Bad trades people

[Milzy]

I've got a so called electrician (sparky) around to fix out door sockets and lights but he seems no more knowledgeable than myself really. Don't really like the outfit much at all. I can't wait until they've gone. The RCD has tripped nearly 100 times now. How can anyone be so bad?

Anyone had any clowns turn up on their property?
I should have gone word of mouth instead of yellow pages. School boy error.

I need to hit my self hard.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Never let trades into the house is my mantra, if I can't do it it doesn't get done.

 

[User6179]

Had a guy come out once to quote for a reroof and he wanted to clean the tiles and paint them

 

[Deleted member 26715]

What professional body?

If they are as they claim to be an electrician even if they are only Part-P registered then the closed shop system will mean they are affiliated to somebody

 

[Deleted member 26715]

The fact that their training is accredited by an organisation doesn't make that organisation a professional body. To be perfectly blunt - electricians are tradesmen, not professionals.

Can you not be a professional tradesman or a tradesman by profession?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I did my Part-P about 10 years ago with NIC EIC they weren't really interested in how much knowledge you had it was more about affiliating to their system, filling in their forms & paying them commision on every job you did so that they would cover it via their insurance scheme.

 

[Milzy]

I've been charged VAT and more than 20%. Also can't find him VAT registered.

 

[ufkacbln]

Nothing is foolproof, but some organisations like Check a Trade do give you a fighting chance

 

[ufkacbln]

I've been charged VAT and more than 20%. Also can't find him VAT registered.

Ask for the VAT number as you will be reclaiming the VAT?

 

[User6179]

I've been charged VAT and more than 20%. Also can't find him VAT registered.

Should be a VAT number on your receipt ?!

 

[flake99please]

I've been charged VAT and more than 20%. Also can't find him VAT registered.

Ask for a full breakdown of costs on the invoice, and there should be a VAT number displayed too. I would call trading standards, as this sounds like a cowboy job tbh.

 

[Shaun]

I've been charged VAT and more than 20%. Also can't find him VAT registered.

Worth a call to the local tax office to see what they think about him charging VAT?

Personally, the worst experience we've had was being ripped-off for £1000 - which was half the cost of the job and was handed over at the beginning, in cash, in order for them to buy the materials (I know, I know, I can see everyone's eyes rolling - but they were recommended by a family friend so we thought that would be okay - it usually works out alright). We never saw them again and obviously won't make that same mistake again, but when I weigh that against all the other jobs we've had done over the years, we haven't done too badly really; some have been very good, and one, in particular, was exceptional.

 

[Milzy]

VAT number has been requested via email. This should give an invoice break down.

 

[KnackeredBike]

No offence to the OP but I never really understand why so many people pay for electricians. Of all the trades it is one where the tools are cheap even if you don't already have them; and if you paid attention in GCSE Physics/have access to Google you have the knowledge to do almost any domestic job.

At work they let the handyman who is apparently a bona fide "electrician" loose on three phase power despite the fact he has difficulty getting the lighting working properly.

To the OP I hope you get it resolved. If he has been tripping the RCD I would be double checking the work myself. I have seen examples where the earth lead has been cut to "resolve" that problem.

 

[Drago]

Never let trades into the house is my mantra, if I can't do it it doesn't get done.

Same here, though with certain electricity and gas work they have to be done by tradesmen with current accreditation. The fee for paying them is much lower than the seriously hefty fines if caught, so that's where I draw my line, although I laid all the lighting and electrics in my extension and only paid a spark for the final hookup, inspection and certificate.