Setting up on my own

[ezzzekiel]

on the contrary as youre qualified you need to join either:
nic napit elecsa etc which will cost £400 then off you go (prob need to accquire 17th ed within first 12 months of joining

 

[Richard3009]

no need to take my part P then???

 

[ezzzekiel]

joining one of the above is partp (allowing you to sign off your own work without building control involvement)

 

[Richard3009]

arrrr I see they inspect your work periodicly, and in effect they take the responsibilty of issuing the certificate for a fee each year, so to get started sign up to them do a couple of jobs and let them inspect them, can you get certs issued for your initial jobs??

 

[ElectricMick]

Richard - I set upon my own 9 months ago. No previous experience in the trade but the military paid for my re training when I left after 30 years. I have 16th/17th edition, Eal Domestic installers cert and 2391 Insp & Test. I get more work than I can cope with and I am not registered with NIC/Napit etc. All I do is take on the jobs that have a building inspector (extensions etc) or for a CU change factor in the cost of Local Authority building inspector (£117.50 in this area). I issue certificates (Green ones) and guarantee my work. This Part P thing is a nonesense. I have the part P qualification, which is not worth the £260 exam fee as it does not excempt me from having to register, but have chosen not to as I get plenty of work without. I charge a couple of pounds less on my hourly rate to offset any inspection costs and at the moment it far outweighs the advantages given by joining one of the bodies. What gets to me is the fact that the building inspector is not inspecting electrics, only where the cables run. They wouldn't know T&E from SWA so what are they inspecting? I should think with your experience you would not have any trouble getting plenty of work and deciding afterwards which body you register with. Good Luck

 

[Richard3009]

Thanks for that, very encouraging, I would have problems factoring in £117 for small alterations, would make me expensive.
Better to spread the £400 over the year using the NIEC etc, I know its a racket but seems the easiest option, Im still not convinced it negates the need to be test and inspection certified.

 

[ElectricMick]

I take on quite a bit of minor work, which is not notifiable, and could probably make a living doing that - you mentioned small alterations - if its not adding a new circuit then generally it is minor so no LABC fees involved. I have the problem of not being able to say no to any challenge so tend to take on bigger projects than I really want - but this usually means they pay well and factoring in the Building inspector is usually quite easy. There are many ways around this - and I have to admit that for most people its registering, it does take some hassle from it, but most customers understand that the LABC have a finger in the pie and accept it - if they don't they will find themselves a registered guy - but thats not always easy. After a 30 year military career I tend to look at things through different glasses as I have my pension to fall back on - so if I get work, good, if I don't its not the end of the world. I know many guys in my position who are new to the trade and you could probably run rings round us when it comes to installation knowledge, so if I was you I would go for it. The intensive 2391 Insp & Test course is not easy but I'm sure you would have no trouble with it - that opens up a whole new world as demand for qualified Insp & Test guys is high - particularly registered ones.