Whether you have dreamed about forming your own electrical company after working for someone else for a number of years or else are ready to take the next step after finishing your apprenticeship, whatever your motivation for becoming a professional electrician, you are certainly in for an interesting and diverse career.
Owning your own electrician business, whether or not you employ other tradesmen or not, is as challenging as it is rewarding, so here for your information are some top tips for becoming a self-employed electrician.
Know Exactly What the Work Will Entail
Naturally, as you become more and more familiar with your new career choice and the more practical jobs you complete, the type of work you will be asked to do, and what is more you will feel competent and comfortable doing, will increase in complexity and duration.
However, in the beginnings of your new role, the day-to-day work of a newly self-employed professional electrician will generally involve the following:
- The rewiring and repairing of any and all household electrical items and systems
- The installation of electrical systems, including lighting and various power systems
- The supervision of staff members who work for you (where applicable)
- The monitoring and maintenance of any and all electrical systems with particular focus on both safety and high levels of efficiency
Ensure You Have the Necessary Certifications
Working as a self-employed electrician in the United Kingdom, you must hold either an electro-technical or else a straight electrical level three qualification. Furthermore, this qualification must be awarded and accredited by either City and Guilds or the EAL.
However, just because you hold the mandatory level of electrical certification, this does not mean you should stop learning and acquiring new skills not only ‘on the job’ but also enrolling, when time and budget permits, on further courses to expand your knowledge and skillset.
Build Your Inventory Cleverly
Another incredibly important aspect of becoming a professionally qualified and self-employed electrician is your inventory of relevant electrical parts, equipment, and tools.
All too often, new electricians who have recently become self-employed either decide to only order electrical parts as and when they are required, or else bulk-buy poor-quality and cheap bits of kit that are unlikely to make a job fast and successful.
Instead, contact reputable, established, and renowned electrical wholesalers where you can bulk-buy quality electrical parts, tools, and equipment safe in the knowledge that you are paying the most reasonable prices for the best elements for the job.
Join a ‘Competent Person Scheme’
Essentially, joining a Competent Person Scheme, the most notable of these being the NAPIT CPS and the NICEIC, will afford you the ability to issue certifications during your professional work, such as the important Electrical Installation Certificate.
Otherwise, under the UK Building Regulations Act, any jobs that you are assigned to which require you to officially notify the local authority before and after you carry out the work will have to be monitored and approved by the governing council.
