How much to charge for elec testing?

[Peter Scott]

I have enrolled for an electrical testing course. This is mostly to allow me to make changes to my own and other family members' installations and then to test them. However I think that there is a market for testing other people's work and making money. I was chatting to a CORGI installer acquaintance who said he was interested. This also seems a good way out for d-i-yers who can still save a lot of money by doing a better job themselves even after paying me!

Question is how much to charge? I think d-i-yers would welcome fixed charges for a ring main, a lighting circuit and so on. Obviously a full test would have to be done on an estimate and hourly rate basis. What do you folk think you would accept as a fair charge? Does anyone have any experience of paying or charging and any feelings about the rates? Is anyone else doing this or about to? Just in case there is a problem over competition and proximity I am in Northern Norfolk. BTW I won't do the exam until December so can't do any testing yet.

*This message is not trawling for business.* As I said my original motive was for diy alone. However I think I might be able to help other people and might even inspire others to do the same.

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Peter Scott

Scanned for viruses using Norton 2005 before sending __________________________________________________________

[Dark Angel]

Ummm, you do realise that even if you're qualified you've still got to be a member of an approved "self-certification" (Part P) scheme? Which will cost you somewhere in the region of £2000 pa to belong to, and before you can join have to have been trading for 2 years. Which creates a bit of a "chicken and egg" situation.

[Matt]

No, anyone with any sense will simply stick two fingers up at Prescott and say the work was done before Part P came in.

Haven't you noticed old colour cable prices are going through the roof?

:-)

[Peter Scott]

That is very useful information. Thanks. Lack of research on my part! I've asked the course provider to confirm what you've said and withdrawn from the course. You saved me 370 ukp.

So its back to ekeing out the red and black then?

[Dark Angel]

I don't think you can get red and black anymore, plus all the new cable appears to have the year of manufacture enscribed on the outersheath.

However, what people do in their own homes is kind of difficult to police and as long as you follow the regs, who's to know who installed it? Not that I advocate illegal activities of course, just making a point!

[Tim Morley]

and black) cheep, thought it would be selling for a premium!

[Peter Scott]

[manatbandq]

Surely, that's only if you want to self certify. You can still be qualified to do the work and get it inspected by the BCO.

MBQ

[David Hearn]

But that kind of defeats the point of going on an electrical testing course doesn't it? After doing the course, you're not actually able to certify the testing, meaning you need to spend money getting it certified.

Besides - the OP wanted to do the certification for DIY'ers, making a little money, but doing it cheaper than going the BCO/NICEIC route.

D