Starting off in self-employment...aarrgghhh!!! help!!

[deedubya]

Hi all,
Could really do with some help and advice. Many moons ago i completed my city and guilds 2360 part 1 and 2 and my 16th edition and the update to it. Im now in the process of taking my 17th.
I have been working for various electricians over the years and now decided to go it alone!
Which governing bodies should i look to join and what extra qualifications should i look to get?
I take it i will need to become part p registered to be able to sign off my own work?
Im a bit lost when it comes to all the insurance side of things too!

Could anyone put me on the right path??

Cheers!

 

[i=p/u]

just requires few bob, but here goes, do 17th and part p, then go to napit, niceic, elecsa say i want to join then they will send you booklet of what you need to do, you will need insurance and test quipment calabrated i think to get on scheme, so insurance £200?? ,test equipment few hundred at least and then your courses.. and cert to be more hidden costs, could try the inspection and testing qual 2391 too which i think you need within forst year... get the pounds outtttt welcome along now a sing the song

 

[Des 56]

Quals are ok

Any of the schemes will take you £400

Public liability insurance about £80

Money for regs and guide books if you haven't got them, another ton







quote by i=p/u
do 17th and part p, then go to napit, niceic, elecsa

Please explain the underlined,I notice it's often quoted

 

[i=p/u]

yeh im guessing of the hip, love to be corrected desie ty, but do you not need test equipment which is calabrated ??

 

[Des 56]

yeh im guessing of the hip, love to be corrected desie ty, but do you not need test equipment which is calabrated ??

"Of course you do",any spark worth his salt will have these as a matter of course, callibrated as well

I had to say that because, to be honest I forgot


"love to be corrected desie"
ditto p/u

 

[jamsey]

I have been in the trade a good few years and decided to go it alone so far its cost me approx £6500 including van, NIC require £2,000000, liability insurance (£130ish) tester and bits and bobs (£600) part p course £2500 but included pat testing and 17th edition aswell.. but im still unsure which is the best governing body to go with???

 

[brucelee]

Its upto you but at the end of the day they are all jsut after your money
as is well known possibly NIC are more well known so people ask for NIC sparks but not very helpful as i found but Elecsa are better in helping you personal opinion and the tech guys always willing to take a call but less known gradually though becoming increasingly more known as a friendly scheme forthe spark unlike what i have heard and read from NIC jsut personal opinion

heard napit are ok

at the end of the day its your choice they will all take your money and once passed will let you notify your own work

 

[Spesh]

I got £2M liability and £1k tool insurance with gladiator for £83 - landed

 

[Quinnysparks]

I'm considering self employment as the company I work for are complete arseholes! With regard to part P, is that really a must have? I already have the 2391 qualification, doesn't that show that I'm competent?

 

[trev]

Quinny, if you're a qualified spark that should show competence but it doesn't work that way. If you're in England you need to join one of the CPS scams

 

[Quinnysparks]

Yeah, I know you're supposed to be registered with one of the robdog bodies, just wondered what the Part P was all about? Everyone tells you something different!

 

[trev]

Part p is the building reg section that covers us domestically mate. google it and you'll get the best idea of what an ill thought out, poor piece of knee jerk reaction legislation it is. As far as what it requires us to do anyway.
As far as it's installation requirements go, if you're installing to BS7671 you're installing to Part p

 

[Quinnysparks]

Cool man. Will have a look.

 

[msec]

just requires few bob, but here goes, do 17th and part p,

I have been in the trade a good few years and decided to go it alone so far its cost me approx £6500 including van, NIC require £2,000000, liability insurance (£130ish) tester and bits and bobs (£600) part p course £2500 but included pat testing and 17th edition aswell.. but im still unsure which is the best governing body to go with???

You DO NOT need to do a 'part p' course quinny, 17th edition and 2391 is enough to be a NICEIC domestic installer which covers you. As you have 2360 1 and 2 I believe you have min requirements for all schemes. Don't spend fortunes do 2391 at a college or something.

van - wouldn't go the finance route until established, look for something you can afford to buy outright but is still presentable. There is plenty out there, I'd say £1500 - £2,000. Take tax and insurance into account too, you want as few overheads as possible.
Tester - got my meggar off ebay brand new unopened for £450
PL insurance - £100 - £150 you'll also need PI if doing periodics.
Scheme registration £400ish

I spent about £1500 setting up in 2008, however my van only cost me £400 and I know for a fact it cost me work. I was extremely naive. People base everything on your apperance and how you compose yourself. I didnt realise it until 10 months in, got a new van, signwrote it, couple of work t shirts with name on and customers were reacting to me totally differently and I was getting loads more work.

 

[Quinnysparks]

Ah nice one, good advice dude, cheers. Have got all the relevant qualifications, guess its just a case of saving up some cash first!