Reality check for wannabe electricians

[VoltzElectrical]

Hi all,

I've read numerous threads recently from well meaning people wanting to retrain as a domestic electrician and prepared to spend thousands of pounds to do so.

How much do these people REALLY know what it's ACTUALLY like to run their own domestic business?

I invite you all to post the REAL DEAL, WARTS AND ALL, on here to build up a more accurate picture of what it's like to generate business, quote, not get the job, get the job and not get paid, underquote, organise materials, chase money and walls, find faults, lift floorboards, deal with difficult customers, not sleep at night through money worries.

And the pro side too.

A call to arms guys to give these people the other side to all the advertising sold to them by course providers, thus enabling them to make an INFORMED CHOICE.

Regards.

 

[Richard]

People think being an electrician is about 'wiring'. In reality its mostly donkey work... Pulling on cables, chasing ****ty walls, clipping ect

Edit: obviouly i'm refering to domestic work

 

[RWJ]

Agreed...... Most people think it's easy because "they" know how to wire a plug and socket. We work our butts off....Even me who prides himself in doing the bear minimum!

 

[rmc86uk]

It's because like you said, they are shown that they will earn 50k a year and rubbish like that!

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[SPARTYKUS]

I'd love to but too busy doing my accounts, invoicing, filling out PIR's, Minor works, EIC's, and thats after 3 hours tidying the van so I can work properly tomorrow.

Thanks for listening.

 

[RWJ]

It's because like you said, they are shown that they will earn 50k a year and rubbish like that!

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Oh yeah forgot the 50k a year and the 300,000 skills gap

 

[The Cavalry]

I have recently got the 17th, been in the building game most of my life, thought time to get qualified always thought I was good with elecs, turns out I'm good at fishing, chasing, pulling and other fun stuff like that, which is much more fun than getting stressed out about money, filling in paperwork, fighting the VAT man, being broke, working crazy hours, quoting - getting nowhere, running round in circles, wish that 50k was right!!

 

[SMB]

Its a great proffession, and I wouldn't want to put anyone off from ploughing their efforts into it.

I also wouldn't want anyone to be stupid enough to think that they can lay out 7K and be qualified in 2 months time because that is lies.

It takes years, it took me 10 years to be efficient to wire a house and not worry or have to think too hard about what I was doing.

Things are on a down turn at the moment, but things WILL pick up.

To anyone out there who wants to take this path I would say yes. But you need someone behind you to teach you. These quick schemes are not the answer.

 

[RWJ]

Its a great proffession, and I wouldn't want to put anyone off from ploughing their efforts into it.

I also wouldn't want anyone to be stupid enough to think that they can lay out 7K and be qualified in 2 months time because that is lies.

It takes years, it took me 10 years to be efficient to wire a house and not worry or have to think too hard about what I was doing.

Things are on a down turn at the moment, but things WILL pick up.

To anyone out there who wants to take this path I would say yes. But you need someone behind you to teach you. These quick schemes are not the answer.

Words of wisdom

Thank you SMB

 

[cbw]

The 50K is correct, INFACT I am probably nearer the £60K however................

07:00, get up get showered, no time for breakfast
08:00 phone calls, accounts finish paper work from where left off last night............
10:00 on site pulling cables
NO LUNCH TOO BUSY
16:00 every employed person has left site
20:00 Really tired now, must get home invoices and a quote to type
23:30 Eaten dinner infront of computer whilst doing certificates, must go to bed as need to be up early.............................................................

Do a pro rata and given the 7 day 16hr days Its more likely 20K

 

[VoltzElectrical]

just to clarify, my intentions are not to put people off, but give them an accurate picture of the reality of day to day to day, week in week out running a domestic electrical concern. It's not all bad, but I'm sure it's not the bloomin' 'promised land' either.

Can we get some more detail (time permitted) of what it's like? How many hours spent 'off the tools' doing quoting etc...?

How many hours versus money taken = real time price per hour,

dealing with scheme providers

nightmare scenarios

dream deals.....

Love u all.

 

[rmc86uk]

this is why I let companies find the work and chase money and ill turn up do my forty hours then get paid! no hassle!

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[VoltzElectrical]

nice one cbw, you posted while i was typing.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

this is why I let companies find the work and chase money and ill turn up do my forty hours then get paid! no hassle!

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a good case for seeking employment 'on the books'.

i would LOVE a job like that. but who is taking on?

 

[RWJ]

a good case for seeking employment 'on the books'.

i would LOVE a job like that. but who is taking on?

I like to call it "owned"