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Hi Toby, This is not what you'll want to hear. 50k gross as an unknown sole trader (in my opinion, someone else might disagree) is pretty much impossible.  Consider your first year. What tools do you have already? Test kit alone will run into four figures. Then you have all the other bits and...

Hi Toby and welcome. I was made redundant in 2014 and decided to go self employed. My first question to you would be how much do you realistically need to earn to keep yourself and family afloat? 

I've already installed a rod as leaving the place unearthed wasn't an option. Still want to know what happened though as does the owner. Suspect he's thinking further action......

Property is a Victorian terraced house. The certification provided by the company that changed the consumer unit in 2013 states it was a TNC-S supply. Call to DNO by me to enquire as to what they understood the supply to be wasn't helpful as the person I spoke to didn't have that information but...

I went to a job where the customer wanted the wiring in his garage updated and some extra sockets added. Went to do my initial checks at the consumer unit and was surprised to find the house wasn't earthed but the consumer unit had an installation date of 2013 on it and the customer had all...

Sharpend, methinks the customer was thinking along similar lines.........

Called out to a job, RCD continually tripping. Traced to downstairs socket ring. Test, around 1000 ohms between live/earth. Start tracing. Sockets wired in 1mm T&E, no earth sleeving, six cables shoved into back of one socket............... I advised customer that at least a partial rewire...

Friend of mine who ran a garage years ago told me a good one. Ford Escort was in for its third new clutch in eighteen months (but first one at my friends place). Car owner was complaining about the ridiculous design of Escorts that have rubbish clutches. When the clutch was removed, sure enough...

Yup, the "big red switch" was indeed off. When pointed out to the lady her response was  "Well I didn't touch it!" She lives alone, no one else had been in the house, I left it in the on position. When I asked her why she didn't check it when I asked her to. She said she had!  Worth noting...

I installed a new electric cooker for an "older" customer. Later that night I receive a call moaning the new cooker has failed, it's absolutely ridiculous a new cooker fails that quickly (note I didn't supply it!) she wants her money back from me, the cooker supplier, she's hungry, needs a hot...

Have you had a look at this site?  http://www.sparkyfacts.co.uk/Inspection-and-Testing-2394-practical-exam.php

Looks very like the distribution install to each flat was done under a BNO agreement, the details of which seem to have been lost. I'll put my concerns in writing and walk away. 

This is the main (unmetered) incomer from which the other flats are tapped off. Agreed, it's old but I saw this type of thing plenty of times over the years. I posted a picture just for interest as this is how I found it in the services cupboard of the flat.

I'll take one of the fuse box next visit (first attempt too dark then phone battery died!) I also found this in the meter cupboard, distribution board for the other flats. Suspect this was installed privately when the building was divided up. No seal on door but I managed to fix the hinge at least! 

Going to give them a call tomorrow to see if I can get anywhere. (Just spoken to customer). The fact the door to the fuse box is hanging off should be enough encouragement!  Also customer is interested in a smart meter so might see if I can get anywhere by explaining to the supplier the current...

Cheers Andy, that's helpful.  Maybe I am being a bit of a jobsworth! 🙄

Hi guys. Could anyone offer any advice re having an old main fuse changed? I'm doing some remedial work and an EICR on a flat for a customer. The main incomer fusing is via an old, unearthed steel double pole fuse box with a broken door. I've told my customer I am not prepared to sign off the...

Thanks for your replies guys, much appreciated. Doc, yes, the kitchen (apart from the USB port socket and flex outlet mentioned) is now on a completely new 32 amp ring (rest of the downstairs on separate original ring) so I'm going to notify. They also want all the switches and sockets in the...

Hi all. Could I ask for clarity on something I'm puzzling over? (Currently at home suffering badly from hay fever so not thinking fully clearly!) I was asked to raise some sockets in a kitchen for a customer who wants granite splashbacks fitted. Long story cut short the electrics were installed...

LOLER will give some good advice re how to proceed, particularly the paragraph:- "If your business or organisation undertakes lifting operations or is involved in providing lifting equipment for others to use, you must manage and control the risks to avoid any injury or damage." Reading the OP...