Let me start this thread by stating that I am NOT an electrician in that it is not my "day job". I do however have and always have had an interest in electronics and in fact anything electrical. I work in a (somewhat unregulated) electro mechanical field dealing daily (hands on) with everything from 24vdc to 400vac systems along with industrial plcs. Pre Part P I re-wired a couple of houses so was always an enthusiastic amateur.
As a landlord I needed a few years ago to get a periodic done on a property. We employed a firm sourced (by the wife) from the Yellow Pages and to be honest it was an eye opener. I knew at least as much as the young kid that did it who basically said "It looks alright!" and when he tried telling me that it needed to be done every year I knew they were on the make. The firm went bust and I ended up getting an NICEIC registered guy in who did the periodic and sorted some minor issues. My wife kept on that surely I could have done this work so I had to explain Part P to her.............
To make a long story even longer, I decided to enrol on a Part P course at the local college. I know many people's opinions on Part P courses here but I think it was a decent one. Taken over 35 weeks, 2 evenings per week, one night theory / one night practical. It wasn't until a few weeks in that I realised that just having a Part P qualification wouldn't be enough to self notify. The lecturer who enrolled me stated that it would with no mention whatsoever of having to join an approved scheme. Give the college their due they apologised and even offered a refund on the course fee. I decided to stick with it.
Moving on a few years to now and I have completed my Level 3 2330 (in 2011) and the 2382 17th (in 2010). I am hoping to take the 2391 shortly. The were a few reasons for "getting qualified":
- I was fed up discussing things with different "electricians" at work and getting 6 different answers - figured I'd get qualified and make up my own mind with the benefits of some knowledge
- I've seen some "electricians" work and could do better blindfolded
- It would undoubtedly help me work safer, at work and at home
- To put on my CV, in the background I may at some time through choice or otherwise have to consider a career change
I have learnt a huge amount through college to the extent that I look back on previous domestic work I've done and in all honesty would probably rip it out and start again. The knowledge I have gained impacts on my working life for the better as well.
I have a fairly large property on which I wish to do all the electrical work myself. This involves a CU change to the main house, power to outbuildings, wiring in of standby generators etc, etc. It will keep me busy for quite some time. I am also considering re-wires to relatives properties etc. Note that this is not to make money but from a personal interest point and that I get a huge sense of satisfaction out of doing it.
My question then is what scheme would be best for me to join? I have had a brief chat with the NICEIC (Tony Cable himself) and they seemed willing to take me on under the Domestic Installer scheme. I was put off at the fees initially but if I want to do my own work then this has to be the way to go with them or one of the others. One of the lecturers at college mentioned a "limited" scheme with one of the providers whereby you only do say 8 jobs per year and thereafter you "pay as you go", has anyone heard of this? I did quiz him about it but he was vague and I'm not in contact with him anymore. The impression I got was that it was for people like college lecturers who need to "keep their hand in" but its not their main job.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any comments would be much appreciated. Who, as in scheme provider, is the most approachable to discuss something like this?
As a landlord I needed a few years ago to get a periodic done on a property. We employed a firm sourced (by the wife) from the Yellow Pages and to be honest it was an eye opener. I knew at least as much as the young kid that did it who basically said "It looks alright!" and when he tried telling me that it needed to be done every year I knew they were on the make. The firm went bust and I ended up getting an NICEIC registered guy in who did the periodic and sorted some minor issues. My wife kept on that surely I could have done this work so I had to explain Part P to her.............
To make a long story even longer, I decided to enrol on a Part P course at the local college. I know many people's opinions on Part P courses here but I think it was a decent one. Taken over 35 weeks, 2 evenings per week, one night theory / one night practical. It wasn't until a few weeks in that I realised that just having a Part P qualification wouldn't be enough to self notify. The lecturer who enrolled me stated that it would with no mention whatsoever of having to join an approved scheme. Give the college their due they apologised and even offered a refund on the course fee. I decided to stick with it.
Moving on a few years to now and I have completed my Level 3 2330 (in 2011) and the 2382 17th (in 2010). I am hoping to take the 2391 shortly. The were a few reasons for "getting qualified":
- I was fed up discussing things with different "electricians" at work and getting 6 different answers - figured I'd get qualified and make up my own mind with the benefits of some knowledge
- I've seen some "electricians" work and could do better blindfolded
- It would undoubtedly help me work safer, at work and at home
- To put on my CV, in the background I may at some time through choice or otherwise have to consider a career change
I have learnt a huge amount through college to the extent that I look back on previous domestic work I've done and in all honesty would probably rip it out and start again. The knowledge I have gained impacts on my working life for the better as well.
I have a fairly large property on which I wish to do all the electrical work myself. This involves a CU change to the main house, power to outbuildings, wiring in of standby generators etc, etc. It will keep me busy for quite some time. I am also considering re-wires to relatives properties etc. Note that this is not to make money but from a personal interest point and that I get a huge sense of satisfaction out of doing it.
My question then is what scheme would be best for me to join? I have had a brief chat with the NICEIC (Tony Cable himself) and they seemed willing to take me on under the Domestic Installer scheme. I was put off at the fees initially but if I want to do my own work then this has to be the way to go with them or one of the others. One of the lecturers at college mentioned a "limited" scheme with one of the providers whereby you only do say 8 jobs per year and thereafter you "pay as you go", has anyone heard of this? I did quiz him about it but he was vague and I'm not in contact with him anymore. The impression I got was that it was for people like college lecturers who need to "keep their hand in" but its not their main job.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Any comments would be much appreciated. Who, as in scheme provider, is the most approachable to discuss something like this?
