Should I stay or should I go now??

[BillyTheSparks]

Hi I am NICEIC part 'P' Domestic Installer scam. I have been with them for three years now and find that I'm paying the annual fee for not much in return.
I know that they all charge a rip-off amount for what they call a 'Service', but I was wondering as the title suggests; should I stay with them and pay the fee, or go with another scam provider?

I would just like your suggestions and any info that you have to offer. I'm not bias and will take on board all the pros and cons

Many thanks in advace

Billy

 

[oldtimer]

Looks like EICRs are going the same way as the 60p PAT test still tell me one Schemie that has thrown a member out for doing a 1 hour EICR or in fact for a 60p PAT test yes they want to name and shame non members or anybody that uses their badge but dont pay for it but the wont even police their own members

 

[BillyTheSparks]

Well lots of good advice. Looks like I'll be doing some research tomorrow. Going by the majority of the posts, ELECSA will be my first port of call; and if that goes well then the second will be to NICEIC to say thank you and good bye!

 

[robsparky1975]

Had my annual visit with phil from elecsa last thursday and when i could dropped a few questions in about joe down the pub etc,elecsa are apparently thinking about setting something up online where you can name and shame joe and his like,remains to be seen what happens with that.

 

[yogibear]

I'm in a similar position Billy, just about to renew but if I looked at the amount of notifiable work I did last year it would make the price of each job prohibitive if I added the cost onto them. I'm also a bit mystified with the Government who swept in saying they were going to cut red tape & help the construction industry. All they've done so far is introduce "Risk Assessment based PAT" a little earner we had in hard times gone, and keep the Part P schemes exactly as they are. We must be one most assessed vocations going, even more then doctors it appears!
I will say that Elecsa seems to be one of the friendlier schemes and as it's part of ECA it is more attuned to our needs.

 

[Engineer54]

I will say that Elecsa seems to be one of the friendlier schemes

Yep, ...I can see ELECSA now, with beaming big grins and smiling all the way to the bank!! lol!!!

 

[jaresquire]

This question is a no-brainer (which suits me)
Around my way the NICEIC name carries the most respect from the public/councils and yes, other electrical contractors even if they also belong to ECA etc
I am a DI with NIC just to make Part P issues go away. If I actually did a greater percentage of electrical work I would upgrade to Approved Contractor without much thought.

 

[Engineer54]

This question is a no-brainer (which suits me)
Around my way the NICEIC name carries the most respect from the public/councils and yes, other electrical contractors even if they also belong to ECA etc
I am a DI with NIC just to make Part P issues go away. If I actually did a greater percentage of electrical work I would upgrade to Approved Contractor without much thought.

Then it's the Councils and those other Contractors that are lacking in the Grey Matter. ...lol!!
Councils shouldn't be discriminating between accredited electrical contractors anyway!! Far too much bull**** being banded around by those that can't substantiate reasoning!!...

 

[jaresquire]

Agreed E54, didn't say they were right to do so, but 'they' pay my bills!

 

[sparks1973]

but its getting any local authority work....
we all know that local authorities are supposed to `spread the work` between all the scams....just that they don`t though..do they...

 

[Engineer54]

but its getting any local authority work....
we all know that local authorities are supposed to `spread the work` between all the scams....just that they don`t though..do they...

Then i suggest anyone that has been discriminated against, by these rogue Councils, should take it up with their respective scheme provider. I understand this is one area where they ''Will'' make representations on both you're and their behalf!! lol!!!

 

[somersetsparks]

To be fair to even be considered for council jobs, you have to join their 'framework' Once you are in the framework it is obviously a 100% fair and transparent process of selection for each job, bearing in mind that they tend to go with bigger companies etc. for good reason.

We have been back to do free 'remedial' works on jobs we balls up 30+ years ago.
One man band might go bust tommorow!

 

[KFH]

I am with ELECSA and have not got any complaints apart from having to register in the first place. I have used their technical help line a couple of times and have found them very helpful both on the tricky questions and stupid one where I should have read the OSG at least he did not say RTFM. Local council has a list of organisations for EICRs under the licensing act and ELECSA is not one of them but they will approve others on application which I have done and they had heard of ELECSA.

 

[BillyTheSparks]

Well in all honesty, I'm thinking off packing it all in anyway. So i have re-registered with the NIC for hopefully the last time. It was painful paying the money, but it is a necessary evil. I am looking into getting another job, not in this game at all. So I have a year to start slowing down before having to pay the rip off price again.

 

[tafftreb]

Do I join a scheme?

Hi guys, this is my first post. I have recently completed C&G 2393, and was hoping to build experience before I considered joining any Competent person scheme.
I have however been told that City and Guilds will be changing the course, and if I don't join up to a scheme by April then I would have to do another course, or I will not be deemed competent enough to join the scheme.
My initial plan was to concentrate on minor work, until confident.
I am very confused on what to do and am in no position at present to even consider applying.
Can someone please clarify on what part of the course is changing and what the implications of this is, and is it even worth paying hundreds of pounds each year when I have very little experience? (Past course this week)
Many thanks

 

[yogibear]

Re: Do I join a scheme?

Hi guys, this is my first post. I have recently completed C&G 2393, and was hoping to build experience before I considered joining any Competent person scheme.
I have however been told that City and Guilds will be changing the course, and if I don't join up to a scheme by April then I would have to do another course, or I will not be deemed competent enough to join the scheme.
My initial plan was to concentrate on minor work, until confident.
I am very confused on what to do and am in no position at present to even consider applying.
Can someone please clarify on what part of the course is changing and what the implications of this is, and is it even worth paying hundreds of pounds each year when I have very little experience? (Past course this week)
Many thanks

Hi Tafftreb,
It is increasingly difficult to start up these days however it doen't have to cost a fortune to get into a scheme I've joined Stroma (www.stroma.com) who are much more reasonable for my full scope scheme and for a partial membership (connect circuits to the distribution board) is even cheaper.
Best wishes for your new enterprise and for the future.