A recent study found that a growing number of electricians were now over the age of 56. Coupled with the fact that many construction and technical companies feel that the government and schools need to do more to promote trades, there is a genuine worry that the demand for traditional roles like electricians may outweigh the supply. With this in mind, starting your own business in this field could prove to be a successful venture. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Which qualifications are necessary
If you’re thinking about setting up your own electrical business, you may be wondering if you have the necessary qualifications. If you plan on just working on domestic projects in residential homes, but have little formal experience, there is a three-week Domestic Installer Course that will cover all the core skills required to get started in the industry. If you’d like to expand your existing skill set and go on to work in commercial, industrial, or agriculture sectors, you will have to become what is known as a ‘fully qualified’ electrician. There are two primary ways to do this: either by completing a Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation or by undertaking an NVQ Diploma in Installing Systems and Equipment.
How to protect your business
Like any businesses owner, there are a number of insurance options you should consider in order to protect your business. As an electrician, you are more at risk injury than many other professions. Personal accident insurance will help you pay for any medical bills and compensate for any missed income should an accident put you out of work for a prolonged period of time. Since you’ll also be providing services for the public, public liability insurance is another essential. This will provide compensation if your business is found responsible for an injury to a member of the public, whether they be a client or simply a passerby. Likewise, if you plan to employ any members of staff, you also need to take out employer’s liability insurance
Small Business Pro is the ideal tool for you when you’re starting your business. It will help with the heavy lifting of managing customers, taking payments, insurance, finance and HR, plus you’ll get a host of personal wellbeing benefits.
You can find out more about Small Business Pro here.
Sourcing the right equipment
They often say that a good tradesperson is nothing without the right tools, and an electrician is no different. Before you can start taking on any contracts, you’ll need to purchase in the right equipment for the job. If you already have previous experience in the field, you likely already own many of the essentials, like a voltmeter, a pair of hot work gloves, and some wire strippers. If you plan to operate on a larger scale, though, you may need to invest some additional units so that you aren’t caught short while on the job. Electrical Guys currently stock a wide range of the kind of things you’ll need, including everything from hand tools to on-site safety equipment.
Further reading on electricians
