Do you do non electrical work?

[rolyberkin]

I have probably as much experience as a general builder/house developer as a sparky but keep getting asked to do other bits and bobs whilst I am at peoples houses doing electrical work, is this common or do i just look like a jack of all trades or a soft touch? A few weeks ago I fitted a kitchen tap and this weekend at two separate jobs I have been asked quote on a new cloakroom complete with quarry tiled floor and also bizarrely to fit a bath panel!? My hourly rate is the same and I just see it as work but all seems a bit strange to me?

 

[David M]

I started out life as a multi skilled maintenance fitter. I then qualified as an electrician and became self employed, many moons ago. I now run a small property maintenance and delovement company. This all came about like what is happening to you. People asked if I could also do plumbing, joinery, tiling etc...and the workmanship I witnessed from some other so called tradesmen convinced me I could offer a good level of service in these trades. Although I'm still primarily electrical, I also do it all professionally now as a complete service.

I guess if you are competent and enjoy the variety the other trades offer, then why not?
Being multi skilled does not make you less competent than being specialised. (Tin hat on)

 

[7029 dave]

As above, especially if your are SE, good to have other skills.

 

[sparkdog]

Fitted a cistern recently for a customer.

 

[rolyberkin]

Not just me then!;-)

 

[ruston]

It's called applied diversity.

 

[JD6400]

Work is work !
I personally think it makes for a better sparks , if you not only know your side but also what is involved for other trades .
I regularly help out one of our main contractors with the trenching for our sub mains on jobs we are doing for him if he is overstretched with his workload . I prefer digger work to sparking anyway !

 

[ruston]

Work is work !
I personally think it makes for a better sparks , if you not only know your side but also what is involved for other trades .
I regularly help out one of our main contractors with the trenching for our sub mains on jobs we are doing for him if he is overstretched with his workload . I prefer digger work to sparking anyway ![/QUOTE[

Me too, look at my avatar lol.
II like getting stuck into anything mechanical .
It does broaden your understanding , and makes you more tolerant of the problems of others. loved getting on the handles.

Don't know what happened there lol.

Me too, look at my avatar lol.
II like getting stuck into anything mechanical .
It does broaden your understanding , and makes you more tolerant of the problems of others. loved getting on the handles.

 

[JD6400]

Best stress relief going , if you ask me .
I have always wanted to have a go on one of those face shovels , the closest I have got is a Cat D8 , not the same I know , but it made my month !

 

[ruston]

Best stress relief going , if you ask me .
I have always wanted to have a go on one of those face shovels , the closest I have got is a Cat D8 , not the same I know , but it made my month !

I've operated the D8 and most quarry machines . Those electric shovels are poetry in motion. So smooth.
I bet the power of the D8 made the hairs on your neck stand up.

 

[PEG]

I too, have tasted the joy of plant...used most of the biggest Leiberr,Cat,Komatsu,Gottwald,on dozer,crane and excavator.

Spent a lot of time as a kid on a 3C and a 19RB...lot of time with brush,barrow and shovel,too...

As for the original question...who are these people who ONLY do electrical?

Admittedly,most of my work has been with/for long standing friends and associates,but in the course of such involvement,i have got entangled in a myriad of extra-curricular tasks.

Some of those diversions,have lead to extremely valuable friendships,opportunities and contracts,the last two being the least important.

 

[ruston]

Lol, the Ruston RBs are the love of my life in the plant world. 19 and 22 in particular.
That is an old 150 in my avatar.

 

[LeeH]

I spend 1/2 of my time as a mech fitter, bearings, belts, installing machinery etc.

 

[kingeri]

I hate to admit this but I qualified as a plumber before I became a spark. I do the odd bit of plumbing here and there, but I really really prefer sparking! One thing to bear in mind is whether your insurance covers you to do other stuff. I am a pretty good plasterer too, and can knock together half decent woodwork. Just fitted my next door neighbour's new kitchen, only bit I didn't do was plastering the ceiling cos I've done my shoulder in at the moment.

 

[PEG]

Lol, the Ruston RBs are the love of my life in the plant world. 19 and 22 in particular.
That is an old 150 in my avatar.

I have plenty of hours on 22's,dragline,ball and crane duty,air and manual.

Years after,i had half a dozen lessons flying an R22 helicopter...couldn't believe how easy it was

The similarity in model identity always intrigued me!

Also,no matter what state of filth,one can get in,during a days work,it is a mere trifle,compared to what you look like having just fitted a set of travel clutches to an old 22....and all me pals were nice and chilled drinking cider on the park...happy days

 

[ruston]

I had a spell on a clamshell on a 22 on an oil/gas pipeline , also in the yard on a 100" stick 22 crane .
I liked the dragline though , and preferred the manual.
I can still smell blackjack to this day- golden memories.

 

[PEG]

When ever i smell blackjack,it reminds me of the evil glare i used to get,off the yard apprentice...he was eighteen and got to blackjack the pendants and grease turntable cones...i was sixteen,and escaped those duties as i could set up SLI's and reeve multi-falls

If i ever get as competent with this IT carry-on,i'll post some pics...got some great shots abroad,with a 61Bucyrus and a Menck,both on piling grab excavation,but 60 years age difference between them!