What part p scheme to go with?

[coxyboy]

Hello there

im in the process of starting out on my own and needed some advice please. what is the best part p scheme to join??

i think most people have heard mainly of the N.I.C but ive heard they can be a bit of a con? is this true? are they the best out there? or are other schemes just as good?

also i know the n.i.c do an approved contractor scheme which could be of benifit to me. is this hard to obtain? and do other schemes have such a thing like this as the N.I.C have?

hope someone will be kind enough to shed some light on this

many thanks
COXY

 

[toast]

I went with ELECSA after having good reports about the service they supplied to their members and good friendly technical support. It's £440 for first year, so not the cheapest scheme provider but not the most expensive either.
Half day assessment, only one a year. Just make sure have good evidence of work to show, with no non compliances and know your regs and part p stuff.

 

[Engineer54]

I went with ELECSA after having good reports about the service they supplied to their members and good friendly technical support. It's £440 for first year, so not the cheapest scheme provider but not the most expensive either.
Half day assessment, only one a year. Just make sure have good evidence of work to show, with no non compliances and know your regs and part p stuff.

You'll have to be going some, to fail any of these scheme providers assessments, if a 5 day wonder can sail through them!!

 

[MarkieSparkie]

At one time or another I have had dealings with all the current registration bodies with the exception of Corgi. The only one I would recommend is ECA/ELECSA as they are the only ones in my experience who are genuinely interested in the success of their members businesses. The helpline staff and assessors I have had contact with are all time-served sparks, not only do they know the regs but also the practical day-day stuff.

 

[Rockingit]

I'm in a similar dilemna myself - I used to be with Elecsa but switched to NICEIC earlier this year as felt I was potentially losing business as people know the NICEIC brand much better than the others (and it's almost impossible to secure insurance work if non-NIC). But - haven't been impressed so far, NICEIC just feels like a sausage factory for their own ends and not a care for my business. The ECA/Elecsa guys on the other hand are friendly, helpful and you don't have to wait for hours on hold on the phone to speak to someone. So, do I stay or do I go back???! I have about 2 weeks left to decide!!

 

[Welchyboy]

well i was with elecsa first of all and must agree they are good and simple, ideal to start with, but i also switched to NIC for the same reasons as rockingit and i wanted to upgrade to approved contractor when my business was ready, i must say they are more thorough with most things, but that badge does look better on your van, if your confident with your abilities id go with NIC as if you learn what they expect from you, the way they work and their certificate layouts, it will be easier when you want to go approved

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Go for the cheapest, they're all the same at the end of the day, someone making money out of you.

 

[coxyboy]

thank you all for your advice
kind regards
COXY

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Ive always used the certs from the horse mouth so to speak, the IEE ones. Can't see much point flowering them up and over complicating (or under complicating in the NIC's case) the matter.