1 year on but have questions..

[Karl91]

Hi guys,

So been in the job for a year now, I have done 1st fixing and a lot of ducting in that time, all in residential new builds.

The problem is my friends & family have been asking me to do jobs for them in their houses (outside lights, extra sockets, 2 way switching etc). I feel like because I've only worked in new builds I wouldn't be the most confident doing jobs in someones house as I have no experience. I keep thinking how would I do things like lifting up carpet & floorboards, drilling through walls, drilling holes in the ceiling etc without ruining the house! I also feel a bit silly being an electrician & not being able to confidently say 'yes i can do that for you'.

I have been thinking of ringing up smaller firms in my area as I would be able to do a wider variety of electrical work and gain more confidence.

Any advice from you guys would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Pat H]

Tagging along with somebody doing domestic work would help but then again they know they are training up their competition...
I just think of it as my own house and how would I want to deal with it. Sometimes my way isn't the cheapest or quickest and if a customer wants a shortcut and is happy then all's good.

 

[Midwest]

OP I don't how these schemes work now for trainees/apprentices. Are you working for a company as trainee or apprentice?

 

[westward10]

Don't work for friends and family.

 

[Midwest]

Don't work for friends and family.

Only if its a love job

 

[FatAlan]

I've a few friends and family that would like various bits of work done. My moto is going to be ... practice on friends and family ;-). I'll let you know this time next year if I have any friends left.

 

[Karl91]

OP I don't how these schemes work now for trainees/apprentices. Are you working for a company as trainee or apprentice?

I'm a trainee, not doing a 'proper' apprenticeship as i'm not doing the NVQ just the city & guilds.

 

[sparksburnout]

I'm a trainee, not doing a 'proper' apprenticeship as i'm not doing the NVQ just the city & guilds.

I am a bit confused, how are you training then??

 

[Karl91]

I am a bit confused, how are you training then??

I'm employed by a company and doing my level 3 at college but i'm 25 so i'm not doing the 'traditional' apprenticeship route straight out of school

 

[Andy78]

Don't work for friends and family.

Or, if you must work for friends, make friends out of customers instead of making customers out of friends.

 

[sparksburnout]

I'm employed by a company and doing my level 3 at college but i'm 25 so i'm not doing the 'traditional' apprenticeship route straight out of school

If you are not happy "lifting carpets and floorboards" you are going to have a hard time. Have you thought of offering your services for free to an experienced guy who might need some help now and again? The practical side of this game can be just as challenging as the theoretical side. Do you have a practical background?

 

[Karl91]

If you are not happy "lifting carpets and floorboards" you are going to have a hard time. Have you thought of offering your services for free to an experienced guy who might need some help now and again? The practical side of this game can be just as challenging as the theoretical side. Do you have a practical background?

I'm happy to do it I just don't know how to do it confidently as I have no experience & won't get any doing new builds is what i'm saying. That looks like what I may have to do.

 

[westward10]

Do you actually want to do domestic work, we all have our niches and domestic certainly isn't one of mine.

 

[Karl91]

Do you actually want to do domestic work, we all have our niches and domestic certainly isn't one of mine.

As I have plans to start on my own one day I think it would be useful! I see it like the bread & butter of the business for a spark

 

[westward10]

I have never found pleasure in domestic work it can be hard graft for little gain.