Want to be a plumber?

[Grovesy1000]

I've not completed the training yet - first bit is due to take 2 months but that won't be the end of it. Not sure of the rules, if any, on working on your own with just the C&G and no NVQ.
I don't know if setting up on your own and doing pieces of work can count towards evidence of competency or if you have to actually be employed by a firm. I'm guessing, and it is only a guess, you can provide any evidence of competency in order to gain the NVQ regardless of who you've done it for or who commissioned it.
More experienced guys on here will hopefully be albe to comfirm one way or the other.

 

[Jamie Banks]

What about additional costs such as insurance, cscs card, petrol etc at first think the negatives out weigh the positives but that is the learning curve.

 

[fuzzy]

i can confirm that the work and evidence proivded for nvq or new qual has to be signed by a qualified and/or experienced plumber who has witnessed you do the work and to verify its to a standard accepted (different to being assessed)

 

[DJNelsonHeating]

It's always going to be slow initially, and work doesn't fall in your lap.

I have found avertising is key - you have the training, the qualifications, the registration with Gas Safe, the insurance... and no-one knows you are there! That, and treating customers as you would expect to be treated - fair prices for good quality work by a polite, personable professional.

Also, income and profit are not the same - perhaps many of those stating 50k a year may mean income - then take out your overheads - registration, insurance, van, clothing, tools, diesel, expendables such as mapp gas, leak detection fluid, ptfe tape - it all adds up. And anyone stating 50k a year has built it up over maaaaanny years, so not even comparable to a new startup. Crawl, walk, then run.

 

[Dave (chris)]

Excellent advice and reality checks in this thread for those of us starting out. I'm in a very similar position to Grovesy1000, and the reality is that you can make a go of it but it's hard.

But I've gone via a Further Education College as it's cheaper and I don't trust the "Fast-track" people.

By the way - send me £5000 and I'll tell you how to be a millionaire :joker:

 

[leelister6]

"By the way - send me £5000 and I'll tell you how to be a millionaire :joker:"

Send me your bank details and I'll send you the money!!:santa3:

 

[Deleted member 25704]

not possible to get an nvq or new version without employment

Fuzzy, are you sure about this situation about work experience being needed for an NVQ. The new QCF is designed for existing workers and for entry to 'licence to practice' for those entrants coming into the industry. Assessment methodologies have been changed to cater for this situation, which allow simulated assessment in purpose built assessment building (not connected to training) to allow assessment of 'occupational competence'.

Its my understanding that employers or employment, will not stand in the way of the green deal - anyone pitching up for courses will get the NVQ. The Leitch review targets also rely on this, because current employers cannot train the numbers required to meet Leitch targets for intermediate qualifications by 2020.

Although I don't agree with this situation, I can't see training centres going bust, because customers can't find work placements - capitalism doesn't work like this, because customers get what they want to pay for - and there is a huge demand!

 

[jase158]

2 points I want to add,

1. always take a deposit for larger jobs, no way I am owing the merchant money for someone else, if they haven't got money for materials, chances are they don't have money for labour.
2. It is even lonelier when the customer turns around and says, well it was working before you came, so you explain the exact problem and they simply say, well it was working before you came and I am not paying until you fix it,
well obviously it wasn't working other wise you wouldn't of rung me.

 

[karenmorgan]

lol I have the basic tools I need and no van at all. What little jobs I do take on, my husband drives me there. That will have to do for now. The plumber I work with provides me with copper etc if I'm going to a job without him ( I know I have landed on my feet with him!) I only have cheap tools but they do the job. I have 2 drills which my plumber gave me (again, I am lucky) and they do the job fine. To be honest, I like turning up with older looking tools as it isn't so obvious that you're just starting out lol. As far as the confidence goes, I just hope that grows with time. I havn't even done my level 2 NVQ yet but I'm willing to have a go at anything. I'm fixing guttering for my neighbour next. I know how to do the guttering but I've never done it 2 storys high before lol. Still, only way to learn is to get up there and do it!

 

[jase158]

lol I have the basic tools I need and no van at all. What little jobs I do take on, my husband drives me there. That will have to do for now. The plumber I work with provides me with copper etc if I'm going to a job without him ( I know I have landed on my feet with him!) I only have cheap tools but they do the job. I have 2 drills which my plumber gave me (again, I am lucky) and they do the job fine. To be honest, I like turning up with older looking tools as it isn't so obvious that you're just starting out lol. As far as the confidence goes, I just hope that grows with time. I havn't even done my level 2 NVQ yet but I'm willing to have a go at anything. I'm fixing guttering for my neighbour next. I know how to do the guttering but I've never done it 2 storys high before lol. Still, only way to learn is to get up there and do it!

Love it, as you finnish give customer my number so I can fix your mistakes.

 

[karenmorgan]

FUNNY!!!! You should read my other posts before you jump to conclusions!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[karenmorgan]

Love it, as you finnish give customer my number so I can fix your mistakes.

This is what I love about sites like this! Jump straight in feet first. Think it's a male thing! I never profess to be a plumber and I never have and people know that. They also are fully aware I am still training. May surprise you to know that there are actually some jobs I am capable of doing and people are willing to let me do them free of charge as it's all experience for me. Everything I do is checked by the plumber I work with. There's nothing quite like comments like that to make people feel less confident than they already do!!!!

 

[karenmorgan]

If everyone thinks it's so lonely, then why aren't more plumbers more open to taking on apprentices? As a newbie, I can't understand why everyone has such a hard job finding a plumber to take them out FOR FREE!!!! I understand the insurance side and all that but if they're supervised what's the issue?

 

[dontknowitall]

... May surprise you to know that there are actually some jobs I am capable of doing ...

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...


making tea and coffee

...
...



I jest - total chauvanistic comment but I just couldn't resist!!!!

When I started I went to a particular merchant most days and there was a female plumber there ordering goodness knows how much stuff - daily. Obviously a much faster worker than I was back then.

Also one or two females on the courses at the training centre I attended.



Absolutely nothing wrong with female plumbers.

Honest!!!!

(And, if truth be told, the fairer brethren do tend to make better drinks - hehe!!)

 

[DJNelsonHeating]

Good on you, Karen.

Good luck with it.

 

[karenmorgan]

Hahahaha now that made me laugh. I am not the best at tea and coffee!!! Don't know if jase158 comment was aimed at me for being female or just in general but either way it wasn't very nice! Oh and by the way, Finish only has 1 'N'!! anyway back to the plumbing, I love it and anyone who is willing to let me have a go is fine by me. I will be doing my NVQ soon and I have been with a plumber for around a year so I have a bit of knowledge. There is a lot to take in though. Interestingly, not wishing to stereotype but I'm much tidier than my plumber lol

 

[blayedrunner]

I like many was made redundant a while back from running nightclubs. So like many on here i thought what can i do....... Plumber it is. 1 year later and earning NO money with a wife an 2 kids i finally set up for myself. I did get a nice van sign written an have a good website. I believed that I had to make the right impression (I always turn up in uniform with logo on etc to a new job (screwfix t-shirts for tiling jobs lol) 9 months later an due to yell an website alone im out 5 days a week. It is tough as others have put, every job is brand new and never as quick or as easy as you first thought and no one there for advice (hence i also have a small library on the van). But after every job im a little better and I get a lot of referrals now. Customer service is KEY take your shoes off when your quoting for jobs!!!!

But it can be lonely which is why i love my podcasts on my iphone. Keeps me sane in a crampt bathroom all day. I also believe in diversifying, im gas safe inc LPG, oftec registered an tile as well.

Anyway ramble over, its tough early weeks are walking housing estates dropping off flyers, then a few months lkater your wishing days were longer.... BUT i never work weekends, those are for the kids

 

[jase158]

Hahahaha now that made me laugh. I am not the best at tea and coffee!!! Don't know if jase158 comment was aimed at me for being female or just in general but either way it wasn't very nice! Oh and by the way, Finish only has 1 'N'!! anyway back to the plumbing, I love it and anyone who is willing to let me have a go is fine by me. I will be doing my NVQ soon and I have been with a plumber for around a year so I have a bit of knowledge. There is a lot to take in though. Interestingly, not wishing to stereotype but I'm much tidier than my plumber lol

funny how every body hates fast trackers for not being properly trained and here is a person who has no training and is going out there stealing our work and we support it. This forum is a bit hypocrytical.

The comment was not sexist, simply saying that having no qualifications, you will make mistakes and I would like to have the customers that are unhappy with your work. I would never be sexist, every female plumber I have seen is actually a lot better then any male plumber I have met, but my issue is the fact that I have spent 2 years getting nvq2 and you are there working with no qualifications.

However if you have several years experience then fair play

 

[karenmorgan]

Stealing your work????? Are you serious????? Hahahahahahaha you can't be. If you took the time to read my posts you would see I do UNPAID jobs for people I know. I DO NOT go out and work for people I don't know unless I am with my employer. I have been with him for nearly a year and I am doing my NVQ after Xmas. I have my own little tool box which I use when I do jobs for friends UNPAID. As for people stealing work, if people are happy with you they will not go elsewhere!

 

[karenmorgan]

funny how every body hates fast trackers for not being properly trained and here is a person who has no training and is going out there stealing our work and we support it. This forum is a bit hypocrytical.

Please tell me this forum is not full of plumbers who share this view??? I joined this forum for help, support, maybe advice and general plumbing chat. I certainly didn't expect to be accused of stealing work less than a week of being on here! I'm not even qualified yet and I wouldn't have the confidence to be out there promoting myself!

 

[jase158]

Sorry if I have offended you. Well done for getting into plumbing, harder for woman, i believe, stick with it, very lucky to have a plumber to work with, ignore me. This forum is full of some very jealous plumbers, some very frustrated plumber, a lot of plumbers that can't spell and a general hatred for "fast track courses" yet there are some very nice plumbers on here who will work you through every step of a job. and some that are very nice and patient, I am still trying to find out, why plumbers come on this forum, but one thing for sure is that you will definetly sort any problem you have on this forum.

 

[Rickster123]

Is that the quickest back track in history jase?!:95:

 

[jase158]

Is that the quickest back track in history jase?!:95:

more important things in life.

 

[Rickster123]

Quite right mate. And its nearly the weekend!!

 

[karenmorgan]

I don't know what the fast track courses are. I am in my second year of college doing tech cert 6129. I have to do my NVQ level 2 alongside it. Is that fast track? We get an exam roughly every 2 weeks which is pretty fast lol

 

[jase158]

I don't know what the fast track courses are. I am in my second year of college doing tech cert 6129. I have to do my NVQ level 2 alongside it. Is that fast track? We get an exam roughly every 2 weeks which is pretty fast lol

I sense a lil sarcasm in your voice, but can not be certain, so I will rise to it.

"fast Track" is a course which creates gas safe registered plumbers with NVQ 2 & 3 in 6 months.

Good on you for going the right route, college is the best way, get to learn the small things and remember it all.

You will be a greater plumber for it.

 

[karenmorgan]

lol no sarcasm intended. I just didn't know what fast track was. How on earth can someone become gas safe and do NVQ in 6 months?????

 

[mikimac]

FUNNY!!!! You should read my other posts before you jump to conclusions!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't take it to heart..I'm sure you'll do just fine & if I may offer a couple of tips:
Be the best you can be. You'll be judged more than others & nothing silences doubters more than excellence. Read as much plumbing articles & info as time will allow. This site will help you no end.
Work safely. Don't do anything that might hurt you - immediately or in future. My rusty back & crunchy knees are a product of silly working practices & something I regret now.
Thicken your skin. You'll no doubt get a lot of comments in future & a great many will be unkind. Don't take them home with you. It sometimes helps to have a black humour & warped view of things. See first point for how to beat comments.

Good luck & welcome to the business.

 

[Dave (chris)]

Fast track courses can be OK for someone with on site knowledge - say an experienced Bricky who knows a bit about plastering and who wants to get his papers to get a job with a big contractor, that he (or she ) is capable of doing.

But some of them can be well dodgy. They'll charge you £5000 for a six week course and churn out "qualified" people who haven't got a clue in reality. Some of them just take the money, and promise you "on site" NVQs that never marerialise.

I was going to post a link to one that operates in Cardiff (which I think is better than most of them), but I realised it would break the "no advertising courses" rule, on the forum.

 

[karenmorgan]

Don't take it to heart..I'm sure you'll do just fine & if I may offer a couple of tips:
Be the best you can be. You'll be judged more than others & nothing silences doubters more than excellence. Read as much plumbing articles & info as time will allow. This site will help you no end.
Work safely. Don't do anything that might hurt you - immediately or in future. My rusty back & crunchy knees are a product of silly working practices & something I regret now.
Thicken your skin. You'll no doubt get a lot of comments in future & a great many will be unkind. Don't take them home with you. It sometimes helps to have a black humour & warped view of things. See first point for how to beat comments.

Good luck & welcome to the business.

To be fair everyone has been great so far. Especially customers! It's only the tradesmen that ever make comments but I can deal with that. It's no different from being in a pub on a Saturday night!

 

[Deleted member 25704]

If everyone thinks it's so lonely, then why aren't more plumbers more open to taking on apprentices? As a newbie, I can't understand why everyone has such a hard job finding a plumber to take them out FOR FREE!!!! I understand the insurance side and all that but if they're supervised what's the issue?

"What's the issue?"

Its a good question and I think it deserves a few responses.

 

[jase158]

"What's the issue?"

Its a good question and I think it deserves a few responses.

for me its thinking about the job, whilst trying to do the job at the same time, especially when you are puzzled and customer is there and apprentice turns around and says, "so how come its broke then".

ummm, errrr, ummm.

But once I am fully trained with a few years under belt, I will take on apprentices, but will tell them I won't be able to take you on afterwards.

 

[karenmorgan]

Yeh that's a good point actually. I have been guilty of saying things when we are on a job and he tells me to shutup lol. I have learned now what I can say in front of the customer and what I can say when we are back in the van lol

 

[fuzzy]

Excellent advice and reality checks in this thread for those of us starting out. I'm in a very similar position to Grovesy1000, and the reality is that you can make a go of it but it's hard.

But I've gone via a Further Education College as it's cheaper and I don't trust the "Fast-track" people.

By the way - send me £5000 and I'll tell you how to be a millionaire :joker:

whats your adrress whats your adrress WHATS YOUR ADRRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CAN I SEND MY CREDIT CARD DETAILS

 

[jase158]

Yeh that's a good point actually. I have been guilty of saying things when we are on a job and he tells me to shutup lol. I have learned now what I can say in front of the customer and what I can say when we are back in the van lol

All down to patients really, I'm too young and not much patience.