Newly Qualified in Brighton

Dominic Forristal · Oct 30, 2016

Hi guys

I'm fresh out of training and looking to build my own customer base. Things are a little slow right now but I'm plodding on. Fingers crossed things build up...

Any tips?

Cheers

Dom

The Ghost · Oct 30, 2016

Hi Dom, no easy answer there. When you say you are fresh out of training do you mean you have no experience? Or are you a member of a CPS scheme? What area are you working in?

7029 dave · Oct 30, 2016

Are you a DI?, think that's the term.

Dominic Forristal · Oct 31, 2016

Vortigern said:
Hi Dom, no easy answer there. When you say you are fresh out of training do you mean you have no experience? Or are you a member of a CPS scheme? What area are you working in?

7029 dave said:
Are you a DI?, think that's the term.

Yes, I'm qualified as a domestic installer and as I was a teacher prior had next to no experience. Since July I've concentrated on non-notifiable work which has helped me get more hands on experience in the real world. The extra experience weeks I paid for during my training were very useful and got me up to a basic competence level. I know my limits and when to read up to make sure I get it right. I will take additional courses to add to my skills over time so eventually I'll have a wider range of work I'm qualified to take on.

I've been distributing 1000 leaflets a week to drum up new business and have had 8000 printed. It's a little disappointing when you get so little response but you only need a few jobs before the leaflets are paid for. In terms of starting out what other options are there as obviously getting work via word of mouth is for those who are already established. How long should I expect to have to keep plugging away like this until I start to earn a living out of this?

Dominic Forristal · Oct 31, 2016

Oh yes, I'm based in Brighton but can get around...

hightower · Oct 31, 2016

Word of mouth is pretty much everything. Most people will tell you that 80-90% of the their business comes from word of mouth/repeat custom. It takes time, a lot of time.

The Ghost · Oct 31, 2016

Try Brighton gumtree. It has generated enquiries for me. You might think of getting work as an improver with local electricians to learn other things. Advertise in local wholesalers.

uksrevivor · Oct 31, 2016

Hi Dominic non notifiable work is pretty scarce in my opinion but it is out there, most home owners carry out this work them self but some home owners are not confident enough to do it so grab it if you can. As Hightower said word of mouth is a huge part of our work but it does take time to build up a good reputation. Good luck for the future if you work to high standards and to regs you will get more work. And as Vortigern has said try looking for improver work it will help you on your way.