Stroma Certification Scheme Stroma

[Richard Burns]

I would point out that there is no better scheme, they all provide notification to building control in very similar ways.

There are more recognised schemes (NICEIC), but it is only ill informed companies that specify a particular scheme, though this does mean that there is a business pressure to use NICEIC for convenience.

 

[Midwest]

NICEIC have an 'Approved Contractor' and 'Domestic Installers' schemes, as well as others. I had a cold call from Stroma, perhaps they're on a recruitment dive! This post has gone off at tangent, usually does when 'Schemes' get mentioned. At least OP has his forms.

A risk assessment should be part of your H&S policy, i.e. the H&S is overall strategy, the risk assessment deals with the risks identified at a particular job. Now we all carry out a visual 'dynamic risk assessment' even when arriving at the smallest jobs....get the dog locked away, slippery patio etc. But you may wish to goggle 'citb cdm 2015'. Applies even to small domestic work. Least they do a nice app!

 

[sinewove]

Am I right in thinking that Stroma is a domestic installer scheme?So why would a council employ scheme members to work in schools or similar buildings anymore than they would employ an NIC domestic installer to do that type of work?
Regards,SW

 

[davesparks]

My brother works in construction in project management and he has to get the Sparks in on the jobs, and this is not a lie, but all the companies he works with stipulate they must be NICEIC Approved Contractors not another scheme such as Stroma.

my view on it is that if you are serious about your business you will go with the better scheme and not Stroma.

And yet other places avoid NIC contractors, and going back a few years ECA registration was a must.

I'm not registered with anybody at all and yet my regular customers include: 2x schools, an HE college, a Lettings agent, a west end theatre, a care home run by a big national charity. So from my experience all this not getting work unless you join the club nonsense is just that, nonsense.
Do a good job for a fair price and you will not go hungry!

 

[davesparks]

Am I right in thinking that Stroma is a domestic installer scheme?

Not quite, Stroma is a large company which operates a number of different registration schemes and produce software for various sectors etc, one of their schemes is a part p scheme.

 

[uksparks]

I agree that they all have the same function, but I think for me I prefere to be under a more widely known banner.

 

[Brianaire]

Thanks for that .......filled in printed off , one down, two to go

 

[davesparks]

I agree that they all have the same function, but I think for me I prefere to be under a more widely known banner.

Why? Are you not confident that you can make it without the perceived safety blanket of the club?

 

[uksparks]

It's nothing to do with it, I'm with a scheme for cheap notifications which I do 2 or 3 every week.

 

[grumpygit]

This is just my opinion obviously, as I have been in all the schemes at some point except Stroma.
I was in the NIC for a good many years, even before you had to to be by law, I left them just over 5 years ago after a straw the broke the camels back moment. The feeling I always had with NIC was that THEY were doing you a favour, that you had to jump when they said and it was always a feeling of jumping through hoops for them.

They always reminded me of the old BT attitude where they thought they were God, until competition came on the scene, and even the it took time.
Then there is NAPIT, best way I could describe them is this.. I am the type of electrician that will always use a good quality MK double socket or light switch and not a cheap made in China one that costs pennies, even if it may do the job, hope that explains, Nuff said.

Then there is ECA/Elecsa.. been with these Guys for a few years now. You are the customer and THEIR Boss, that's the karma they give off. But you still need to be on top of your game, but never a feeling of they are out to get you, Even the yearly inspection is a joy, sadly though the guy I had in Cambridge has now retired.. Thinking of anything bad to say about them, but can't, A joy.

 

[Mike Blair]

your just paying for brand BUT in my time working aside electricians"past 2 years" it has pop'd up a few times "alright you are you registered with

 

[grumpygit]

This is just my opinion obviously, as I have been in all the schemes at some point except Stroma.
I was in the NIC for a good many years, even before you had to to be by law, I left them just over 5 years ago after a straw the broke the camels back moment. The feeling I always had with NIC was that THEY were doing you a favour, that you had to jump when they said and it was always a feeling of jumping through hoops for them.

They always reminded me of the old BT attitude where they thought they were God, until competition came on the scene, and even the it took time.
Then there is NAPIT, best way I could describe them is this.. I am the type of electrician that will always use a good quality MK double socket or light switch and not a cheap made in China one that costs pennies, even if it may do the job, hope that explains, Nuff said.

Then there is ECA/Elecsa.. been with these Guys for a few years now. You are the customer and THEIR Boss, that's the karma they give off. But you still need to be on top of your game, but never a feeling of they are out to get you, Even the yearly inspection is a joy, sadly though the guy I had in Cambridge has now retired.. Thinking of anything bad to say about them, but can't, A joy.

Not sure what happened, but the part where I mentioned Stroma is missing

Know a few younger guys that use them, heard nothing bad. Like many things these days there is competition out there and you have to work hard to get business, they seem to be doing just that.

I would say if you are just starting out and not taking on big contract work where SOME might ask for NIC or ECA, then I really cannot see the problem. Stroma are a young company starting out as you are, hopefully both will be a great success in the future.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

It's nothing to do with it, I'm with a scheme for cheap notifications which I do 2 or 3 every week.

And this is where your sums miss the target a bit... £3.60 per notification, so if you do three a week thats £518.40 a year for 48 weeks a year.

Stroma £1.50 (including the vat) so same figures £216 a year. Difference £302.40 a year in Stromas favour.

add that to the £200 odd a year less for registration to notify and look at it over 5 years, suddenly its....£2500 less.

sorry thats alot of money. Its a nice van. Or alot of shiny new tools.

As has been mentioned by others I have worked for schools, police forces, large multinationals and none of them judge me on what badge I have.

Just my opinion but you must like that red and black van sticker alot.....

 

[grumpygit]

And this is where your sums miss the target a bit... £3.60 per notification, so if you do three a week thats £518.40 a year for 48 weeks a year.

Stroma £1.50 (including the vat) so same figures £216 a year. Difference £302.40 a year in Stromas favour.

add that to the £200 odd a year less for registration to notify and look at it over 5 years, suddenly its....£2500 less.

sorry thats alot of money. Its a nice van. Or alot of shiny new tools.

As has been mentioned by others I have worked for schools, police forces, large multinationals and none of them judge me on what badge I have.

Just my opinion but you must like that red and black van sticker alot.....

Hi Spart

How have you found Stroma then, apart from the obvious saving in money.. I personally have not heard a bad thing about them

 

[nickblake]

I asked a question at elex and the guy from stroma went on a tangent about cage cramp in switches i asked about the poor quality screws in consumer units all i can say it didnt give me much confidence, felt like he was an ex politician