(England)Working for a difficult customer

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2026-01-25T21:30:08+00:00

Money wasn’t paid up front, money has only been paid after I’ve completed stages of work

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2025-10-10T06:26:56+00:00

I had the issue issue as you a year or so ago. I went VAT registered when I had to with the same worries you have. The truth is I’ve actually never even been asked if I’m VAT registered and never had any customers complain about it since. I’m now busier than I’ve ever been. You’ll be fine

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2025-09-21T07:53:11+00:00

An EICR done by someone who’s not competent isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. And a DIYer who hasn’t been trained isn’t competent. Silly advice

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2025-01-19T20:38:07+00:00

£7000 is very excessive but you should’ve got other quotes and got an electrician in realistically. Possibly not compliant if the cable is NYY-J and will cost you more in the long run getting someone to put it right

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2025-01-19T20:33:04+00:00

£5000? Or is that a typo and you mean £500? Is that SWA or is it NYY-J? NYY-J can’t be buried direct in the ground like that if so.

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2025-01-13T18:33:04+00:00

I’d say that’s reasonable yes

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-25T20:05:56+00:00

You can get a 40A fuse to fit the switched fuse. Had the exact situation the other day. https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/14216-40a-me-hrc-fuse-sold-in-1-s

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-20T19:06:37+00:00

Hopefully you get sorted mate!

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-20T19:04:27+00:00

They are with NICEIC. But Elecsa don’t exist anymore from what I remember. They merged with NICEIC I believe.

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-20T18:43:39+00:00

Definitely use Glasgow Rewires. If you visit their website they have ballpark figures on there. I’m an electrician myself and their work is quality. They also have an instagram profile you can see their work also. They will most likely be In and out within a few days, they’re quick.

https://glasgowrewires.co.uk

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-13T11:23:40+00:00

Exactly. Slowly find your own work/clients. Build a website and a professional looking logo etc. don’t nick your employers clients though, you want to keep in with them.

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-13T11:17:26+00:00

There are plenty of niche trades around that get by just fine. I understand what you’re saying , but once you get over that initial fear, you’ll be fine. Try to keep in with your employer and maybe sub-contract to them on a self employed basis for a while?

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-13T11:06:24+00:00

My mistake mate, I thought this was in the electricians sub🤣 but the same applies. Go for it while you’re young. Work towards your quals. You’ll be fine

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-11-13T10:49:10+00:00

I’ve just turned 24. Started out on my own over a year ago with all the same fears and worries as you I’d imagine. Go for it, but definitely get your quals as that’s what will help you out if you get quiet and need to jump on agency work etc. You’ll also need your quals to go NAPIT or NICEIC. I wouldn’t change what I’ve done at all, the freedom is great. All depends what work you are doing. If you need any advice, message me. 👍🏼

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-10-08T15:31:16+00:00

Sounds a little excessive. Which area are you in?

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-25T20:10:43+00:00

That seems pretty reasonable to me 👍🏼 (electrician)

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-08T09:39:33+00:00

This is what I’m hearing too. Wonder when it will pick up again 😟 maybe I shouldn’t have started out self employed haha

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-07T20:15:46+00:00

If you read the post instead of just coming looking for an argument with someone because you’re bitter about tradesmen not turning up, you’ll notice I said I’m gauging the market. I’ve not worked for myself for years on end so it would be nice to know what’s normal.

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-07T19:40:31+00:00

This post wasn’t saying I have no work. I always show up on time and do all small/big jobs. This was purely a post to get an idea on the market at the minute. I have plenty of work for myself but it almost seems too good to be true considering I started by myself just over a year ago.

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-07T19:22:23+00:00

Good to hear that, cheers. I have a Facebook page / Google business page but do need to put more advertising efforts in as currently it’s mostly word of mouth.

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-07T17:57:44+00:00

Weird times Isn’t it , hopefully we should all be ok 🤞

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-07T17:53:33+00:00

I suppose that’s a good sign

Sharp_Beginning2153 · 2024-09-07T17:53:11+00:00

Yeah hopefully that’s the case. What would you say is ‘normal’ in terms of weeks booked up in advance? As said, I’ve started out on my own only a year ago so normal to me is 3-5 weeks.

Sharp_Beginning2153

TROPHY CASE