Sparks in Bournemouth, Poole & round to Southampton and Portsmouth

[Marti]

Hi There,
This is a bit of a big "ask"but the only way I can gather what I need to make a big decision. We're considering moving to Bournemouth but there appears to be limited work compared to Essex and, as expected, lower rates as well. All of which is a price well worth paying for such a beautiful area if we can make the move.

My "ask" is what sort of rates do you guy an' gals command for domestic and EICR's ? A fifty mile commute from Bournemouth get me Portsmouth and Southampton so with-in range if necessary.

Drinks around Poole Harbor are on me if can make this a viable move.

 

[Pete999]

Personal question, why the decision to move?

 

[Marti]

Nope, that's perfectly reasonable question Pete. Mrs has Asthma which makes London a bit...challenging. Also, I fancy the coastal lifestyle. Prepared to take a hit on the income if I can afford it (houses are the same price as London!)

 

[Pete999]

Nope, that's perfectly reasonable question Pete. Mrs has Asthma which makes London a bit...challenging. Also, I fancy the coastal lifestyle. Prepared to take a hit on the income if I can afford it (houses are the same price as London!)

Good for you mate, thinking of others, hope it works out for you all.

 

[The Ghost]

Where ever I have lived (Scotland, London, Bristol, and many others) I have never been short of work, there is always work for a spark. If the house prices are the same as London then surely (I know I would) the tradesman prices are going to be similar charging fees.

 

[PEG]

Hi there...i'm feeling a bit let down...if it's coast you want,what's wrong with Blackpool?

Those illuminations ain't powered by gas,you know...

 

[buzzlightyear]

Hi there...i'm feeling a bit let down...if it's coast you want,what's wrong with Blackpool?

the beach is free ,apart for dog s**T on the beach ,cause it not showily not donkey s**T.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Hi there...i'm feeling a bit let down...if it's coast you want,what's wrong with Blackpool?

Those illuminations ain't powered by gas,you know...

Blackpool, pah Peg! Get down to Roker and the Sunderland illuminations....I think most of the cough-splutter displays need relamping but that's by the by really!

 

[PEG]

Spent a lot of time there,fishing off the North pier,working around and about...illumination run...trip to funfair...

Then i read that the town,at one time,had one of the highest rates of prescribed medication for anti-depressants,per head of population,in the country...to be honest,it immediately sounded about right.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Spent a lot of time there,fishing off the North pier,working around and about...illumination run...trip to funfair...

Then i read that the town,at one time,had one of the highest rates of prescribed medication for anti-depressants,per head of population,in the country...to be honest,it immediately sounded about right.

They call it the Prozac Pier now Peg!!

I just like the fact it rains a lot lot less than my home town of Manny!! Bloody child though...

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Maybe stating the obvious, but do consider in addition to a lesser population density than Romford, half of your radius from base is water, therefore your stem mileage will undoubtedly need to increase, possibly substantially. If you use Google Adwords mapping tool, including sea is ok, but avoid Northern France!

 

[Octopus]

I find it difficult to believe that London house prices are the same as Bournemouth .... Unless you are comparing sandbanks with Mayfair

 

[Old Tiler 43192]

Are you looking at primarily industrial, commercial, or domestic work and rates?

 

[Squid]

You an buy a "decent" house for about £400k, was thinking of moving that way myself one day in the future, still dreaming.

Will ask a mate as he was born and bred in Bournemouth/Poole and his BIL does building/maintenance work.

 

[Marti]

Most of my experience is domestic with the occasional 3P. Solar is another really interesting market.

 

[Squid]

Not sure what your rates are but get a permie job then see where it leads to.

Check on InDeed as a Sovereign Housing is offering up to £30k,

Electrician Jobs in Bournemouth - April 2018 | Indeed.co.uk - https://www.indeed.co.uk/Electrician-jobs-in-Bournemouth

 

[Squid]

Mate came back to me and said,

Lots of work going on.
Every street every turn people are extending their houses. For example the town has so many bungalows and people are doing what we did with loft conversions.

first house he had was a bungalow and they decided to extend upwards and his BIL did the work was the first on the street/area so set a precedent.

Just do what he did and buy a boat, its a money pit lol

 

[Marti]

Thanks for the job options and advice. Certainly the abundance of bungalows with extension potential, the students in rented accommodation and easy access to Portsmouth / Southampton offer potential. Pity the haddock aren't more inclined to install solar and CCU upgrades.
Also,

Just do what he did and buy a boat, its a money pit lol

Having dedicated years to attaining poverty with motorbikes boats offer massive potential to be skint!

 

[Squid]

Its a new level of poverty boats, I know people in to their bikes......... never ridden but "its worth a fortune"

 

[FatAlan]

Reckon Portsmouth area is definitely a place to look at. I know a couple of people investing in property in Southsea. Plus there’s always the navy ;-). UK PLC has invested in a couple of big aircraft carriers but the problem is they laid off all the engineers qualified to operate them a few years back so they may need some sparks to get them going

 

[Marti]

Ok, I resisted - I really did but it's gotta be done

Plus there’s always the navy ;-).

 

[Squid]

If you can do conduit bashing then the tallow will be invaluable, start with a fresh tub though..........

 

[Squid]

Seeing as you are moving from Essex to Bournemouth then ask the delivery drivers to play the following as you leave..........

 

[Marti]

ROFLMAO
...and the Mrs is very confused ' cos she thinks I'm studying the building reg's. Who knew BS7671 would such a laugh; must be that ammendment three gets' em rolling in the aisles.

 

[Squid]

On the way through London to Bournemouth take her up the OXO Tower.....

 

[Marti]

Well, since I posted this we've made a couple of forays to the area. Appears to be trade vans everywhere - not an accurate measurement just an impression. This suggests work generated by all the rental properties. Went to one are in the town centre that appeared to be made of BEAUTIFUL Victorian architecture but wall-to-wall with junkies - sorry, people chemically assisted to cope with life's pressures. Looked and some interesting places that were HMO's with the most horrendous plumbing and electrics for top money. I'll need to build my customer base from zero but done it before.

 

[Old Tiler 46652]

I moved down to Poole from Hertfordshire in 2010, after I saw an ad for a Bournemouth company who were in need of a QS, something I did in Herts.
Most of our work is generated by management/letting agents. One of them has over 160 properties, and they all need EICR on the communal areas, and of course EM/Fire Alarm testing if installed.
Also the private landlords down here need the student accommodations tested, and there are lots of them.
All this generates work with repairs and remedials which keeps us going.
If you can install and repair door entry systems would be a bonus as there are plenty of them.
Nice place to live, and when the sun is shining,you can bunk off work and go for a swim! ( Not that I would do that of course!)

 

[Marti]

Thanks Dave,
Really useful to know. Rebuilding the customer base will not be easy but everything you listed is familiar. If I can add Gas Safe and drive for £240 for the combined skill set the plan is viable. Well done for taking the plunge and making it work. We want to make the "quality of life" call while we are young enough to enjoy it.

 

[Midwest]

Well, since I posted this we've made a couple of forays to the area. Appears to be trade vans everywhere - not an accurate measurement just an impression. This suggests work generated by all the rental properties. Went to one are in the town centre that appeared to be made of BEAUTIFUL Victorian architecture but wall-to-wall with junkies - sorry, people chemically assisted to cope with life's pressures. Looked and some interesting places that were HMO's with the most horrendous plumbing and electrics for top money. I'll need to build my customer base from zero but done it before.

When I semi retired 6 years ago, I had a dream to relocate to Bournemouth/Poole area. My eldest used to live there, and when we visited, was the inspiration for that dream. I even researched buying one of these;
With a good summer, the beach is spectacular.

Time has past, things have changed, and that boat's never gonna happen now .

The junkie thing is mainly in Boscombe, when some do good'ers, thought would be a nice idea for alcohol & drug dependant persons to live, to benefit from a seaside enviroment. Now thats not an area to live in, much to the despair who've lived there for a while.

From what I've seen on my visits, there's loads of building work & renovations going, its a popular place to visit. Did seem a load of tradespersons as well, mind.

Good luck with your quest. If I was younger, I would be off there myself.

 

[Marti]

Well, we made it.
Started this thread a long time ago and...we made it.
A late thank you to everyone who contributed and encouraged. The move to Dorset has been amazing and, as others have said, there is work available. You have to go to some effort but the clients pay on time. That's a big plus over London clients.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Well, we made it.
Started this thread a long time ago and...we made it.
A late thank you to everyone who contributed and encouraged. The move to Dorset has been amazing and, as others have said, there is work available. You have to go to some effort but the clients pay on time. That's a big plus over London clients.

Well I think you need a medal for updating the thread so well, over such a long period of time! Really glad it worked out for you.

 

[Midwest]

Which part of Bournemouth did you move to
(seriously jealous )?

Has the beach been a bit crowded recently

 

[Marti]

Since folk were encouraging enough to answer my original query it all helped. Took a lot of searching to find a place but we moved to Poole and it's wonderful. We'll get our beaches back in the autumn (better wind surfing) and there appears to be less of the unqualified race-to-the-bottom with prices for work. Don't miss London at-all. My suggestion to anyone planning a big change in the way they live / work is - plan well. Take your time to get it right and don't let the "what if's" prevent a better life.

 

[hasel5]

Good luck in poole nice part of the world plenty going on work wise always down there fitting car care points

 

[nicebutdim]

No way I could move to Poole.

John Ward would take out a restraining order to keep me from hassling him with endless questions.

 

[Midwest]

Loved Poole, a few Poole Quay pubs, especially the Poole Arms. Never go to eat there, always fully booked when we visited.