New Electrical Business inc MCS accrediation for PV Solar installations

[tino1888]

hi all,

Im new to this posting so go Easy please :cheesy:

Im looking to get into the PV install business as I feel that there could be a good earner to be made from the installation of this type of electrical work. Aswell as normal everyday Electrical work. A few questions Im trying to process is how easy/hard is it to start up a small type of electrical business and also installing theses pv solar panels inc invertor and FIT's.

Ive been working for same company BmS controls and looking to get my hands more dirty and earn my own money and not making someone else more money for some time and willing to give it a go. I have some savings put by and would like to know some costs & best products the forum have been involved with, ie: Solar Panels, Invertors, FIT meters.

I've been looking at the NICEIC courses which I would also involve the QMS training aswell as I've not really been an office type of guy since school and would need to brush up on the organisation of things.

Im a appreticeship time served, Scottish Approved Electrician for 7 years since, 17th ed update, C&G 2391, HNC in Elect Eng.

 

[JD6400]

If you want a honest opinion !
We are glad to be in it , but would have to think very hard about it if we had our time again !

 

[dansk]

Yeah thats how i feel about it!

 

[tino1888]

cheers for replying

Hard about what u feel ? The costs involved in start up? Competition for work? risky business venture? etc..

I know a lot of roofers, scaffolders etc.. which would cut out the none electrical work on my side of things and leave them to do that. And im looking to get into a piece of energy efficient companies to pass on work which would involve housing associations etc.. Usually thru goverment grants such as fighting fuel poverty, thermal effects for elderly.

 

[SRE]

Don't want to put you off - but you'll never know what a learning curve you'll be on until you hit MCS. I was very used to the renewables industry and local authority paperwork but this beats it hands down! It still does my head in that I'm supposed to be using purchase orders - there's 2 of us!! What on earth do we need purchase orders for?

We got out MCS in Oct - If I'd known then what I know now I wouldn't have touched it with a bargepole. The money is a huge issue, we're only small but we fluctuate by 20 - 30k over a few days. You need 6 months survival money behind you to start off because you won't be able to take any cash out of the business to start off with. Then when you've cracked the sales and money you hit the capacity issue - exponential growth as each of your customers passes your details on to their friends and family.

Would I do it again - unlikely. Am I pleased I'm where I am - I think so. Do I think it's going to get better - God, I hope so

 

[tino1888]

cheers for the info, i thought there would be a huge amount of paperwork involved.

You'd think they would want to make it easier as they are ment to be determined to meet energy efficiancy needs. :-(

I may look at my own company getting involved in this industry as they have a decent rep in scotland

 

[dansk]

Hard about the whole thing, forking out thousands to buy tools, training, MCS, time off work to do these things, zapping the life out of me trying to get my head around all the red tape.

Ive been running a small successsfull business for the last 7 years, working to ISO9001:2008, but ive come from a neice market we selling our service almost sold itself - comparerd to this industry were every man and his dog is trying to have a slice, i dont begrudge anyone making a living, but when you look at the outlay and effort then to see the honeypot drain of honey in as little time as 12 months its a bit dishearting.

Its like learning to drive - once you pass then you start to learn.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

 

[TedM]

And im looking to get into a piece of energy efficient companies to pass on work which would involve housing associations etc.. Usually thru goverment grants such as fighting fuel poverty, thermal effects for elderly.

If you go after that market then you will be up against the big boys like EAGA. Frankly you don't stand a chance. They may be interested in using you as a sub-contractor, but you will be paid a pittance.

Sorry.

 

[jerriais]

The story about good profits to be made is 6 months out of date, installed prices for systems have come down by about 50% but prices of equipment only about 33% so it's the margins of new companies that get squeezed, if you've been in the business 6 months then referrals etc will keep you going but to start out now will be to jump into a shark tank unless you have large amounts of time and money to invest.

 

[tino1888]

thanks for the information folks..
all took on board,

there does seem to be a helluva lot of red tape in way to start up.. maybe thats whats wrong with this country nowdays.

There does seem to be a lot of time and effort involved, however i may try do the niceic course and ill have a working knowledge before i go racing in..

 

[Worcester]

There's nothing wrong with this country, every market sector has rules and regulations (unless you're a journalist ), you just have to understand them.

Before your spend time and money on the NICEIC course, I strongly suggest you read the other threads around here about courses.

Oh and by the way people who try, fail, people who do, do.

 

[SRE]

We seem to be in the do do some of the time

 

[EPGS]

Hello all new member here regular on the plumbers forums though. I'm from Glasgow and I'm a Plumbing & Heating Engineer.

I don't know about you guys but MCS is a huge barrier in our industry to move onto renewables, they are trying to make it a seperate industry when infact it is still the heating industry which heating engineers should be doing the work without having to be MCS and deal with their ridiculous QMS, for a one man company that is far too much. Are Electricians finding the same problems ? Your industry doesnt seem to be getting splintered as much as ours, we have so many governing bodys to join and prove competence so many training and courses to update every few years I was wondering if you guys have similar problems? I for one will not be joining MCS unless they change for the better. One of our members over in the plumbers forums has a campaign running which is trying to change MCS to exempt small businesses from QMS, the campaign is growing and hopefully we are getting the message across, as for the UK to reach its CO2 reduction target we will have to get more installers of renewable technology, as at the moment its only the bigger companies which can afford the registration fees and deal with the admin side, customers are losing out on inflated prices and bully sales tactics.

 

[SRE]

I believe there are there is new guidance being developed that takes into account the micro businesses with under 10 staff. Don't when or if it will be implemented but it is at least being reviewed. I think we have as many bodies etc as you guys to join, I've just been to a survey where the customer wanted all the extras (REA member, Axa insurance etc) but didn't want my price to increase because I was a member of them. I'm not a member and won't be a member I pay enough out already!