Hi forum

This is my first post.

I have just become an approved domestic installer and I am finding that I am losing out on jobs because I am having to price to include the large amounts of extra time all the certification is taking.

The general public dont seem to understand that this is giving them a much better informed job and as such have to pay extra.

You pay peanuts you get monkeys so to speak.

For example to change a fuseboard you are virtually testing there whole system which they have not asked for. All they want is a lovely looking new cu.

Anybody else finding this a problem.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[quote author=dingbat  link=1111009360/0#1 date=1111097172]
Firstly, you should have always been certifying jobs regardless. It's a requirement of BS 7671 and has been for many, many years.
[/quote]
yes but much as sparkies liked to treat that book as a bible it was and still is just the IEEs reccomendation not anything legally required.

[quote author=plugwash  link=1111009360/0#2 date=1111101265]
yes but much as sparkies liked to treat that book as a bible it was and still is just the IEEs reccomendation not anything legally required. [/quote]
Aye, but if you're self-certifying then your scheme operator will require you to work to BS7671, ergo it's all you can work to in a consumer unit situation. With most domestic sparks they will state they work to BS7671 so if that's what you sell to the buyer, then you've got to keep to it, or it strays into 'dodgy geezer' grounds.

Just set a price per house type/size to allow for the testing etc then stick to it, and tell them why. A CU swap out in a medium sized house should be a full day with the testing etc. Bigger pads would be more than a day by the time you've tested. Then there's the non-existent bonding issue.

One job I'm doing at the mo is all the remedials up front then the CU will be the last day once all the circuits & bonding are sorted. About 5 days (including the TV/sat distribution system, light swap-outs & new shed supply etc) & there's hardly any re-wiring. Stick to your guns on price, do you really want to try to compete with the bodgers on price....? If so you'll end up earning like one then going bust in a year. A well designed leaflet may be useful to help explain what you're offering for the money. Then the customers can put the cheaper quote guys on the spot by asking if they'll do all the same for their quote.

[quote author=plugwash  link=1111009360/0#2 date=1111101265]
yes but much as sparkies liked to treat that book as a bible it was and still is just the IEEs reccomendation not anything legally required.

[/quote]


Plug, I hate to say this you are 100% wrong.

He is a person AT work, therefore the Electricity at Work Regulations Act (EWA) comes into force, as does the Health and Safety at Work Act.

BS7671 is quoted in all Legislation concerning electricity these days, and it IS a reuirement of the Building Regs Act..as such it is Law by default.

If you doubt this, I suggest you speak to a lawyer who is an expert in this field.

[quote author=Jim Franklin  link=1111009360/0#6 date=1111836435]BS7671 is quoted in all Legislation concerning electricity these days, and it IS a reuirement of the Building Regs Act..as such it is Law by default. [/quote]
Could you please reference the part of the Building Regulations where it says that BS7671 is required?

BAS, EAWR is stautory unlike building regs app documents.. Am I wrong?..

There are definitions in there, but how strict do you want them?  ???

Quote:

I know, your right, it doesnt, who said it did?..

However, compliance with BS 7671, is a way of showing compliance with EAWR1989 is it not..