Trade Skills 4U (as well as numerous other establishments) informed all our customers of the upcoming changes and naturally people looked to get registered before the 6th April deadline as there was a definite answer as to which qualifications would be required. Since the 6th of April there has been a lack of clarity in the industry as to who can register on a Domestic Installer Scheme.

This week NICEIC and ELECSA have been the first scheme providers to come out and firmly say that realistically it is business as usual, and that there are in fact several routes through to application. They have published a press release stating:

As of April 6 this year the technical competence requirements, as set out by the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification Management Committee (EAS), changed for proposed Qualified Supervisors.

A new ‘Level 3’ requirement was developed and introduced for anyone wanting to apply to become a Qualified Supervisor after April 5th. Believing this may have caused some confusion, NICEIC and ELECSA have moved to allay the concerns contractors might have, and have introduced some factsheets that explain the requirements.

“In the run up to April both NICEIC and ELECSA noticed a sharp rise in applications for its schemes as contractors sought to ‘beat the new requirements’ – largely due to stories circulating in the media saying the new requirements would make it harder to become a Qualified Supervisor” commented Alan Wells, Certification and Standards Director at NICEIC.

“We want to let contractors know that this is definitely not the case. The new qualification was designed to produce safer working practices within the industry and those with the relevant experience and technical competence really have nothing to fear.”

There are now five different routes for domestic installer schemes through to satisfying the requirements for registration as a Qualified Supervisor, including on-site assessment, off-site assessment, a mixture of both and the gaining of appropriate qualifications.

To help contractors understand the new requirements NICEIC and ELECSA have produced some handy information sheets.

To download them click here.

The post NICEIC Clarifies Routes for Domestic Installers & Qualified Supervisors appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

If you are looking to re-train as a sparky it is important to understand the difference between the two areas as you will find the costs of training and time it takes vastly different. With Trade Skills 4U you can train to be a domestic installer in 18 Days and at a cost of  £2495 whereas the commercial route will take 16 weeks at £7490 plus your NVQ on the job too. However there is also now a third route which covers both options with the EAL 7695 qualification. So you should ask yourself before you start out realistically which type of work do you prefer?

What type of work do existing electricians prefer?

Obviously if you go the ‘fully qualified route’ you can in fact cover both commercial and domestic work meaning your scope of work is much greater, however we wanted to find out which of these two areas seems to be preferred by those currently out there working on the tools. You can find the results below:

Our info-graphic shows commercial work as the winner – but only on this occasion! Whilst it would be great if you can pick and choose every job you take the reality is that you once you start out as either a domestic or commercial electrician you will be doing a wide range of jobs, some more preferable than others. One thing most respondents agree on is they are glad not to be plumbers as they really can end up with some crappy work (Boom Boom!)

We asked our respondents why they preferred certain types of work and the most common differences between each area:

Domestic or commercial?

We had over 20 written comments to our survey this month, which contained some really interesting responses.

Commercial – no floorboards or lofts

16 electricians surveyed preferred commercial work due to the fact that commercial work contains more actual electrical work and less of the ‘wall bashing’ and lifting of floorboards that domestic work typically entails. Commercial work however, can become repetitive and domestic work can present some rewarding challenges.

Domestic work – essential for business success

Electricians comment that commercial work is harder to obtain – in terms of getting a foot in the door and most of the electricians who responded to our survey said that domestic work was still very useful to fill in gaps or as one electrician stated “Domestic work although sometimes challenging is your bread and butter for a small company like mine.”

Commercial – bigger earning potential

The larger projects and therefore bigger earning potential exists in commercial work. However, larger commercial companies can take longer to pay and there are other hazards to take into account for such as asbestos. Self employed electricians often team up to take on larger commercial contracts which can offer longer term work.

Domestic Work – Chance to work on more unusual properties

Some electricians prefer to concentrate on the Part P domestic market and this gives scope to working on a wide variety of electrical projects from old properties to new builds and more specialist areas such as underground heat pumps, underfloor heating systems and swimming pools.

So generally speaking it pays to keep your options open. Electrical installation work is rewarding, varied and interesting whatever sector you happen to work in. With the introduction of the new EAL 7695 Domestic Electrician course you can keep your career options open and future proof your qualifications.

The post Survey: Domestic or Commercial? What Type of Work do Sparkies Prefer? appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

So what is happening?

The answer is simple, and frustratingly it is a very easy issue to resolve – common sense. Unfortunately the temptation to take a look at a home electrical installation in an attempt to resolve the issue just proves too much for many householders in the UK. Electricity is very complex and the risk of injury particularly when tampering with older electrical installations is very high.

It is a very common occurrence for an electrician to be called to a home where a simple fault has developed into an expensive problem from someone attempting to make a DIY repair and finding it has not resolved the issue. Another problem is when well meaning family or friends attempt a repair without success.

The message of our blog today is to re-iterate the importance of using only a registered Part P electrician to carry out work in your home. A Part P registered electrician will have undertaken an approved electrician or domestic installer course and be registered with the NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA. This means that they not only understand the current rules and regulations to undertake electrical work safely within your property but they can also certificate the electrical work completed which is vital if you hope to sell your home in the future.

When is it time to call an electrician?

Most electricians are more than happy to come and take a look at any electrical concern you have in your home. It doesn’t matter how small you feel the problem might be, it is the safest solution. If you have any doubt over any aspect of your home electrics, do not use them and consult a Part P registered electrician.

A top tip from Trade Skills 4U is to have a home electrical inspection carried out if you have not had one done within the last 10 years. This report will tell you if your home is electrically safe and if it isn’t want needs to be done to make it safe. It is money well spent and the vast majority of landlords and estate agents have one carried out on all their properties to ensure the safety of their tenants. Why should your home be any different?

Normally you will have plenty of time to call in an electrician before an emergency situation occurs. There are plenty of warning signs to look out for that all is not well with your electrical installation by looking at your fuse box:

• Firstly, take a look at your fuse box (known as a consumer unit.) Essentially this is the main ‘hub’ of your electrical system in your home. It controls all aspects of electrical output and nowadays should have full control and act on your behalf if there is a problem. A common sign of a problem is your electrics tripping. Many people are guilty of simply resetting the breaker and carrying on for a while longer. The advice from Trade Skills 4U is to not delay in consulting a Part P registered electrician as the problem is becoming worse and more costly to repair by resetting a breaker continuously.

• Appliances that blow fuses when switched on – this means there is a problem with the appliance concerned and that fuse blowing has potentially saved your life. As much as this is an inconvenience, the appliance does need to be replaced. Never exceed the plug Amp indication given on every plug, it is there to ensure your safety. By exceeding the Amps (by fitting a fuse with a higher Amp than indicated on the plug) you are leaving yourself open to electrical injury or worse.

• Old wooden backed or black wired consumer units – Before the days of breakers and RCD’s you would have been expected to replace an old fuse wire yourself. Obviously these days are long gone however electricians are still finding foil and paper clips being used as makeshift fuse wires and they will be nothing to ensure your safety – in fact if there were a problem you would not be protected at all. If you have a dated consumer unit, it is worth investing in a new one to ensure you and your families safety. You will also benefit from RCD protection which cuts the power in less than a second if a problem is detected. RCD protection is responsible for saving many lives which is why is is now fitted as standard to all new consumer units.

If all is well with your consumer unit, then electrical safety in the home is really about using common sense and not taking unnecessary risks. For example, do not use a socket that is broken or overload sockets by using adapters and extension leads. Check cables regularly on appliances for signs of damage, and finally, keep electricity and water separate.

Don’t be tempted to carry out DIY work on your home electrics and consult a Part P registered electrician for advice if you have a concern.

The post Domestic Electrics – Warning Signs of Common Problems appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

The rumour is based on some facts as Mary Wherry, the Daughter of MP Jenny Tonge was tragically killed when she was electrocuted in her own home.

The circumstances of her death were a direct result of shoddy workmanship and bad luck. A new kitchen had been fitted in her home back in 1999. 2 years later her husband had fitted a drainer below the extractor fan. A cable connected to the fan had been fitted at a 5 degree angle meaning it veered into an area he did not expect it to be. When he screwed the drainer into the wall the screw was left almost touching the wire. As the drainer moved slightly over the years it finally came into contact with the wire electrifying it. This in itself would not usually result in a deadly shock, however Mrs Wherry’s shock proved fatal because her leg was touching a metal-fronted dishwasher door, completing the circuit.

However the above incident occurred well after the Part P building regs we in consultation stage. In fact the timeline of events are as follows:

May 2002 – The consultation document for Part P was issued.

September 2002 – The results of the consultation were published.

13th July 2004 – The first Part P amendment to the Building Regulations was made and laid before Parliament on 22nd of July 2004.

31st July 2004 – Mary Wherry, Jenny Tonge’s daughter, was tragically killed.

The incident would have highlighted even more just how important regulation of the electrical trades is. Since they have been introduced Part P has been shown to save many lives and in a recent consultation looking to reduce red tape it was recommended that Part P be retained. The report said:

“From the evidence we have received, we are satisfied that Part P has been successful in driving up standards and in reducing the number of electrical faults,”

“It is the only legal framework in England which protects the consumer from unsafe electrical work in the home and is vitally important considered that every week in the UK, one person dies from an electrical accident and well over a quarter of a million (350,000,000) are seriously injured every year.”

The tragedy again highlights how dangerous electricity can be and how the simplest of deviances from normal procedures can cost lives.

It is clear from the above that Part P is here to stay and that it was no knee jerk reaction but a carefully planned and required step to help save lives and reduce electrical faults. If it had been in place before Mrs Wherry’s kitchen was installed then it is quite likely it could have prevented the tragic accident.

These days all installer need to be Part P registered. In order to register on a Part P Scheme installers must ensure they are up to speed with the Part P building regs and 17th edition wiring regs. Most will attend Part course and 17th edition training in order to prove competence in these areas.

The post Was Part P Introduced Following the Death of MP’s Daughter? appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

We would like to share with you our guide to the rewire. Find out when a rewire is necessary and the building regulations that need to be adhered to.

The Rewire!

Old or faulty electrics can be a serious fire hazard, which at worst could lead to injury or electrocution. Not only is old wiring dangerous but it also isn’t capable of coping with the demands of modern living.

If you have been asked to quote for a full house rewire or perform significant alterations to a home, then the Building Regulations under Part P come into force.

When is a rewire necessary?

Firstly, you should always meet the client at the place the work is to be carried out to get a clear understanding of what is required prior to completing your estimate of work/costs. You can also at this stage asses the feasibility of the project and how much to charge.

• A full rewire should be considered if a property is more than 25 years old and hasn’t been upgraded to bring it up to the current requirements
• If major remodelling work is required that constitutes a material alteration, as defined by the Building Regulations, it is likely that a part or full rewire of the property will be required. This would include upgrading the consumer unit
• If a property is being extended, or a garage or attic is being converted, this could constitute new work. Therefore, all new wiring will have to conform to Part P: Electrical Safety. Existing wiring will have to be improved to ensure it can carry the additional loads safely
• If during a periodic test it is discovered that the cable insulation reading are below acceptable levels

How to tell if a property needs a rewire

A good starting point is to check the type of electricity meter and fuse box (consumer unit). Modern consumer units will have circuit breakers and residual current devices (RCDs). Old fuse boxes will have old fashioned rewireable fuses.

You can also tell by inspecting exposed parts of the wiring as modern electrical installations are wired using grey or white PVC insulated cable.

An indication that a partial rewire has been undertaken is if there is a mix of different switch and socket styles and if there is surface-mounted wiring running up walls or along skirting boards. You may also find examples of old dolly switches or round pin sockets, a sure sign that a rewire is needed.

What’s involved in a rewire?

Rewires are messy and are best achieved in two stages, usually before any plastering has been done and at the same time as any plumbing or central heating work. This is also best achieved without any furniture or carpets in place, as ceilings and walls will need to be cut into and floorboards lifted to allow for installation of cables and wiring. The real difficulty will occur if carrying out a rewire in an inhabited dwelling, where apart from the moving of furniture and lifting of carpet you must ensure that the first and second fix of each circuit needs to be carried out at the same. This is to ensure that the power is reconnected every evening for the occupants to have electricity, which can add significant time and expense to any project.

Second fix is when switches, lights and front faceplates of sockets are fitted, connected up and then tested before being made live.

Things to consider during first fix – which includes all of the wiring for:

• circuits and back boxes
• internal lighting and external security lights
• garden RCD safety sockets
• central heating controls
• doorbells
• smoke detectors and heat alarms
• shaving points
• television aerial sockets
• hard-wired burglar alarms
• telephone points
• data
• speaker cabling
• any hidden cabling

Second fix involves:

• connecting up the consumer unit
• connecting up the boiler, immersion heater and central heating controls
• faceplates for sockets and switches
• light fittings
• wiring any electric fans
• cookers and extractor hoods
• electric showers

We have put together a handy Domestic Rewire Check List which you are welcome to download here.

How long will it take?

Assuming there are no hidden surprises, a typical kitchen rewire should take two days to complete. A three-bed semi should take two days to first fix and two days to second fix. Larger properties will take much longer.

Moving a consumer meter

The customer will need to contact their electricity utility company and UK Power Networks if the mains connection and meter need to be moved. This will need to be booked in, in advance, as it can take several weeks for the works to start as new cabling, meter and reconnection needs to happen simultaneously. Utility companies and UK Power will charge for this work.

The importance of earthing

Earthing is a vital part of any electrical work to ensure that all circuits are protected and a clear path to earth is in place in the event of a fault within the installation. All new electrical installations are classed as notifiable work, this means that the work must be carried out and/or signed off by a competent person and Building Control must be informed. If correct earthing is not in place and the test readings do not match those laid out in BS 7671 the installation will not meet regulations and cannot be signed off and energised.

Rewires along with all electrical installations or modification should be carried out by a competent electrician.

The post Electricians Guide to a Domestic Rewire appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

To help you make a decision we have put together a summary of what a Domestic Installer Scheme is and how to become part of one.

What is a Domestic Installer Scheme

Domestic Installer schemes are designed to ensure that any electrical installations are carried out in accordance with the current Building Regulations.

Our advice is that once you have completed your electrical training and gained your qualifications, you will need to decide what type of domestic electrical work you will be undertaking, and decide whether it is financially viable for you to join a Government Approved Installer Scheme (sometimes known as Part P schemes).

Currently under Approved Document Part P electricians are permitted to do a lot of work without the need to notify Building Control, however, it is important to understand the type of jobs that require you to notify Building Control, these include;

• Replacing new circuit board/consumer units
• Installing a completely new circuit
• Alteration or addition in special locations to an existing circuit (bathroom within zones)

If you decide that joining an approved installer scheme is right for you there are a few to choose from such as NICEIC, ELECSA and STROMA. However, it’s worth checking out what the scheme provider requirements are before you go ahead, as these are different for each provider.

Save money and time

You don’t have to join a scheme, but if you don’t you will need to notify building control every time to do work that is notifiable. This will mean more work as well as added costs (usually around £150 per job). That’s fine if you are not doing very much notifiable work but if you do more than 3 notifiable jobs per year it often makes financial sense to join a scheme, plus there is a host of other benefits such as support, using their logo on your marketing materials and a huge time saving too.

If you want to secure your own private business, or work as a sub-contractor you will need to be able to sign off your own work. By joining an approved installer scheme you will be able to sign off notifiable work and certify that it meets current regulations. This means that you won’t have to contact Building Control directly each time you complete a notifiable piece of work, or be supervised by another electrician to sign off your work. This can only be good news for you, as you will not only save time waiting for building control to turn up, but you will also save money that you would have had to pay out to another electrician.

Customer confidence

By belonging to a Part P scheme you/your business will be added to a central electrician’s register. This will mean that local customers will be able to find you with confidence that you are working to the current Building and Wiring Regulations and safety standards for domestic dwellings.

How much will it cost to join?

The annual membership fees for Domestic Installers vary by scheme providers and range from £255 to £445 + VAT (with discounts available for payment by annual DD). The fee usually includes one year’s membership, an initial on-line assessment plus the cost of an on-site practical assessment. The assessment is designed to ensure that you are a competent person and typically the type of on-site assessment will include two new circuits or work that has been carried out in the last 12 months.

Save £50 with NICEIC and ELECSA

When you train with us not only do you benefit from the exceptional training and state-of-the-art facilities, you will also benefit from a £50 discount when you join either the NICEIC or ELECSA (both part of Certsure) domestic installer schemes.

If you are interested in training as an domestic electrical installer we have a number of courses available to choose from. Please visit our course finder page to find out more.

The post Do I Need to Join a Domestic Installer Scheme? appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

• Which should you become?
• Which is best?
• Which will give you a better life and job satisfaction?
• What is the difference?

Well in the most simple terms, new entrant Domestic Installers are limited to installing single phase in domestic dwellings (houses, flats, bungalows etc etc) as where Commercial Contractors are not limited to just single phase, they can install a variety of cables including single and 3 phase in all sectors (Industrial, Agricultural etc.) However there is a lot more to it than that so don’t make your decisions just yet!

Training

To start working you obviously need the qualifications and there is a considerable difference in time and cost to consider.

Typically you are looking at around 4 -5 weeks and £2200 – 2500 for a full domestic package (Practical workshops, 2392 Inspect & Test, Part-P and 17th Edition) we offer this in our Bronze package for £2245.

The commercial qualification the City and Guilds 2365 takes around 16 weeks to complete and costs £6990 with ourselves.

Lifestyle

You need to ask yourself what sort of lifestyle you want with your new career.

Most domestic installers that train with Trade Skills 4U tend to become self-employed and set up their own company’s. There are pros and cons to running your own company however wouldn’t it be nice to choose your own working hours and for you to be financially rewarded for working that little bit harder than the guy next to you?

However if you are looking for the stability of a yearly salary and set hours then the commercial route may be your preferred option, below I have listed the advantages to both routes:

• Uncapped Pay
• Better social working hours
• Freedom
• Variety of jobs
• Face to face interaction with customers
• Quicker and low cost of training
• Good salary
• Job security
• Length of jobsWorking in a team
• Working in exciting sector and venues
• Good career progression
• Lower initial start-up cost (tools, van)
• Areas to specialise

What do our customers tend to do?

Below is a table showing the split of courses that new entrants to the industry take with Trade Skills 4U. We can see that domestic installers appear to be the more popular option:

However with 24+ loans and the economy on the turn we have noticed a shift in 2013 of learners taking the longer course options to get full qualified.

At the end of the day everyone’s situation is different so you have to weigh up the pro’s and con’s for yourself. Ask yourself these questions:

1. How much time and money can you afford to spend training?
2. How quickly do you need to start earning?
3. Do you prefer working on your own or as part of a team?
4. Do you want to run your own business or would you prefer to be employed?

Generally we would summarise it as simply as this, if you are a mature career changer then the domestic route has a lot more to offer you. We say this on the basis that people normally have family’s to support and bills to pay, the domestic route gets you working within the industry much faster and gives you all the skills you need to work with a firm or become self-employed.

At a later date if you want to up skill to offer commercial skills then you can finish the modules in order to do so but you will be working in the industry and find it much easier to support yourself.

If you are looking to start your new career and have the time and finances then the commercial route is the obvious course to select as you will be trained in a much broader spectrum of work and will be able to take on more work.

The post Domestic vs Commercial? Which Way Should I Go? appeared first on Tradeskills4u.

It seems there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to deciding a day rate, and indeed, approximately a third of our responses suggested that a day rate is not always used in all circumstances.

Day Rate Influences

When discussing day rates with electricians through our survey, it was clear that 2 reasons were identified that influenced heavily over the final day rate that was charged to the customer:

• Business Costs
• Competition with other electricians

How electricians are working

Rather than pin electricians down to reveal their day rate, we decided to listen more to how they actually work which adds usefulness to the results. Rather than obtain an array of ‘day rates’ we decided to compare the earning potential of the differing ways of working which will hopefully serve to help other electricians who are struggling in increase their earnings.

Sub-Contracting vs Working Directly for your Customer

We had a good response from the guys who work as sub-contractors as well as getting their own work. Many of them spoke from experience when deciding on a day rate for their own work. A lot of sub-contractors forget to add the additional costs such as materials, accreditation, insurance and travel and quote what they are used to earning.

Many electricians work both directly for customers and as sub contractors, however it is important to distinguish your day rate from the two.

Sub-contract work can be great for building up experience and bringing your skills in line with other electricians. Although you will earn less than working direct for a customer, you will not have to worry about additional business costs.

Sub Contract Work Rate: £130-£150 per day

Day Rate vs Quote for Individual Works

Some electricians who responded suggested their customers save money by being quoted a price for the work itself. This allows the customer to budget sensibly for the work needed as they know exactly how much it will cost.

This method allows several jobs to be completed efficiently in the one day which could actually result in better earnings than quoting one price for the whole day.

Result: Win:Win – Customer can manage their budget better

Quote for work rate: £200+ per day

Day Rate vs Hourly Rate

A small number of electricians chose to work to hourly rates. This can be useful for smaller jobs and if there may be problems in the property that may present themselves such as removal of furniture before the job starts, lifting of carpets, floorboards, parquet flooring etc. Hourly rates can work out well if you are working in older homes where it is not clear what has been done before.

Hourly Rate: £34 per hour in London

Electricians who choose to work on day rates

Day rates vary between electricians, and is dependant on factors such as location, parking, and travel costs. Add to this the cost of accreditation and insurance that every electrician has to consider and it is clear to see how the costs are worked out.

The key point is to identify the rate which you would be happy with. Then demonstrate to the customer how your services are worth paying for. There is no point working to make no money, after all we all have bills to pay. Getting work is not just about your day rate. Customers also rate character as a high influence over whether they use an electrician. Factors such as

• knowledge,
• confidence,
• politeness
• professionalism are key.

If you get these items right, you are half way to getting the job. The other part is turning up on time.

Domestic Electricians Day Rate: £200 – £250 per day

Other Considerations

Naturally day rates can be affected by the number of electricians required to carry out the work and if you have a trainee electrician or apprentice working with you. There is also a difference between working 2 half days to one full day in terms of costs and paperwork as well as whether you charge VAT.

Conclusion

Simply asking an electrician what their day rate is touching the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to a day rate than simply calculating business costs and adding a bit on for yourself. The resulting day rate is the culmination of marketing research, great customer service, a great job and positioning yourself as a knowledgeable electrician in your area.

However, when all said and done it is not the amount paid that makes you good. It is ‘would the customer call you again’ is where it is really at.

The post What’s the Average Day Rate for Domestic Electrical Work? appeared first on Tradeskills4u.