Becoming A Sole-trader

[ryan.carr.85]

Hi and thianks for taking the time to look at my first thread.

I have been looking throught the site over the past few weeks and have found alot of the topics very helpful and insightful.

I completed my apprenticeship 2 years ago and have been working for a company doing mostly domestic work including a hell of alot of council re-wires (nightmare) and some great jobs eg multi-million pound new builds. Although my commercial and industrial experience has been limited I think I am extremely competent in all aspects of domestic work.

So this is my dilema, although I enjoy being where I am at the moment and think the people I work for are great, I feel I am ready to move on and have a go at making some real money for myself, instead of lining the pockets of a guy who spends his weekdays on the golf course. Thirty years time I wouldnt mind being that guy on the golf course thast gettin ****ged off while all his lads are up to the eyes in filth on a "Government Housing Scheme" re-wire haha

I have listed a few questions that I am unsure about and would like clearing up IF I was to seriously consider leaving the company I work for to work for myself.

1. Which jobs require test sheets filling out and which do not? I have been to lots of jobs where I know no test sheet has been issued.

2. Would I be able to sign test sheets of myself? Ones I have always filled in have always been counter-signed by a supervisor.

3. Where would I get test sheets from anyway?Where does NICEIC come into this?

Any help and further advice and any beneficial critism would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my thread

Regards

 

[a1]

Hello Ryan, Welcome to the forum.

What Quals do you currently hold, Mate?

 

[Apache]

Hello and welcome

We have a business page Electrician Forum

It's not a good time to go it alone.

What qualifications have you got?

You can buy test sheets from screwfix TLC or make your own

 

[Andy™]

1. Which jobs require test sheets filling out and which do not? I have been to lots of jobs where I know no test sheet has been issued.

replacing like for like, nothin req'd, but minor works can be issued. adding to existing circuits etc should be minor works, anything else (like new circuit etc) should be EIC. come back and ask if you want to know what certs X job requires

2. Would I be able to sign test sheets of myself? Ones I have always filled in have always been counter-signed by a supervisor.

providing your competent (which i would guess you are, since your qualified), then yes

3. Where would I get test sheets from anyway?Where does NICEIC come into this?

you can use a copy thats the the regs, easily found on the net to download and print. or you can go to your local wholesaler, who will most likely have a NCR book of certs. you just write your name/company etc as you would with the 7671 ones

Any help and further advice and any beneficial critism would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my thread

Regards

answered in red

 

[a1]

And I have "Customisable" test sheets if you need them. Add logo and your details (in Word format) and print them out yourself.

 

[Subneural]

Hi Ryan,

Firstly welcome to the site.

Secondly its good to see you doing proper research and getting experience before you make the move.

Thirdly, now go back to work and get yourself lots of weekend foreigners to build up a basic client base and wait for the recession to be over before you do anything.

I'm a supporter of anyone who wants to improve themself but I can tell you now that without a good customer base your shafted in this climate.

Could you survive for a month without a single enquiry because thats how bad it is out here. Your boss got where he is by putting the legwork in many years ago when the going was good, I bet even he will be struggling soon.

But good luck anyway, I would just wait it out a while if I was you.

 

[springcrocus]

Subneural's third point is the most important. Building up a client database IS your future. Keep in mind that, for the average household, an electrical extra is something that they will require very infrequently, maybe one job in two or three years?

One hundred names gives you, maybe, one hundred jobs every two years. Therefore 700 days divided by one hundred clients equals one job per week! Can you earn enough from this to keep you going?

Yes, you will get recommendations from happy clients that increase your chance of earning a few bob but it's obviously important that the more people that know you the greater your chances of success.

Use your time whilst employed to get known as an individual, not just a chap who works for "So and So". Offer to do that little extra in your own time (for a fee, of course) so that people say, "He/She's a nice person, I trust them to do my work, and they are reasonably priced". Your client base gets bigger.

As others have pointed out, now is not a good time to go self-employed. Don't let it stop you being both employed and self-employed whilst you build the groundwork for your future.

Most importantly, don't jump out of employment too soon because you might find it difficult to get back to "employed" if things don't go as fast as you expected. As Grannny said, "Patience is a virtue".

Best of luck.....

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Hi and thianks for taking the time to look at my first thread.I have been looking throught the site over the past few weeks and have found alot of the topics very helpful and insightful.

1/ Welcome to the forum Ryan.car.85 Hope you like these Guiness Drink

cuz we doGuiness DrinkBlushing

2/ I should ruddy well hope you find things helpful here......................

admin spends hours sweating blood to keep us lot of rabble in check & keepin us polite and friendly...

3/ Don't be deceived By the title resident vet!!!

he ain't too bad with basic lectrics for a cow man!Applaud Smiley

4/ Mind the guinea pig........................

he may suddenly off on a tangent if its near midnight and he's getting inoximicatedBlushingBlushing

Deke! can I borrow the hair straighteners on Sunday????

pants on head colour for this week will be blue!!!

[but NOT lace!!! X( ]

I completed my apprenticeship 2 years ago and have been working for a company doing mostly domestic work including a hell of alot of council re-wires (nightmare) and some great jobs eg multi-million pound new builds. Although my commercial and industrial experience has been limited I think I am extremely competent in all aspects of domestic work.

So this is my dilema' date=' although I enjoy being where I am at the moment and think the people I work for are great, I feel I am ready to move on and have a go at making some real money for myself, instead of lining the pockets of a guy who spends his weekdays on the golf course. Thirty years time I wouldnt mind being that guy on the golf course thast gettin ****ged off while all his lads are up to the eyes in filth on a "Government Housing Scheme" re-wire haha

I have listed a few questions that I am unsure about and would like clearing up IF I was to seriously consider leaving the company I work for to work for myself.

[/quote']

If you are currently in employment, I would stick with it for the time being,

the way the economy is... jobs is jobs!

But that doesn't stop you preparing for self employment,

e.g. doing small weekend / holiday jobs,

getting tools, test equipment, books etc up to date.

Have you done City & Guilds 2391 inspection & testing?

book yourself in on an evening course if not!

1. Which jobs require test sheets filling out and which do not? I have been to lots of jobs where I know no test sheet has been issued.

Regulation 134.2.1 (page 19)

states quite clearly additions & alterations should be inspected & tested & the appropriate certificate issued.

Regulations 631.1' date=' 631.2, 631.3, 631.4, 631.5 page 163

define which certificates are appropriate for each type of work.

The fact that other people haven't issued certificates is no excuse for a competent electrically qualified person to avoid issuing a test certificate. That is down to your own personal integrity and pride in your work.

As Andy C says .. swapping a broken switch or socket doesn't involve altering the circuit..

some would say NO cert required, others still issue a Minor Works Cert.

2. Would I be able to sign test sheets of myself? Ones I have always filled in have always been counter-signed by a supervisor.

Back to Reg 134.21... "a competent person"

Definitions Page 22: Competent person.

a person who posses sufficient technical knowledge, relevant practical skills and experience for the nature of the electrical work undertaken and is able at all times to prevent danger and where appropriate, injury to him/herself and others.

You would also typically require a suitably calibrated test meter, identified with serial number to be noted on the certificate.

see examples in on site guide, pages 137 & 143, for single signature, and multiple signatures certificates.

3. Where would I get test sheets from anyway?Where does NICEIC come into this?

Regulation 631.5 defines the acceptable media formats' date='

Appendix 6, pages 331 - 341 gives model forms showing the essential information required.

You can make your own certificates.. or purchase them from wholesales or approved part P scheme providers.

NICEIC is ONE of the approved bodies for regulating and assessing the competence of electrical contractors..

NAPIT, ELECSA, ECA, BSI, BRE are others.. It is often considered that NICEIC is the most widely known and accepted, However they are all equally valid at assessing competence of their contractors.

If you are doing any domestic electrical work that is within the scope of part P building regulations...

it would be advantageous to join one of these bodies, so you can self - certify your own work.

Alternatively you will notify the council who will confirm Part P compliance, (but you have to pay for this service. )

Any help and further advice and any beneficial criticism would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my thread

Regards

If going self employed..

you will also need public liability insurance..

and to notify the inland revenue of your work status.



hope that is of some help! :|

Now go and read KME's thread that Apache highlihted...

Or we may have to remove your nostrils with an wall chaser!!!! ] ]

:^O :^O:^O:^O

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

It appears whilst I wuz composin me last post..

others nipped in..

Interesting how the general advice appears the same though!

I think you will one day be self empolyed...

Just don't jump to soon!

crap work is better than NO work! :|

 

[Apache]

Can I do an Admin style joke and suggest the OP opens a shoe shop if he wants to be a sole trader.........................

I apologise unreservedly :|

 

[springcrocus]

Sorry, Specs Blushing

 

[Evans Electric]

My advice at this point would be to stay where you are , this is probably the worst time ever, in the history of the universe, to leave your job. Give it another year, but look , listen and learn while you are there , learn from others mistakes and your own.

Deke

 

[springcrocus]

Can I do an Admin style joke and suggest the OP opens a shoe shop if he wants to be a sole trader.........................I apologise unreservedly :|

What a load of cobblers... :^O :^O:^O

 

[Evans Electric]

Specs,..... borrow Hair straighteners ? ... eh! Yes, When I get my patent leather handbag back and my 1968 Girls Own annual, if you don't mind.

Deke

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Sorry, Specs Blushing

you will be if I ring the don's boys!!!!! ]

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

Specs,..... borrow Hair straighteners ? ... eh! Yes, When I get my patent leather handbag back and my 1968 Girls Own annual, if you don't mind.Deke

I'll stick em in the post tomorrow! :x

Has KME still got the thigh boots...?? :|

or was it M107 who borrowed them? :|

 

[Apache]

you will be if I ring the don's boys!!!!! ]

One is comming as a cowboy, one as a sailor, one as a policeman,

Y M C A



specs is having one of his 'partys'

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

One is comming as a cowboy, one as a sailor, one as a policeman,
Y M C A



specs is having one of his 'partys'

Guiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkBlushing

 

[Badger]

Guiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkGuiness DrinkBlushing

isnt admin going as an escaped assylum prisoner :^O

 

[elvis]

Homers, homers, homers... give up some of yer evenins, weekends, like the boys say.

I done it for years, get in from work then go back out in the evenin and weekends. It will pee you off no end but the wee jobs start leading to bigger jobs and gets your name out there, then you start to realize you need to think about certifying some of the work!

I was knocking work back because I wasn't happy signing it off and that was when I decided to make the leap.

Some things seem scary but aren't really. My Public Liability insurance this year was a fraction under