Who is the best to register with ?

[jonthesparks]

I'm looking to take the next step , to register with a self certification body , but not sure who is the best ? any recommendations ? :dizzy2:

 

[highspark]

They're all rubbish and they all let in unqualified, inexperienced people. I kid you not its all a big scam. Just because you are part of a competent persons scheme doesn't mean anything. We register because we have to!

 

[Flyingsparks]

I think that they are all as bad as each other and just trying to make as much money as possible !

I have been an NICEIC approved contractor for over 25 years and they were OK in the early days, but now just keep trying to sell you insurance, training, tools etc

 

[jonthesparks]

Well then i'll just take the cheapest option . personally i think niceic have advertised themselves as the "be all and end all" of domestic electrical which is unfortunately BS , I have a 2391 cert and tbh thought it was my ticket to prove that I am competent enough to put my signature on a cert , but since i've been doing the odd pj for mates building firms and they have been getting hassle for using a spark who is not affiliated when getting labc to sign off the job , i dont want to risk losing their business so i'm forced to either not bother or pay up .seems like the gas guys have it sorted

 

[MarkieSparkie]

At one time or another I have had dealings with all the current registration bodies with the exception of Corgi and Stroma. The only one I would recommend is ECA/ELECSA as they are the only ones in my experience who are genuinely interested in the success of their members businesses. The helpline staff and assessors I have had contact with are all time-served sparks, not only do they know the regs but also the practical day-day stuff.

 

[gavin26]

Personally I see Elecsa as the weaker of the 3. I'm with NICEIC. They don't offer much assistance to be realy honest

 

[Dave 85]

I use elecsa and have no probs, I find they are more interested in helping you be a good sparky than trying to prove you're not. The two Elecsa guys I've met were both really sound.

 

[nickblake]

Im with elecsa , true proffesional out fit with back up which is next to non and when i reached the final in screwfix britains to trades man and the electrical industry awards final there support was fantastic and be honest when your supported by a trade body like i was that have experianced and working sparks then thats the body i will stay with so its Elecsa / ECA for me

 

[stuartr]

Every one of them is a scam,cant see what they do for their money tbh,especially when they charge for notifiction on top,£200 for annual assesment ,where does the other £200odd quid go. 'jobs for the boys'

 

[tonycoysh]

I use Elecsa, I mostly went with them after reading NICEIC, Napit & Elecsa's websites etc and Elecsa seemed to be aimed a bit more in the 'one man band' (my opinion only) and cheaper at the time. I'm not sure that I'll bother renewing this year as the amount of notifiable work I actually do may as well be done through the LABC but I have until september to make my mind up.

 

[ezzzekiel]

dont bother with any anymore hand certs direct to labc, and would happily go to court and ask how comes i was competant for the five years i was a member but all of a sudden im not as i refuse to keep handing over cash to corrupt organisations who have no interest in the industry.

 

[tonycoysh]

dont bother with any anymore hand certs direct to labc.

I take it that this is something you agree/arrange with your LABC as I mentioned in my previous post, I am thinking of doing the same

 

[nickblake]

Every one of them is a scam,cant see what they do for their money tbh,especially when they charge for notifiction on top,£200 for annual assesment ,where does the other £200odd quid go. 'jobs for the boys'

Technical support is worth £200.00 a year ill tell you , and you have the backing of them belive you me if something goes wrong then they are with you

 

[stuartr]

dont bother with any anymore hand certs direct to labc, and would happily go to court and ask how comes i was competant for the five years i was a member but all of a sudden im not as i refuse to keep handing over cash to corrupt organisations who have no interest in the industry.

I think we all should!!

 

[rich.250]

I'm with Elecsa, seem fairly
Useful and not to dear.....
Only problem is people don't understand that if your not nic
You can still do the job.
Had lots of people say no cos your not nic!!


Can someone explain to me if eca and nic approved contractor are similar and cover for commercial and industrial??
If so I will join eca aswell as Elecsa for domestic
Thanks

 

[stuartr]

Technical support is worth £200.00 a year ill tell you , and you have the backing of them belive you me if something goes wrong then they are with you

So who did we ask ask before we were a scam members,i'm not saying i know everything,but i would question my ability if i had to spend £200 on a technical helpline every year for domestic
works might be good value if your a plumber or kitchen fitter.Anyway advice on here is free and imo better because you get different opinions/advice!

 

[wildgoose]

Very satisfied with ECA/Elecsa - a friendly and professional organisation. My opinion is that since the ECA has taken control, they have really got their act together and now have a much higher profile within the industry.

In contrast, I've listened to some poor feedback about the NICEIC. The general concensus from my colleagues, is that they have turned into an outfit that's out to extract as much money as they can get away with from members. That suggests the NICEIC may not be value for money - is this fair to say ????

 

[stuartr]

Very satisfied with ECA/Elecsa - a friendly and professional organisation. My opinion is that since the ECA has taken control, they have really got their act together and now have a much higher profile within the industry.

In contrast, I've listened to some poor feedback about the NICEIC. The general concensus from my colleagues, is that they have turned into an outfit that's out to extract as much money as they can get away with from members. That suggests the NICEIC may not be value for money - is this fair to say ????

yep im with NICEIC and also feel this way.

 

[ezzzekiel]

Technical support is worth £200.00 a year ill tell you , and you have the backing of them belive you me if something goes wrong then they are with you

I cant see how technical support would be required by professional electricians (got the big book for anything we need to know) and the only time ive seen something go wrong was through a friend (who shouldnt of been allowed to register with a scheme in the first place) and the support and supposedly free legal support that was believed to be in with membership fees was totally shocking.

You may feel the need and justification of membership, im just relaying my (and known) experiences

 

[ezzzekiel]

I take it that this is something you agree/arrange with your LABC as I mentioned in my previous post, I am thinking of doing the same

Yes i believe most Labc would accept certs direct if you go to them with proof of qualifications/ experience, at the end of the day it saves them the trouble. The only problem with this method would be if you cover a lot of different authority areas. This isnt really an issue for me i knew the previous build inspector for many years via jobs he was checking on.

 

[stuartr]

Yes i believe most Labc would accept certs direct if you go to them with proof of qualifications/ experience, at the end of the day it saves them the trouble. The only problem with this method would be if you cover a lot of different authority areas. This isnt really an issue for me i knew the previous build inspector for many years via jobs he was checking on.

This is certainly the case near me(show them your c&g quals) no need for comp persons scheme,feel like im wasting my money!

 

[tonycoysh]

Thanks ezzzekiel & stuartr will look into this nearer the time that mine runs out.

 

[TaffyDuck]

Well I left NIC after in 2007 after 2 years because I felt they were completely self interested and only interested in getting as much money out of me as possible. It also annoyed me that they advertised themselves as THE government body as opposed to A government body. Would rather be with none of them however Elecsa have proved to be good guys. My assessor is a very knowledgeable bloke, really has his finger on the pulse of what is happening in the industry which for a small business like me is very useful. Technical is useful too, they always call you back quickly.

 

[v.elec]

NICEIC means nothing. It doesn't prove quality in any organisation with regard to electrical installations whatsoever. NICEIC were clearly formed by the Electrical Safety Council as a way of getting money out of businesses.

For one man to be qualified in a company as a QS, SOMEHOW means that ALL electricians who are employed by that business are skilled and qualified personnel. You could have a company with ONE approved electrician, and FIFTY labourers. Does that mean to say that THEY are BETTER than a company who have FIFTY approved electricians who are NOT NICEIC registered??! Because that's all you need don't forget, one qualfied man, and one guy who does H&S paperwork (principal duty holder). Every other person in the organisation, whether they are a CLOWN or not, fly under that flag of NICEIC.

But here's the irony: everyone will, some day, be a member of the NICEIC. Because why?

Because it's a sign of the times...

 

[Guest 004]

All my clients insist on niceic. To be honest never heard elecsa before i joined this forum ;o)

 

[rich.250]

It's a joke, I'm with the eca and has lost 22 eicr jobs in a 3 month period.
Because I'm not niceic 'qualified'!!!
I am fully qualified a lot more qualified than half the nic lot around here.
When people realise its not a qualification and just a pay to join club things will be better. I'm having no choice ATM but to transfer to them to get the testing jobs.

 

[Flyingsparks]

The problem is that the NICEIC have been around a heck of a lot longer than any of the others and we find that most of the organisations that we work for automatically ask for an NICEIC approved contractor when electrical inspection work is required.

Unfortunately some of these companies have never even heard of Napit or Elecsa etc.

 

[mpspark]

I was under the impression that ELECSA state that they would speak to 'organisations / councils' on a members behalf in cases where only NICEIC membership is specified.
Anyone tried to arrange this or heard of it happening?

 

[fattony]

It's a joke, I'm with the eca and has lost 22 eicr jobs in a 3 month period.
Because I'm not niceic 'qualified'!!!
I am fully qualified a lot more qualified than half the nic lot around here.
When people realise its not a qualification and just a pay to join club things will be better. I'm having no choice ATM but to transfer to them to get the testing jobs.

Talk to the ECA, I had a facility management company who would not deal with me as I wasn't NICEIC (I'm NAPIT) I contacted NAPIT and asked what are my options here and they emailed me over loads of info stating they are UKAS approved and my membership status was the same as a full scope NICEIC member.

After they read through I won the job and loads more afterwards

Give them a call, NICEIC are the biggest branded but others are moving in, I personally see the ECA as the weaker one (just my opinion)

 

[plugsandsparks]

I am with NAPIT, i find it really simple in terms of charging because it covers me for ervything i get involved with i.e. Domestic, PAT, EICR etc and i dont do much notifiable work so i dont pay anymore for notifying through them as you get credits with the annual subs. I do like their insurance and have saved alot, they also organised a trade show in my local town and i got all my test equipment calibrated for £10 a pop. As for the NICEIC well when i contacted them originally (twice) they never bothered to send me the joining pack, says it all really.
Job i am working on now was originally specified as NEIEIC, but i just told him i am with NAPIT told hime what it stood for emailed him the webpage link and he was fine. I know of one brewer who only allowed NIC and NAPIT members to work on their pubs but yet to be excluded from work.
Also have only used the technical help twice (both to do with DNO problems) and they gave me the info over the phone.
I understand that there is a under-current of dis-satisfaction with these bodies but i see them as a necessary evil and i get what i need from them.

 

[Sav]

I too was a member of Elecsa Approved Contractor scheme.
They are fantastic and their tech help is superb.

Unfortunately, I have had to leave them and join NICEIC Approved Contractor scheme, due to loosing about 4 big contracts for periodics and some smaller ones as well.

Elecsa did speak to the relevant councils but to no avail.

If only Elecsa promoted themselves more, radio, TV newspapers etc, then maybe people would get to know them more.
Shame really,
Sav

 

[Sav]

I too was a member of Elecsa Approved Contractor scheme.
They are fantastic and their tech help is superb.
Unfortunately, I have had to leave them and join NICEIC Approved Contractor scheme, due to loosing about 4 big contracts for periodics and some smaller ones as well.
Elecsa did speak to the relevant councils but to no avail.
If only Elecsa promoted themselves more, radio, TV newspapers etc, then maybe people would get to know them more.
Shame really,
Sav

 

[Guest 004]

Yep my main work is with the councils. NICEIC is a must, or you can just forget it.

 

[rich.250]

I have tried to get the eca to do something. Although it seems to be insurance companies insisting on nic.
It's part of there own terms. Which bugs me.
Never mind, can't beat them join them lol.

 

[rich.250]

Yep my main work is with the councils. NICEIC is a must, or you can just forget it.

I don't mind joining them. I don't see that as an issue. It's just when they print things in there publications that are wrong ( discussed on here i believe) and I remember some of the things the inspector came out with at my previous company. Makes me wonder what I'm getting into. Let alone how much more it costs lol.

 

[v.elec]

Hardly anyone recognises NAPIT, ELECSA, etc.

NICEIC is the one in which contractors/clients want to see.

 

[QSGAZ]

Like most of the comments on here my company need to be NICEIC to carry the contracts out. I am the QS for my company and we have over 150 engineers, I have made a audit sheet that i carry out on my egineers to make sure that there workmanship is up to a high standard and that they working to the 17th. I assess them like i am assessed by the NICEIC. Like Mr Enigma said i hadnt heard of elesca untill i started this forum.

 

[Engineer54]

I'm not sure that insurance Insurance companies or any local authority have the right to exclude Government Approved providers. This smacks of monopoly trading that's open to all sorts of abuse and corruptive practices....

Not that i have any sympathies for any of these provers, but i can't see how any company or local government body can exclude other approved providers that offer exactly the same service!! Basically, this is unfair trading at it's worst...

Those poor other providers are being scammed! lol!!!

 

[rich.250]

Lol. The thing is whos going to stop them......
I joined eca thinking that they would be equally recognised..... I was wrong.
I can't be bothered with the Agro of arguing and explaining every phone call for a EICR LOL!!