Hi y'all - been a while since I posted, but i've been lurkin' around [Linked Image] Happy new year to you all.

O.k. So i've spent a long time over the past months looking around trying to find out about part p. I have found many sites who claim to be the fountain of knowledge, and yet they all differ in some way or another. For instance, the quote from the NICEIC's website states "For the purposes of Part P, it is anticipated that the Government will define ‘Competent Firms' as those registered under the NICEIC Approved Contractor scheme"

And on other sites, I read that non NICEIC / ECA contractors simply inform the local Building Control office. Other sites says companies need to register under the Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme.

This is most confusing, and worrying to be honest.

I have owned a small company near Gatwick (England) for over 10 years now, and I have always (and always intend to) refused to join the NICEIC or ECA, simply because I see local electrical companies paying so much money to be "one of the chosen ones" and yet my company is often called out to put right work which is cowboy, at best...... Of course, I am by no means attempting to tar all NICEIC/ECA firms with the same brush - I'm sure alot of sparks in those groups are brilliant electricians, but there are some who are not...... I guess my point is - why the hell should I pay this money, knowing full well it not worth a cent !

So..... I don't understand what's been approved for part P (if anything), when it will come into force (again, if indeed it is approved), and I wont join the NICEIC or ECA, so what's a firm to do ?

I read on a site recently (I cant remember the site, so please treat with a pinch of salt) that there are ~70,000 electricians in the UK, of which only ~11,000 are NICEIC members.

Is it early retirement for me ? (I'm in my early 30's !!) Or can someone please put me out of my misery, and shine some light on this situation.

For the record, I am fully qualified, and all of my sparks are also fully qualified, and all of my sparkies-mates are at LEAST part 1 qualified, and all bar one are taking their part 2 this year.

I have spent literally £1000's of pound having our own BS 7671 inspection forms designed and printed into duplicate books. I *am* running a good firm.

Also, I am fully FOR part P in principle - I sincerely hope it will put all the cowboys out to pasture - but somehow, I doubt it.

So - what does part P mean for the small company ?

Thanks for your time.

Steve


[This message has been edited by Steve|Uk (edited 01-06-2004).]