r/ukelectricians

Yes, I know, "get a sparky", I did, he's not come back for 2nd fix.

Got a guy in, 2 new circuits and some modifications to the existing radial circuit.

Initial quote was £475, since the quote I added an additional appliance (3amp FCU) for a hydronic plinth heater, on the day that 475 quote went up to 500. Totally fine with me, it was an extra.

It took a little while longer for me to fit the kitchen, due to an incompetent gas engineer that left me with a leak, twice and some faulty units from the supplier.

Anyway, as it stands my kitchen is done, I just need the 2nd fix doing.

I have above 4 worktop sockets not fixed to back boxes, as the plasterers undid these. I have replacement face plates for these, sparky knew about these, it was part of the quote to change them.

My plinth heater needs wiring to the FCU and the fuse swapping to a 3 amp

1 above counter socket is new, so just a back box, it's wagoed at the moment.

3 sets of cables in cupboards for in cupboard sockets, 1 is the washing machine, I have one of those IP66 sockets for that as it's under the sink.

New socket for the extractor, just cable/wagos. I have a faceplate for that

Then both new circuits, are just cables 6mm for the hob, 2.5mm for oven, RCBOs in place, circuits are off at the board, wagos the other end.

My sparky said he was coming today and then "forgot", now he's off on holiday. I'm obviously a bit pissed off he "forgot" given he said today, just 2 days ago.

I paid the first part of his quote £350, within minutes of receiving the invoice. So I haven't paid the last bit.

He's a proper spark, seemed a nice guy, I've had a shit time with more trades than just the twat GSE that could have killed my kid and me.

Obviously I can't sign anything off, I'm not qualified. I do know how to swap fuses and faceplates, add them, etc.

Got myself some eggs and bread in anticipation of the big switch on, I've been craving scrambled egg on toast forever.

I also emptied loads of units today, for nothing.

I can do the rest, right? I can then just pay for an EICR on my kitchen, can't I?

Honestly, I did the right thing with gas and electrics and I still can't cook an egg. No, I'm not doing them in the microwave, as I want the good stuff.

I do handyman jobs and could do with a simple socket tester, don't want to buy sketchy unknown Amazon brands but also don't know what's acceptable quality.

Hello, i am in glasgow, im leaving uni in my second year as I disliked the course. Im tempted to pursue a career as an electrician. What would be the best way to do this, what should I expect, and any advice regarding this would be appreciated.

hey,

i can’t decide if i should go and do an electrical course at my college 😅, it seems alr and i’ve done a tatster session but tbh i don’t think i wanna do that as a career i js think its a good skill to learn. do you guys think there’s a point of even doing it if i dont wanna do it as a career? tbh idk what i wanna do as a career…im kinda lost and need to decide for this september, any advice is appreciated!

thanks, bye

Hi can anyone recommend public liability insurances that cover income after accident/illness too. Sole trader electrician domestic/commercial/ industrial but mainly industrial. Currently pay £32 a month for separate income cover and getting quoted £500-600 a year for public liability, but I’m sure it would be cheaper to cover both together. Thanks

Hi gang, needing some advice!

I've been working for my boss for nearly a year now. He got me over the line after working for a difficult employer my whole apprenticeship. Absolutely love working again and really enjoy working with my boss. Good workload, local, nice work and don't feel overworked anymore.

However, we are at a bit of a crossroads since I've gotten my qualifications.

I've gotten a payrise up to 16.50. Its fair at the moment because although I'm more than capable of running my own jobs and doing (pretty much) everything he does (just at a slightly slower pace), I work with with him pretty much as an improver. Once I start going out on my own again I will get a rise up to the going rate or above.

However, he is reluctant to buy me a van, and would rather I buy one myself. He's very transparent about the reasons and we have a good relationship so it's fine, but as im providing all my own tools and then a van on top I'm going to need a pretty sizeable pay increase.

So wondering whether it'd be better in ya'lls opinion if I went fully subby, and asked for the going rate (£25 p/hr +) or stayed employed but then ask for (£?). Not sure what the better option is. How much would you ask for as an employed spark providing own tools and van?

TLDR: how much would you ask for ££ as a newly qualified subby with own tools and van, and how much would you ask for employed with the same?

Thanks gang! Enjoy your bank holidays!

Looking for what everyone else does here as it can be argued both ways.

Situation: Rental house gets inspected and the EICR is unsatisfactory.  Has some C2s and a one of the DBs need changing. 

Works gets done.  Gets a EIC for the new DB. Letting agent expects a satisfactory EICR so we reissue the EICR as satisfactory to show other work has been done in the installation alongside the EIC for notification of works in relation to the new DB.

The difference in opinion:  The EIC ALSO counts a satisfactory result for the whole of the installation. Despite it just being for the 1 DB. It does say on there when to inspect next.

Or: The EIC is just for notification of works and doesn't mentioned the other C2s .

EIC will count as satisfactory result for a new build and a full rewire as mentioned on the gov website.  personally i will reissue the satisfactory EICR as its what the letting agent asks for. Letting agent pays us so if thats what they want...

For a normal unsatisfactory we would do the work then reissue the EICR as satisfactory.

Hi everyone, what do you guys do during quiet periods? Do you wait it out till work picks up again? Is google add a good option? Or do we just rely on hope.

Also I’ve noticed January and May have always been quiet is this the case with everyone else?

Recently graduated uni and have had no job prospects. So I've been thinking about getting into the electrical trade, but after looking into it, the route seems so complicated. You've got NVQ's, Level 3s, City and Guild's, Apprenticeships, HNCs/HND's etc. Like why is the vocational sector so complicated with all these different types of qualifiations. What do they all mean and what is the easiest route for someone to become an electrician in the UK and how much cost are we looking at? And how can I become self employed and start doing my own jobs?

Is it just me or is copex far common these days then say 2015ish?

Both plastic and metal I see everywhere now.

Level 2 enquiry

I completed my C&G 2346-02 Experienced Worker (Level 2) on 28th March. How long can I expect to wait to get the certificate so I can sign up to the 2346-03 (Level 3)? I’ve emailed the training provider a couple of times already and have only been told the level 2 has been passed and I’ll get the certificate “soon”. I can’t sign up to the level 3 until I get this certificate so am getting quite impatient

(Qualifications FAST TRACK COURSE 3-4 Months)
Step 1: Enrol in the City & Guilds 2365 Level 2 Diploma.

Step 2: Pass the Level 2 practical tasks and multiple-choice exams.

Step 3: Enrol in the City & Guilds 2365 Level 3 Diploma.

Step 4: Pass the advanced Level 3 science, fault-finding, and inspection exams.

Step 5: Pass the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (City & Guilds 2382) exam.

(Begin ONSITE)
Step 6: Apply for an ECS Trainee Electrician Card.

Step 7: Secure a job as an Electrician’s Mate or Improver.

Step 8: Enrol in the NVQ Level 3 Diploma.

Step 9: Gather photo and video evidence of your site installations.

Step 10: Pass the workspace assessments with your NVQ assessor.

Step 11: Pass the AM2 Practical Assessment 3-day exam.

Step 12: Apply for your ECS Installation Electrician Gold Card.

Total 2-3 years what do you think?

I am currently studying my NVQ level 2 at total skills, going to progress down the NVQ 3 and AM2 route. I am getting very little practical useful knowledge.

I am wanting to reach out to local sparks in my area offering to mate for free, to help with real life experience and pass the AM2.

Is this a strange thing to offer? Also how would I go about this in real terms, I think it would come across as a sales call if I ring folk up.

Looking to install a double socket into my garage. There is existing wiring around the top of the garage which happy to be wired down to the socket inside trunking. Any ideas how much it should cost?

Hi all, I am about to finish my level 2 C&G, I will be finished early June. I am going to complete the ECS HS&E test once complete and then apply for the ECS card.

The aim is to ring all the agencies to try get on site. I would just like to know, should I apply for the trainee card or the labourer card?