Self employed Electrician set up query

Andy Mounsey:

the installation, test n certification isn't a problem - its the notification side of things that is throwing me off.. 


I thought it was my responsibility as the electrician to notify the council of the works im doing on said dwelling, in order for them to inspect at 1st and then 2nd fix...

 

You don't say who you are working for i.e the home owner or you are sub contracting to a Builder carrying out work on a property and you are just doing the electrical work.


Assuming you are directly employed by the home owner, as the installer, it is your responsibility to notify the LABC (assuming the work is notifiable) and when completed certify that the installation complys with the regs. What happens when LABC receive the notification depends on your competency. If you have appropriate training and qualification for the work (say C&G 2382, 2392-10 etc) then the LABC may accept your Certification (EIC or MEIWC as appropriate) and provide the homeowner with a Building Control Certificate. If you're not qualified to do installation, inspection, testing etc then the LABC may require an independent Inspector to carry out EICR; that's when it gets expensive!


If you're working for a builder, just issue your EIC to them; they will be dealing with LABC, although they may come back to you for evidence of your competency to carry out the work. As before, if LABC aren't satisfied that the installer is competent to issue the EIC, they may request independant EICR and Bob the Builder may not be very happy with getting hit with a bill from building control. If Bob is a close friend or a large angry type, you may want to clarify with LABC what you need to do to prove competancy first, then Bob won't get any shocks later (or you won't f Bob tries to hit you with something large and heavy when he gets the EICR bill!)


Once your a part of a Registered Person scheme (such as NICEIC Domestic Installer) things will be much more straight forward. You will already have proved your competency, as the Scheme will check out your training, qual's, experience, insurance etc. When you carry out work, you just send details to your Scheme (and usually a small fee for admin). Worth noting that you don't have to be a member of a Registered Persons Scheme; makes life a bit easier on the paperwork side and you get to stick another fancy name on your van which may make you more marketable. Downside is fees to join the scheme, hoops to jump through to join and you will get a yearly visit from the scheme to check you're doing things correctly (but then of course you are!)


Hope this helps and yes, the whole process is way more complicated then it really should be. 

Awesome! Thanks Andy, this is a big help. 


I am working directly for the home owner but he has a builder on site so will check to see if he is in communication with the LABC and if whether i can leave the EIC with him -  I will also double check with the LACB if they are happy with my qualifications and experience to sign off the certificates without additional testing on their part, in order to reduce the chances of getting hit with a bill / boulder lol

Andy Mounsey:

the installation, test n certification isn't a problem - its the notification side of things that is throwing me off.. 


I thought it was my responsibility as the electrician to notify the council of the works im doing on said dwelling, in order for them to inspect at 1st and then 2nd fix...

 

You don't say who you are working for i.e the home owner or you are sub contracting to a Builder carrying out work on a property and you are just doing the electrical work.


Assuming you are directly employed by the home owner, as the installer, it is your responsibility to notify the LABC (assuming the work is notifiable) and when completed certify that the installation complys with the regs. What happens when LABC receive the notification depends on your competency. If you have appropriate training and qualification for the work (say C&G 2382, 2392-10 etc) then the LABC may accept your Certification (EIC or MEIWC as appropriate) and provide the homeowner with a Building Control Certificate. If you're not qualified to do installation, inspection, testing etc then the LABC may require an independent Inspector to carry out EICR; that's when it gets expensive!


If you're working for a builder, just issue your EIC to them; they will be dealing with LABC, although they may come back to you for evidence of your competency to carry out the work. As before, if LABC aren't satisfied that the installer is competent to issue the EIC, they may request independant EICR and Bob the Builder may not be very happy with getting hit with a bill from building control. If Bob is a close friend or a large angry type, you may want to clarify with LABC what you need to do to prove competancy first, then Bob won't get any shocks later (or you won't f Bob tries to hit you with something large and heavy when he gets the EICR bill!)


Once your a part of a Registered Person scheme (such as NICEIC Domestic Installer) things will be much more straight forward. You will already have proved your competency, as the Scheme will check out your training, qual's, experience, insurance etc. When you carry out work, you just send details to your Scheme (and usually a small fee for admin). Worth noting that you don't have to be a member of a Registered Persons Scheme; makes life a bit easier on the paperwork side and you get to stick another fancy name on your van which may make you more marketable. Downside is fees to join the scheme, hoops to jump through to join and you will get a yearly visit from the scheme to check you're doing things correctly (but then of course you are!)


Hope this helps and yes, the whole process is way more complicated then it really should be. 

Awesome! Thanks Andy, this is a big help. 


I am working directly for the home owner but he has a builder on site so will check to see if he is in communication with the LABC and if whether i can leave the EIC with him -  I will also double check with the LACB if they are happy with my qualifications and experience to sign off the certificates without additional testing on their part, in order to reduce the chances of getting hit with a bill / boulder lol