Domestic electrician rates

As they say Jimi, it all depends. A good idea is to work out what it costs you to not work but be ready. Ie your van, your tools budget, testgear your accountant etc, your bank charges,self employed class 2 contributions, your scheme costs, your insurance for working, your CPD, and all the IET books every year or two..

Now I don't do much but I still do some jobs. Sometimes in the past I have lost or broken tools, or needed more or better ones. This has usually cost me £2500 per year so £10 per day. Insurance usually about £500, Scheme £500, Van and fuel £3000, bank and stuff £300 etc. Class 2 is a nuisance and 10% of turnover, and time in the office probably at least 10% of working time. Don't forget the VAT registration, if your T/O is less than £80k you are not working hard enough! So overheads are about £7k a year before you do any work, that's 140 per week, say £5.00 per hour. You won't work 40 hours unless you get a contract, so allow for that too. How much is offered in jobs with your qualifications in your area, perhaps £40k basic plus overtime. Realistically you need to earn that plus the overheads in 30 hours, so about £900 pounds for 30 hours minimum, £30 per hour. You will probably get £40 easily and £50 some of the time, again remember small jobs need more traveling and faff, but a call-out charge puts customers off big time. You need to offer prices up front where possible, and where too many unknowns then offer an estimate with the conditions stated in writing. Do a good job and you will have happy customers like this.

One last point, I strongly advise no EICRs until you have a wealth of experience, 2391 and more insurance. It seems easy until...and despite the schemes trying to say otherwise the code books are far from adequate. You need proper training for each kind of property, and time being taught by an expert, all far from easy. Ask JP.

I forgot advertising, word of mouth is best but it takes a long time to get all your work this way, it will cost you at the start but in the right place is good, try local free mags and church magazines etc.

I like online supplies purchasing, although I have several accounts. It is quick, going to the wholesaler takes ages where I live because the traffic is terrible (Bristol). A little planning and a store of parts in the van is good and doesn't cost too much. If you are doing house rewires you are going to need more heavy bashing tools and a chasing machine and vacuum, well worth the money and the job becomes somewhat easier.

There is much more advice, but the number one priority is to leave customers happy and pleased. Anything else spreads like wildfire and you will have no work!

As they say Jimi, it all depends. A good idea is to work out what it costs you to not work but be ready. Ie your van, your tools budget, testgear your accountant etc, your bank charges,self employed class 2 contributions, your scheme costs, your insurance for working, your CPD, and all the IET books every year or two..

Now I don't do much but I still do some jobs. Sometimes in the past I have lost or broken tools, or needed more or better ones. This has usually cost me £2500 per year so £10 per day. Insurance usually about £500, Scheme £500, Van and fuel £3000, bank and stuff £300 etc. Class 2 is a nuisance and 10% of turnover, and time in the office probably at least 10% of working time. Don't forget the VAT registration, if your T/O is less than £80k you are not working hard enough! So overheads are about £7k a year before you do any work, that's 140 per week, say £5.00 per hour. You won't work 40 hours unless you get a contract, so allow for that too. How much is offered in jobs with your qualifications in your area, perhaps £40k basic plus overtime. Realistically you need to earn that plus the overheads in 30 hours, so about £900 pounds for 30 hours minimum, £30 per hour. You will probably get £40 easily and £50 some of the time, again remember small jobs need more traveling and faff, but a call-out charge puts customers off big time. You need to offer prices up front where possible, and where too many unknowns then offer an estimate with the conditions stated in writing. Do a good job and you will have happy customers like this.

One last point, I strongly advise no EICRs until you have a wealth of experience, 2391 and more insurance. It seems easy until...and despite the schemes trying to say otherwise the code books are far from adequate. You need proper training for each kind of property, and time being taught by an expert, all far from easy. Ask JP.

I forgot advertising, word of mouth is best but it takes a long time to get all your work this way, it will cost you at the start but in the right place is good, try local free mags and church magazines etc.

I like online supplies purchasing, although I have several accounts. It is quick, going to the wholesaler takes ages where I live because the traffic is terrible (Bristol). A little planning and a store of parts in the van is good and doesn't cost too much. If you are doing house rewires you are going to need more heavy bashing tools and a chasing machine and vacuum, well worth the money and the job becomes somewhat easier.

There is much more advice, but the number one priority is to leave customers happy and pleased. Anything else spreads like wildfire and you will have no work!