Can I charge for small electrical jobs?

[WabbitPoo]

I am often asked by customers (I am a landscaper) if I could just....

You know, just fix that while you are here, just put up that shelf for me, etc etc

I was asked recently if I could replace some plug sockets with newer, nicer looking ones in the lounge.

Having pointed out that I am not an electrician, it occurred to me that, as the houseowner could do it if they knew how (without recourse to "a competent person") then I probably could too .

I baulked, as my insurance does not cover me for such things (I should think), but that aside, would it be OK for me to do it and charge?

It felt like a can of worms really, but it got me thinking.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1) Insurance.

2) If you create, or miss spotting, a problem which later on causes loss or injury you might find yourself gripping the rail.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I think you have answered your own question already.

I promise not to do any landscaping

 

[WabbitPoo]

1) Insurance.

2) If you create, or miss spotting, a problem which later on causes loss or injury you might find yourself gripping the rail.

Quite, but insurance is there for that anyway, and I know my limits, I really do.

But yes, I think I had already talked myself out of it! Thanks for the input.

 

[sparkiedave]

Even if you take out insurance, in the event of a claim, the insurance company would probably try to get out of paying by asking you to prove that you are competent to carry out this work, which, without test equipment and qualifications, you would struggle with

 

[WabbitPoo]

OK you have convinced me - I will not be attempting anything like that!

 

[planemad]

OK you have convinced me - I will not be attempting anything like that!

We need more people like you.
You do your trade - we do ours.

You tend to find now that everyone knows someone who can do "lectrics" without really having the equipment and knowledge to complete and test an installation.

 

[xr4x4]

do you need test equipment and qualifications to replace a socket?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You do if something goes wrong.

 

[1john]

Thats the thing, i can start a chain saw, I can cut down a tree, will it take out the next doors new car ot house, well thats another story. Soin these little favour and odd jobs are fine without insurance until something goes wrong, at that point you arn't the helpful worker, your the evil cowboy that electrocuted granny!

 

[dingbat]

You tend to find now that everyone knows someone who can do "lectrics" without really having the equipment and knowledge to complete and test an installation.

That's been the case for many decades. In fact it's only relatively recently that awareness has begun to be raised about the pitfalls of this system and it will be many more years (if ever) before the market demands true competence.

 

[roberta1000]

The roads are full of white vans advertising 'multi-trades' whatever that is. I fully expect that the drivers of these have spent at least 20 years of their lives in apprenticeships in the various 'trades' they undertake. I think the only thing the cowboys baulk at these days is plastering a ceiling.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Only because the quality of the work is completely visible.

 

[SgtTrojan]

2) If you create, or miss spotting, a problem which later on causes loss or injury you might find yourself gripping the rail.

LMAO is it just me or does anyone else imagine this as a judge back scuttling the said party over the dock?

LMAO

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It's just you.