in consumers and installers alike.

However in the longer term with the cost of installation and technology coming down this is still a very viable industry. These changes will help prevent the mad gold rush meaning there will be less competition in the future as the market grows at a steadier rate.

In answer to the original question I think if you are after a quick buck then don't bother completing the MCS accreditation, however if you want to build a long term viable business or add an extra service to your offering you should finish what you started.

Lets face it many people were getting very rich of the current scheme and some installers were making thousands for just a couple of days work. There will definitely still be a market next year. After all there is still a subsidy. However profits margins will probably need to be reduced to more realistic levels.

 

[dansk]

Quite right, but even today ive had 4kwp on the email at £4400 so it shows its still going to work, god only 8 months ago we was paying 7k for 4kwp roughley speaking.

Yes the goverment has done it the wrong way, but its the only way they know, all the twits have never picked up a screw driver let alone run a real business, it could have been easier and fairer to all to phase in the change.

I now know how that steel firm in sheffield must have felt when the new goverment came to power and pulled the plug on the loan they were supposed to get.

The goverment has screwed this country and they continue to do so, im not surprised the Scots want away from us English because the English goverment as so incompetant.