Rated People etc any good or rip off ?

[BrianDB9]

Very interesting Thread and Question, as I was about to post and ask the very same question. I have been with Rated People for about 2+months having last year started out on my own after years of sub contracting, and saw it as a practical tool to gain work and from that, build up a business and wanted to throw this out there.
My opinion of them, now I have got to grips with the concept and the practicalities of the scheme is pretty indifferent, and what in reality they do and how they go about it from an Electrical prospective is becoming evident and as such very alarming in my view.
My primary concern is that I believe them to be a vehicle which in the long run can only further encourage rouge, un - qualified electricians– poor workmanship and works that have not been correctly selected, erected andtested as per BS 7671. May I expand?
· To start with there is no formal registration ofqualifications asked for by RP.
· One just has to look at the jobs and the price structure e.g. recent examples I have got. Full Test to be done on my 3 bed house– budget under £100.00 or I want new down lights and socket in my existing kitchen Budget [Supply and fit] – Under £100.00. The issue I have with this as a qualified NICEIC Approved with 37 years expericance Electrician with 2391 andCOMPEx. Who can do the above work and do it properly with accountability for the price given? You cannot unless the work is thrown in hence the work is been given to people who are prepared to do it for zip. Do the maths £100 job -less lead £7.20 less petrol say £5.00 full test for under £90.00????
· Also I have learnt the hard way, when I put this to RP saying in my opinion a 3 bedhouse cannot have a full EICR report done for £100.00 they said buy the lead and then say to client the job will be more that the budget price. Great I buy lead, call client tell him it will be more than £100.00 he says no must be done for under £100.00. Can I get my money back for that waste of time NO because by me offering and saying it will be more that the budget that is construed as giving a Quote. But the scary thing is the work is getting done and by who.
· Recently bought a local lead on a recent weekend Sunday when it was freezing. Job was Urgent - Lost power to heater fuse blown and cannot get fuse out as all melted ????? Budget £100 job 5.2 milesaway. Bought it as to see if anything I could be of help in cold weather. Got voice on phone after polite intro “Howmuch” Call out on weekend min 90 min of my time to resolve fault and test - lead price - petrol - spare Wylex fuse and fuse holder in van £35.00 pounds. They laughed me off the phone.
· The other waste of time you get lead call client and you get HOW MUCH?? you explain do not know as you need to at very least look at job for accurate quote. NO is thereply give me a price over the phone. So I am very very reluctant to startbuying leads at £50 + a pop.
To speak to RP is at best a waste of space have tried talking to staff to see if my input may help all parties falls on deaf ears. Now think best bet is take your cash and put it on a bet with the bookies at 3/1 and hope for the best as I think the return will be better in long run.

A very useful post - you've obviously done a lot of work on it - many thanks.

 

[BrianDB9]

No just sick fed up with people who are lazy with the why bark if you have a dog attitude .Hence why you aint getting a lot of replies.

Please feel free to report my attitude to the admin cos probably need a rest

God you make me Howl !

 

[chronyx]

Well that was worth a half hour search and reading old threads.

At the start of a quiet week (Good old H&S and Guildford Borough Council at worst delaying a job for which I've already shelled out £600 on materials) I thought I'd look into these 'check a rated hammer' sites.

Looks like the consensus is "Don't bother"...

I think we should get together and do one for CLIENTS though...:66:

 

[oldtimer]

Well done for doing a search and then reading it instead of being like some who are too lazy so end up putting in a repeat post

 

[chronyx]

Well done for doing a search and then reading it instead of being like some who are too lazy so end up putting in a repeat post

Yeah I know what you mean, I find it easier to find and reply to old posts than doing a whole new thread and having to type everything already said all over again!

 

[robsparky1975]

I have an all year round free of charge PAYG listing,if ever a job is listed and i feel i have a good crack of getting some work then i might just pay the redicoulous amount they want for a phone number,most recent was "customer requires lounge light replacing with fitting they are supplying lead price £12.50 + vat,christ its a £40 job at best! not bothered with them as dont have to pay anymore,if anyhone else reads this post and you are not happy,cancel it and they will put you on payg,then no subs! they just charge more for a lead,in general though a huge waste of time/money.Just now and again a good one may pop up.

 

[ses]

So i just gave this a whizz but as a customer instead:

posted a job EICR needed budget under £250 8 way board

Within ten minutes had a call from a so called sparkie who quoted £240 to change my fuse board not an inspection so obviously hadnt even read the lead properly then i asked are you niceic registered
errmm we were but not at present but can give you a certificate he says

 

[chronyx]

So i just gave this a whizz but as a customer instead: posted a job EICR needed budget under £250 8 way board Within ten minutes had a call from a so called sparkie who quoted £240 to change my fuse board not an inspection so obviously hadnt even read the lead properly then i asked are you niceic registered errmm we were but not at present but can give you a certificate he says

Sounds legit

 

[Dave 85]

Very interesting Thread and Question, as I was about to post and ask the very same question. I have been with Rated People for about 2+months having last year started out on my own after years of sub contracting, and saw it as a practical tool to gain work and from that, build up a business and wanted to throw this out there.
My opinion of them, now I have got to grips with the concept and the practicalities of the scheme is pretty indifferent, and what in reality they do and how they go about it from an Electrical prospective is becoming evident and as such very alarming in my view.
My primary concern is that I believe them to be a vehicle which in the long run can only further encourage rouge, un - qualified electricians– poor workmanship and works that have not been correctly selected, erected andtested as per BS 7671. May I expand?
· To start with there is no formal registration ofqualifications asked for by RP.
· One just has to look at the jobs and the price structure e.g. recent examples I have got. Full Test to be done on my 3 bed house– budget under £100.00 or I want new down lights and socket in my existing kitchen Budget [Supply and fit] – Under £100.00. The issue I have with this as a qualified NICEIC Approved with 37 years expericance Electrician with 2391 andCOMPEx. Who can do the above work and do it properly with accountability for the price given? You cannot unless the work is thrown in hence the work is been given to people who are prepared to do it for zip. Do the maths £100 job -less lead £7.20 less petrol say £5.00 full test for under £90.00????
· Also I have learnt the hard way, when I put this to RP saying in my opinion a 3 bedhouse cannot have a full EICR report done for £100.00 they said buy the lead and then say to client the job will be more that the budget price. Great I buy lead, call client tell him it will be more than £100.00 he says no must be done for under £100.00. Can I get my money back for that waste of time NO because by me offering and saying it will be more that the budget that is construed as giving a Quote. But the scary thing is the work is getting done and by who.
· Recently bought a local lead on a recent weekend Sunday when it was freezing. Job was Urgent - Lost power to heater fuse blown and cannot get fuse out as all melted ????? Budget £100 job 5.2 milesaway. Bought it as to see if anything I could be of help in cold weather. Got voice on phone after polite intro “Howmuch” Call out on weekend min 90 min of my time to resolve fault and test - lead price - petrol - spare Wylex fuse and fuse holder in van £35.00 pounds. They laughed me off the phone.
· The other waste of time you get lead call client and you get HOW MUCH?? you explain do not know as you need to at very least look at job for accurate quote. NO is thereply give me a price over the phone. So I am very very reluctant to startbuying leads at £50 + a pop.
To speak to RP is at best a waste of space have tried talking to staff to see if my input may help all parties falls on deaf ears. Now think best bet is take your cash and put it on a bet with the bookies at 3/1 and hope for the best as I think the return will be better in long run.

Very Informative.
Laughed off the phone over £35....Jesus!! I'd of quoted £75. Good job I don't use these companies eh...
Personally I think all these firms popped up after the recession to prey on desperate tradesmen. The only one I've heard anything good about is checkatrade but I'd never use any of them. Most decent customers would always prefer to use someone recommended to them by a friend and I have no interest working for people who are so tight fisted they use sites like rated people to save a few quid.