Do I need to be in a CPS scheme?

Steve T89 · Oct 28, 2020

I'm looking to start up my own business as a Domestic Installer, however I'm confused as to whether I need to be a member of a CPS scheme or not.
I have a lvl 3 inspection and testing C&G and completed an installer course and introduction to 3 phase.
I have c&g 18th ed regs.

To become part of a CPS scheme (Part P registered) every company says I need two years experience.

I have experience in small electrical jobs (eg changing of fixtures), but not two years worth of domestic installing as I'm only just qualified and not registered.

Can I carry out domestic electrical work as long as I notify the LABC? This is the only way I can see to build up 2 years experience. I read somewhere that this would incur a great cost and elsewhere that it was illegal for me to carry out work without being in a CPS.

This is so confusing and I cannot find a specific answer to my question. For a industry that is desperate for more qualified technicians you would think that they would make it clear and simple to go from getting qualified to actual work, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Please can someone give me a straight answer?!

telectrix · Oct 28, 2020

you should be able to join niceic as a DI. contact them and explain the situation .

Steve T89 · Oct 28, 2020

telectrix said:
you should be able to join niceic as a DI. contact them and explain the situation .

Thanks Teletrix,

I tried calling them earlier but after waiting 30mins and still being told I had a long wait I decided to call back tomorrow at a quieter time (hopefully).

I found that the cost of notifying my LABC would cost around £350, which is a ridiculous cost for me to apply to say one new circuit.

So I guess the real question is how do I gain 1 to 2 years required experience to join a CPS when I can't do any work that could be approved without over pricing myself out of competition. I was warned about this chicken and egg situation when doing my course.

I'm doing my periodic exam next month, so I can do an EICR but can't do a new circuit!? Lol

Time for a break! I'll speak to them direct in the morning, hopefully they can shed some light. Ta again!

telectrix · Oct 28, 2020

mate of mine joined with no problems straight after his DI course. bear in mind, they want your money, so should consider you favourably. you could start off with smaller non-notifiable jobs whist applying, then once the ball is rolling, do a couple of notifiable jobs for assessment , then notify through niceic once joined.

Steve T89 · Oct 28, 2020

telectrix said:
mate of mine joined with no problems straight after his DI course. bear in mind, they want your money, so should consider you favourably. you could start off with smaller non-notifiable jobs whist applying, then once the ball is rolling, do a couple of notifiable jobs for assessment , then notify through niceic once joined.

Cheers Teletrix,

I think I've just found it in their requirements too (only took 4 hours!). New applicants just need to show competence in the work your likely to carry out, no mention of the experience that's in the main scheme requirements.

Phew! Yeah makes sense they'd be happy to take our cash! I've got a DB change and some alterations to do so I can use that hopefully.
Thanks again man, I was getting a bit stressed xD
Time for a beer!

Vortigern · Oct 28, 2020

Just took on someone like you with a similar background. To be frank I don't think you should go it alone at the moment. You do need to get work with an experienced electrician and build up to it. Yes you could go out and do minor works without scheme membership. Insurance might be quite expensive though. You can ask the local building control how they would view your submitting certs for more major work. But judging by the competency of the person I just took on I would say that you need someone to hone your skills and safe working practices. As to periodic inspection, I am mystified how you can do that! It at least was a requirement to have two years experience to even do the course.

Midwest · Oct 28, 2020

Vortigern said:
Just took on someone like you with a similar background. To be frank I don't think you should go it alone at the moment. You do need to get work with an experienced electrician and build up to it. Yes you could go out and do minor works without scheme membership. Insurance might be quite expensive though. You can ask the local building control how they would view your submitting certs for more major work. But judging by the competency of the person I just took on I would say that you need someone to hone your skills and safe working practices. As to periodic inspection, I am mystified how you can do that! It at least was a requirement to have two years experience to even do the course.

I agree with @Vortigern. I returned to the industry, a few years back after a long break. Did a couple of jobs to start, on my own. I quickly realised I need some recent experience and knowledge. Did some subbing with a local contractor, and picked up a lot of knowledge.

The various Schemes will tell you what quals and work examples they want to see. I don't think they have any qualms about your experience level, but you should consider that yourself, bearing in mind you will be working in peoples homes.

Vortigern · Oct 28, 2020

Steve T89 said:
Time for a beer!

No, it's too early for that!

)

Steve T89 · Oct 28, 2020

Thanks for the advice, but I feel confident I have learnt the skills required during my time qualifying. Plus I have had experience doing some non notifiable work and working alongside an electrician I know. However this would not amount to the 2 years experience it seemed required (which it isn't for new applicants).

I say I'm newly qualified but I actually qualified a few years back, I just didn't take the new regs until recently as the jobs I've was doing at that point were building or decorating jobs, so I didn't need it. That gave me the experience to do tidy electrician work now I've completed my regs. (97% thankyou!)

As for the periodic inspection course, the only requirement was initial inspection and verification and the regs.

Zerax · Oct 28, 2020

Vortigern said:
As to periodic inspection, I am mystified how you can do that! It at least was a requirement to have two years experience to even do the course.

From my experience... I'm not convinced that there's much of a correlation between experience and quality of EICRs. But maybe that's just from what I see...

Midwest · Oct 28, 2020

Steve T89 said:
Thanks for the advice, but I feel confident I have learnt the skills required during my time qualifying. Plus I have had experience doing some non notifiable work and working alongside an electrician I know. However this would not amount to the 2 years experience it seemed required (which it isn't for new applicants).

I say I'm newly qualified but I actually qualified a few years back, I just didn't take the new regs until recently as the jobs I've was doing at that point were building or decorating jobs, so I didn't need it. That gave me the experience to do tidy electrician work now I've completed my regs. (97% thankyou!)

As for the periodic inspection course, the only requirement was initial inspection and verification and the regs.

Where has this 'two years experience' requirement been quantified? Might be a good requirement, but never seen it stated IME

Cheezy6904 · Oct 28, 2020

This is something I've also been looking at as I've planned to take a similar route. The info they send out states
Proposed Qualified Supewisor has at least 2 years responsibility
for electrical work. But doesn't say it has to be notifiable work. So could you carry out non notifiable work and for any jobs that required signing off sub in a registered sparky to work with you to supervise and sign off for an agreed fee? Or look to sub out to them. You may only need a couple of jobs as evidence for registration towards the end of your two years. That way your still building your own business rather then just working for someone else.

Cheezy6904 · Oct 28, 2020

Heres the info they have on all the cps providers websites

Midwest · Oct 29, 2020

I can’t open that link.

Cheezy6904 · Oct 29, 2020

Do I need to be in a CPS scheme?

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