I'm thinking of training.....

jonCar · 27 Feb 2017

Gas training?
Hi, I've been self-employed for the past 12 years or so fitting bathrooms/kitchens with the relevant plumbing tiling building work involved, also worked on central heating systems, moving and replacing rads, filters etc. Plus lots of other "odd jobs" for customers.
Now i'm thinking of training as a gas engineer. I've found some courses costing around £2200. When finished you can register Gas Safe.
The kids are getting older and i need to start earning some proper money.
Based in Manchester.
Any opinions welcome.
Cheers Jon

Dan Robinson · 27 Feb 2017

These course aren't worth a warnk.

jonCar · 27 Feb 2017

Ok Dan, what's the best thing to do in your opinion? Is gas the way? I can choose another trade, spark?

AGAS · 27 Feb 2017

I'm thinking of training.....

stop thinking if i was you , and for £2200

. mind you thats only my opinion

Dan Robinson · 27 Feb 2017

Gas is fine, but there are no short cuts. £2200 will get you a shiny bit of paper. That's it.

AGAS · 27 Feb 2017

and that £2200 does not include training as such , try getting work with someone who does this for a living as that would be training but I'm afraid its going to take time . becoming self employed straight after getting your ticket your going to become a cropper i expect

jonCar · 27 Feb 2017

I have worked with gas engineers, installed boilers, fault finding, replacing heat exchangers, sensors and bits. Converted primatic tanked single pipe system into twin pipe in my own house and fit Atag combi, gas engineer just came and connected and commissioned it. So know a bit about the job. The course includes 12 weeks on site the Gas Safe engineer........

Do I have any hope of doing this?

Doggit · 27 Feb 2017

You've already done a fair amount of plumbing work, but it's going to be somewhere between basic, and having a reasonable understanding of a CH system. Doing gas course will allow you to install and (eventually) repair a boiler, but that not the whole game when putting in a complete system yourself from scratch, even with all the experience you have.

My brothers doing a gas course at the minute, and he has to find someone that will provide the supposed apprentice type training, so it's not just doing the 12 weeks. In your case, as you're already self employed, you'll just carry on with the normal work whilst you get more gas work, but have you thought about taking on other trades/ apprentices, and going for bigger jobs if you want to earn more money.

You haven't mentioned your age though, as you'll get to a point where you need someone doing the donkey work, so maybe you need to work up a bigger long term strategy.

jonCar · 27 Feb 2017

Yeah, well I'm 50 so will definitely get someone to do the donkey work...sooner or later

Doggit · 27 Feb 2017

Then investigate the courses, and the ongoing requirements, and then come back with your conclusions. But as they are more interested in selling the course, than in making you a Gas Safe engineer, be very sceptical about the companies.

FiremanT · 27 Feb 2017

Jon, would you mind me asking what your expectation of a "real money" is?

DH6 · 27 Feb 2017

Stick to bathrooms, customers are willing to spend a lot more on a fancy bathrooms rather than the big white box on the wall.

durhamplumber · 28 Feb 2017

If the only reason you are changing is the lure of lots more dosh....Dont do it would be my advice.Its v difficult to talk in absolutes because everyone is different,im 53 and obviously training etc is much different now than years ago.I dont do many installs.but those I do I have a great guy who helps out otherwise its a bit heavy.I stick to breakdowns,servicing and CP12s...been at domestic stuff about 10 years.commercial catering fault find before that.without an estate agent contract and buying a retiring guys service round i would of been stuck..im in newcastle.maybe manchester is different.good luck

Aquaheat · 28 Feb 2017

Don't forget that to start up on gas works you will have to spend many thousands on test equipment and then there yearly calibration and service fees. The ongoing training costs and the annual registration fees. Most of this would negate the possible increase in turnover/increased profit.

Jon

DH6 · 28 Feb 2017

durhamplumber said:
If the only reason you are changing is the lure of lots more dosh....Dont do it would be my advice.Its v difficult to talk in absolutes because everyone is different,im 53 and obviously training etc is much different now than years ago.I dont do many installs.but those I do I have a great guy who helps out otherwise its a bit heavy.I stick to breakdowns,servicing and CP12s...been at domestic stuff about 10 years.commercial catering fault find before that.without an estate agent contract and buying a retiring guys service round i would of been stuck..im in newcastle.maybe manchester is different.good luck

Shouldn't you be called Newcastleplumber then haha...

I'm in Durham by the way

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I'm thinking of training.....

Doggit

Doggit

durhamplumber

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