Reduction in electrical work

[5544]

I presently do domestic gas, plumbing and electrical work.
I have worked out that 85% of my work is not electrical any more, and what I have been doing is not required to be registered.
I only seem to get called out in my area to be asked to certify other non registered electricians work or builders work, give quotes which others then undercut, or make good any bodged jobs that others have done. My area in Hampshire is saturated for trades, especially electrical trades.
Even though I have done electrical work for over 20yrs I am seriously thinking of just dropping it now due to:
1. too much competition
2. Elecsa costs
3. constant purchase of new books,
4, constant amendments
5. The yearly 4hr inspection where I have to struggle each time to find work for him to see.
6. The added cost of the test equipment and upkeep.
7. My mate who helped with re wires is retiring and i am not prepared to do a full re wire on my own anymore.

As sad as I am at getting to this point my question is,

My gas insurance does cover electrical works, which is currently how I am insured presently.
If I decided NOT to renew my Elecsa registration, and just did minor electrical work that did not need certification, and was still current with regulations, is that still allowed.

Please do not swear in any replies. I am genuinely asking!

 

[Kidsolo]

I have worked out that 85% of my work is not electrical any more

Maybe it is time to reassess the prices you charge for electrical services...… or specialize in only "one" trade

 

[peterhyper]

Maybe it is time to reassess the prices you charge for electrical services...… or specialize in only "one" trade

It appears 5544 is not going to bother registering with a body due to the cost/hassle and being undercut and concentrate more on his other trade, so I guess like many of us it gets to the point that lowering your prices isn't the answer as with all the overheads it just isn't worth it.

I don't feel domestic sparks are as generally valued as much by customers as plumbers, heating engineers, plasterers or carpenters. For instance most plasterers in my area usually charge more for a half a day's work than I charge for a full day's work (with varying degrees of workmanship - mainly skimming).

 

[Midwest]

It appears 5544 is not going to bother registering with a body due to the cost/hassle and being undercut and concentrate more on his other trade, so I guess like many of us it gets to the point that lowering your prices isn't the answer as with all the overheads it just isn't worth it.

I don't feel domestic sparks are as generally valued as much by customers as plumbers, heating engineers, plasterers or carpenters. For instance most plasterers in my area usually charge more for a half a day's work than I charge for a full day's work (with varying degrees of workmanship - mainly skimming).

Tend to agree with you. Small works stuff, like putting a light, installing a couple of sockets, people expect it done for a few quid.
I installed two sockets for a guy, for about £70. He wanted to save a few quid by buying his own stuff!

Then they ask if you can do it for cash!

 

[peterhyper]

Tend to agree with you. Small works stuff, like putting a light, installing a couple of sockets, people expect it done for a few quid.
I installed two sockets for a guy, for about £70. He wanted to save a few quid by buying his own stuff!

Then they ask if you can do it for cash!

I would replace a couple of existing sockets for £70 but definitely not put 2 new ones in for £70, so your customer did well if it was the latter and still expected a cash discount!

I don't do cash discounts because they save the money and if I don't put it through the tax man I'm the one in trouble.

 

[Kidsolo]

It appears 5544 is not going to bother registering with a body due to the cost/hassle and being undercut and concentrate more on his other trade, so I guess like many of us it gets to the point that lowering your prices isn't the answer

de-registering isn't the answer, he will still have to drop his prices to compete.

I don't feel domestic sparks are as generally valued as much by customers as plumbers, heating engineers, plasterers or carpenters

you guys help create this problem by allowing unskilled and semi skilled people to do electrical work. It should be only fully qualified electricians allowed to do any type of wiring

 

[Midwest]

you guys help create this problem by allowing unskilled and semi skilled people to do electrical work. It should be only fully qualified electricians allowed to do any type of wiring

How do ‘we’ create this problem?

 

[peterhyper]

de-registering isn't the answer, he will still have to drop his prices to compete.


you guys help create this problem by allowing unskilled and semi skilled people to do electrical work. It should be only fully qualified electricians allowed to do any type of wiring

I'm not sure if you are on a wind up, but if not then it's rather silly to suggest "he will have to drop his prices." Isn't that the very issue that some short sighted people think that sparks reducing their prices is the answer to getting more work (as they say a fool can always be busy). Why should he drop his prices if he can make a better living from doing something else. I absolutely refuse to drop my prices because I'm still earning less than most other trades, and in real terms I have probably already cut my prices by not increasing them to keep up with inflation.

In answer to your second statement (again it's probably another wind up). I have never employed anyone, let alone employed unskilled/unqualified people. I see rubbish electrical work all the time, and often it's done by qualified/registered sparks. I certainly don't condone such work, but perhaps they are doing exactly as you suggest and lowering their prices to the point that is how they can make a living (as they say people get what they pay pay for).

 

[Kidsolo]

but perhaps they are doing exactly as you suggest and lowering their prices to the point that is how they can make a living

The O.P. isn't going to magicaly get work by lowering his overheads, he will need to lower his prices if he wants to compete. His solution to deregister and only do "
minor electrical work that did not need certification" sounds kind of like he is choosing to join these quote hijacking cowboys. I am not suggesting lowering prices is what i would do, just what the O.P. needs to do in his scenario.

Serioius question... you U.K guys seem to quote by the hour, is this standard? why aren't you quoting by the outlet/fitting?
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How do ‘we’ create this problem?

Like I said, You not only allow but encourage "unskilled and semi skilled people to do electrical work."

 

[Midwest]

Like I said, You not only allow but encourage "unskilled and semi skilled people to do electrical work."

No I don’t

 

[DPG]

Serioius question... you U.K guys seem to quote by the hour, is this standard? why aren't you quoting by the outlet/fitting?
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Because not every job is the same.

 

[peterhyper]

The O.P. isn't going to magicaly get work by lowering his overheads, he will need to lower his prices if he wants to compete. His solution to deregister and only do "
minor electrical work that did not need certification" sounds kind of like he is choosing to join these quote hijacking cowboys. I am not suggesting lowering prices is what i would do, just what the O.P. needs to do in his scenario.

Serioius question... you U.K guys seem to quote by the hour, is this standard? why aren't you quoting by the outlet/fitting?
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Like I said, You not only allow but encourage "unskilled and semi skilled people to do electrical work."

Not being registered doesn't make somone a cowboy. Most of my work doesn't even require me to be registered.

I charge by the hour for jobs such as replacing light fittings and fault finding, but most jobs I give an actual quote for. If for instance someone asks for extra sockets, I don't charge by the point because there are many factors such as where the power is comng from for each new socket and then I take into account moving furniture, lifting carpets/underlay and floorboards. Plus is it a brick wall or a nice easy plasterboard wall where the new sockets are going etc.

 

[5544]

Many thanks for all the responses. I spoke to Elecsa today. Have not renewed. Very sad about it since i have done electrical work for 30yrs, but as previously stated, any Tom Dick or Harry is happy to shove some wire in a socket, and as long as it works no one cares. Not many people really want to play around with gas. Thanks for all the support.

 

[davesparks]

Serioius question... you U.K guys seem to quote by the hour, is this standard? why aren't you quoting by the outlet/fitting?

Dayworks are charged per hour or per day.
Big jobs like new builds would normally be priced per point.
Small jobs, alterations, adding an extra socket etc would normally be priced on a job by job basis.

 

[peterhyper]

Many thanks for all the responses. I spoke to Elecsa today. Have not renewed. Very sad about it since i have done electrical work for 30yrs, but as previously stated, any Tom Dick or Harry is happy to shove some wire in a socket, and as long as it works no one cares. Not many people really want to play around with gas. Thanks for all the support.

I agree that most people just want to pay the cheapest person to do their electrics because as long as it works why should they pay more (from their perspective). I will do almost any job on my house with the absolute of exception of touching gas.

Isn't it disappointing that around 15 years ago they introduced Part Pee to stop the cowboys, and its been a complete waste of time.

At least you have the gas trade to keep you busy, and from my experience that certainly pays better than doing domestic electrical work.

 

[Midwest]

I agree that most people just want to pay the cheapest person to do their electrics because as long as it works why should they pay more (from their perspective). I will do almost any job on my house with the absolute of exception of touching gas.

Isn't it disappointing that around 15 years ago they introduced Part Pee to stop the cowboys, and its been a complete waste of time.

At least you have the gas trade to keep you busy, and from my experience that certainly pays better than doing domestic electrical work.

It is a conundrum that people accept that gas shouldn’t be messed around with, but think electrics are fair game?