Cowboys

[fabsparks]

I think that registered electrical installers (as with gas) would be the best way forward.

 

[Merv]

To read this thread, you'd think that Part P is there simply to try and provide electricians with more work.
Is that what it was intended for all along?

 

[oldtimer]

I think that registered electrical installers (as with gas) would be the best way forward.

We already have this ie JIB

 

[Adam W]

it's about time the goverment made it Law to stop this happening.

I can't see that having much effect, at least not in my lifetime, while people can still remember the good old days when you could save some money by doing it yourself.
I get the impression that a lot of customers are more interested in saving money than complying with legislation - they just want the lights and sockets to work and are quite happy to use reputable tradesmen for a free estimate to give to the local 'beat the lowest legitimate estimate by £20' guy.
I don't think you can ever put a stop to 'the guy in the pub' because he's difficult to track down - you don't know where he lives, you've only got his mobile number, you don't even know his last name.
When the brown stuff hits the fan 'Stella Dave' will just find himself a new local and possibly get a new pay as you go SIM.

 

[BlueToBits]

....
I don't think you can ever put a stop to 'the guy in the pub' because he's difficult to track down - you don't know where he lives, you've only got his mobile number, you don't even know his last name.....

I thought this is what Part P is supposed to be doing. Making all (most) work accountable with names, addresses and certificates?

 

[BillyH]

They're not all cowboys.There are plenty of sparks who work direct for companies that do cash jobs on the side, often with company material.
Sub contract sparks on large housing projects always do rewires without notification. It does'nt mean the work will be any less compliant with regs,but only with Part P which we all know is almost totally uninforcable

 

[Adam W]

I thought this is what Part P is supposed to be doing. Making all (most) work accountable with names, addresses and certificates?

That's not going to do much if you don't get a certificate at all.

"That'll be fifty quid to make the lights work, and another fifty quid for a bit of paper with some numbers on it which don't mean anything to you"
"OK just make the lights work then."
"Fine."

 

[Geordie Spark]

Its time well all got together to stop the man in the pub doing house rewire's etc, its killing the industry.

What do you propose we do .... get together in a vigilante style mob, hunt them down & beat the carp out of them with baseball bats???

 

[Jabbajaws]

I'm in agreement with you guys and think that the law should prevent DIY electrics and require some minimum qualification to be held to even touch the electrical installation. It has been done for gas, why can't it be done for electric as well.

You don't hear of people who are 'competent' gas installers, but have no quals being allowed to fit gas systems, which is prevented by law, unless corgi registered/gas safe etc...

And whilst l understand that gas is an explosive material, with the potential to cause deadly harm, my arguement is, so is electricity.

It cannot be seen and is just as deadly. Joe Bloggs who decides to undercut everyone at the pub, probably hasn't had the training (hence the cheapness) and l for one could not believe that after 3 years of training with theory, practical and all the health & safety they crammed into my brain now have to pay £500 per year which Joe Bloggs could just come along pass the assessment on the day, making him 'competent'.

I think that a portfolio type system should be used in place of Part P, to demonstrate what a person has actually done. This would help drive out some of the undesirables. Part P should be abolished and the regs should be divided into two main sections, Statutory & Non-Statutory. that way you have all of it in one place. You would know instantly what you are allowed/required to do, with the other section being judgement based...

 

[oldtimer]

So where did this all go wrong then well here is my thinking on it I served 4 years then another 2 years for improving to get approved level and the system worked a treat then Maggie Thatcher took over and said let the market decide so it did and it virtually done away with training and the need for a vision to see that eventually a lot of sparks would retire and because we went to a service economy then a lot of sparks divercified into alarm,facilities maintenance, plant maintenance etc now "trade" thought hold hold there is a shortage here lets fast track it but at the same time lets try and manage it ie make them register with the very people who were meant to be policing our industry now we have a self serving virtual monopoly who run about collecting "subs" and dont care who can sit and pass an exam within 6 weeks as long as they pay their subs and as for stopping people doing their own electrical work well guys me thinks you are missing the point because this is the very thing that keeps them in a job