Hi again gt67..
just to elaborate on my last post..
now I know a bit more of what you a looking at.......
I am looking to become self employed doing mainly residential work.
Right..
in this case I think age can be a benefit!
If you were looking for employed work your age & lack of direct electrical experience could go against you! :|
But if going self employed.. a more mature approach.. (and you obviously got experience of understanding the importance of smart image.. keeping appointments.. proper set of tools... Health & safety etc..) and the ability to string a cohesive sentence together, so you can discuss exactly what the customers requirements are and they can understand it, is a positive benefit!!
{ Not "well its like a new socket init you need guv!" }
I think that age & experience can be a positive selling point when you intend doing some work in a persons home.
Within domestic work there is always jobs need doing..
and with private domestic work I categorise three basic customer types..
a] There are customers who will never call a trades person in.. "DIY BOB" & co.
b] There are those who do a bit, like to help, but know their limitations.. then call someone in!
c] There are customers who wont even change a light bulb or a fuse in a plug.. they need to know they have someone they can call on.
"a" will never want your services.. but "b" & "c" will come back with regular business once you have proved yourself to them!
you just goto make yourself first choice for your local patch!
I've had 20 years of working in offices and peoples houses running cables, although telephone/data cables are completely different from electrical cables, there are some similarities. I do know a few electricians who have said they will help me out with some work to start with until I build up my own customer base and reputation.
Hopefully there will be another voluntary redundancy scheme next year which I will apply. I was looking into the short courses but the general impression I get from reading these forums is that it is better to do the C&G 2330 L2 and L3. The only problem is that will take 3 years part time and with a mortgage etc I need to be earning some proper money asap so I will also look at the shorter courses, like the route davetheglitz went down.
I do know that this will not be easy and am prepared for the hard work required to become a good sparky. I am lucky in the respect that I already have a load of tools, cordless drills and a van so the start up costs will be a bit cheaper.
I live in Essex so, once I have finished installing my bathroom and finished decorating the rest of my house, I am willing to offer my services for free as an electricians mate so if anybody is in the area and wants a hand please let me know.
Thanks again for all the advice and encouragement,
Graham
It will be hard work
, (but rewarding!
)
I would recommend you get some books about self employment (if you haven't already),
there are key basics you need to grasp whatever trade or service you are providing..
Such as who's going to be doing your bookkeeping & tax returns etc..
The first few years, building a customer base, will be tough going at times.
I read a statistic that with small business failures.. Most fail within the first 5 years!
So if you can get to the 6th year... you are probably doing your basics right!
Assuming you can ride the time & the costs.. I think you will walk the C&G electrical certs without breaking into a sweat much!
A lot of the basics is around fundamental electrical science & mathematics..
just got to get your head change gear from 50v/80v DC sort of stuff..to 230v AC!
SL
