Is it quiet or just me?

[tom1]

I have work booked in untill end of Oct, mostly periodics for local authority but the phone has been fairly quiet with any domestic work. only had 2 board changes this month.Phone calls that are most prevelent are the "we can get you more work" sales type calls.

sick of them,

really sick of them

 

[Adie -Be-]

Welcome PaulSC, I was self employed for 3 years and the the BIG CRUNCH hit, I did not do domestics. Industrial sparking and automation and control but it was the contractors to go first with 5 of my 6 main customers..ouch.

Like Sellers said,Get your name an face out there and if you can do industrial make up flyers and do some knocking on industrial doors, subbing is a good way to fill in the gaps.

 

[ProDave]

I'm 7 years into self employment. The key is contacts and recommendations, which obviously take time to establish.

Lately I've been doing a few new builds for a local builder which is nice easy steady work.

I guess the economy is different up here (which is why many want independance) and I would say we had our recession in 2008, and we are well past it now, at least that's how it appears to me with 2008 being the year it slowed so much I nearly went looking for a "propper job" again.

Self employment works for me however, only because I have no mortgage, low cost of living and other income as well, so I never need to earn that much from sparkying, and never intend, or indeed need to work full time all the time. If I had a mortgage and no other income, then I would still not be earning enough as a self employed sparky after doing it for 7 years.

 

[300TDI]

It doesnt suprise me that some may be quiet on the domestic jobs

Mine are all industrial and i seem to be busy all year round, i wouldnt say im breaking any records, but its enough for me i would say at the moment - busy but steady

 

[green-hornet]

I remember the recession in the 80's and the one just after 91, its nothing new, the building trade, and its branches are always the first to suffer, and are usually the last to recover.

People do not like spending money when they are uncertain of the year ahead.

The only work in domestic at this moment are those who would like to sell up and move to a bigger house but can not, so instead extend, or those who would like a new kitchen.

As for the extentions I would say 10% are done by part p registered electricians 90% done by the builder without notification.

As for the new kitchen, I would expect no more than 5% are done by an electrician.

Thats Part Peee for you, brought in just so we can pay a fee for the cowboys to clean up.

 

[ProDave]

As for the extentions I would say 10% are done by part p registered electricians 90% done by the builder without notification.

But surely an extension needs planning permission AND building control, so it IS notified isn't it?

 

[Lurch]

But surely an extension needs planning permission AND building control, so it IS notified isn't it?

Not all extensions require planning, and a large chunk of those which do require planning get built without it.

 

[binky]

But surely an extension needs planning permission AND building control, so it IS notified isn't it?

Not if electrics are not declared to BC, who seem strangely reluctant to ask obvious questions about electrics, and who did them, though the did ask my neighbours for certs before signing off attic conversion.

 

[Andy™]

been on a few jobs where LABC wont sign off until electrics are notified

 

[Evans Electric]

Loads of Kitchens and Bathrooms are done without notifying . Electrics carried out by the fitters .

 

[green-hornet]

[quote name='Andy