Starting out

SparkieBusiness · May 18, 2010

Hello all,
I am starting out as an Electrician, nearly qualified.
I have got my PAT TESTING qualification so am looking to start working as a PAT TESTER to get a bit of money in.

Could anyone help me as I have no idea where to start when it comes to working for myself?

What do I need to do? Do I need to notify anyone? Any help would be great.

Also, I'm in the London/Heathrow area if anyone needs an extra pair of hands on a job..
My current qualifications to date..

PART P (VRQ Level 2 Domestic Installers)
2377-11 Level 3 Certificate in Management of Electrical Equipment Maintenance
2377-12 Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

EXAM AT THE END OF THE MONTH FOR (MAY)
City & Guilds (2382-10) BS 7671: 2008 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations

Cheers

Tyrone

banny07 · May 18, 2010

hi and welcome

acat · May 18, 2010

google "business link" and get on their course starting your own business it free and worth pure gold as it guides you through everything so you dont waste your money.

Good luck

Chris

SparkieBusiness · May 18, 2010

Hi Banny07, thanks
Cheers acat!! I'll give it a go now.

Phil · May 18, 2010

welcome and good luck

ringer · May 19, 2010

Sparkie2B, just to let you know you're not the only one. I too have 2377 and am trying to get PAT testing business going whilst getting more qualifications under my belt and hopefully some experience too.

Part P is a nightmare - very ambiguous and no clear practical way for guys like us to get started. My understanding is that we can add new sockets/switches/lights to existing circuits without notifying to authorities. And by starting small like this, we can get some experience with installation work without feeling overwhelmed at the scale of a full job. Not sure though whether/how we have to issue minor works certs. I am hoping that by doing small jobs like this, I may get asked to do bigger jobs, and can then call on a suitably qualified electrician to help. That way I get some business in for him, and I get some on the job experience. Don't expect to make a living for a while doing it this way, just hope to cover my costs, but is the only way in at my age to becoming an electrician.

Backing up what Acat says, Business Link is good, and free, but you only get generic advice, not one-on-one apart from an initial meeting which just tells you what you need to do, who to contact etc. The training courses are good considering they are free, and it is really great to mix with other people in a similar boat, even though their business ideas are totally different. But don't expect to come out of these meetings with all the answers - they just try to guide you in the right direction, not hold your hand. And don't underestimate how much work is actually involved in starting up. You have to make a lot of difficult decisions about name, branding, advertising, selling yourself (my own particular bug-bear), networking, and generally flailing around not sure if you are doing things right and wondering if/when someone is going to be willing to pay you to do some work for them.

Your are currently doing one of the best things you can do - that is reading these forums. The guys on here are really great and supportive. You can pretty much ask about anything electrical without fear of being laughed at or talked down to. I have already had some great advice and help on here. And you can learn so much that they don't/can't teach at college.

If you want to compare notes or just chat then PM me.

Best of luck mate!

SparkieBusiness · May 20, 2010

Thanks ringer,
and best of luck to you too!
I just really want to set started, even if I can get work working for another person.
The experence is priceless and as you said everything that im looking at doing on my own seems overwhelming!

Regarding the PAT TESTING, i dont know if I should get a PAT TESTER for use my FLUKE 1652..

Ive been looking and the KEWTECH KT71 (I used this in college and liked it) is selling for around 400!

What are you going to use?

ringer · May 20, 2010

I have a Fluke 6500 for PAT testing, which is useful as it has memory, though managing the downloads requires a bit of work if you don't buy the (very expensive) software to go with it. It is more expensive than the MFTs though! I chose the Fluke mainly because I have had a decent multimeter of theirs for years and it has served me well, and because my 2377 course used Fluke 6200s. Many people on here seem to be recommending Seaward PAT testers. If I had to choose now, I would find a way to get my hands on a Seaward to see how I liked it. Try asking local electricians what they use and if they would be willing to let you have a go on their kit to see how it suits you (might also be a good excuse to start chatting to them, without it being an out-and-out request for work).

I am considering buying a 1652 for installation type work. Cannot decide whether the more expensive 1653 would be better, or even whether to get a Megger for this sort of work - I am planning on just doing domestic work.

SparkieBusiness · May 20, 2010

I went for a low low bid on a brand new Kewtech Kt71 on eBay, not expecting it to win!

So now I have in the post a brand new tester with software, calibrated and with warranty (2yrs) for only £250 Inc postage!

Let's hope I get some work soon to pay off this credit card! Lol