I've been working on a disability bathroom in Berkhamstead this week. A simple enough job, but why are the simple jobs the ones that give you the problems. Like, hardly any room to put the fan grille in soffit; plastic spurs on the grille needed removing wih a Stanley knife, which takes off my fingertips too; and a mouse nibbling through the live conductor of the ring main circuit running in the loft, meaning remedial work and testing before reinstatement. It was oh-so-simple when I turned up, but it turned into a 2 day job upon completion.
Last week I attended a Raychem underfloor heating installer course. They have very sexy technology for such systems, with self regulating cables derived from trace heating technology in the petrochemical industry. I'm now a certified pro installer for the system.
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Monday, 1 March 2010
I PASSED!!
Title says it all really. It's always a big relief to pass the inspection, even when you know you are doing things right.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Annual NICEIC Inspection
I've got my annual NICEIC inspection tomorrow. Should be fine (but I've got everything crossed that I can cross!). It's a lot of beaurocracy and work, but worth it; my livelihood depends on it so I have to make sure everything goes as well as possible. It keeps the cowboys at bay (although how some people manage to pass given the state of some electrical installations I've seen is beyond me) and I've prepared my customers and arranged my office (i.e. the dining room table) with all the necessary required bumpf with the necessary documentation. Fingers crossed!
Saturday, 27 February 2010
Manic for Synaptica
It's been a while since I posted.
It's been manic for Synaptica. The stair lift power installations are keeping me and my subcontractors really busy, as well as all the other work. I mustn't complain though. Too much work is infinitely preferable to too little.
As I thought, the lady electricians (Ina & Clare) have been fantastic; I don't know how I'd cope without them.
On friday we all attended a course by Raychem, the underfloor heating giant. We're now Certified Pro installers for their underfloor heating products!
It's been manic for Synaptica. The stair lift power installations are keeping me and my subcontractors really busy, as well as all the other work. I mustn't complain though. Too much work is infinitely preferable to too little.
As I thought, the lady electricians (Ina & Clare) have been fantastic; I don't know how I'd cope without them.
On friday we all attended a course by Raychem, the underfloor heating giant. We're now Certified Pro installers for their underfloor heating products!
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Good for Synaptica, but bad for my competition...
Well, both lady electricians performed EXACTLY as I expected them to: diligently, enthusiastically, punctually, professionally. Both were excellent with the customers and were a pleasure to work with.
What I can't believe is how they've been treated by both previous employers and tradesmen in the 21st Century, just for being female tradespersons. It's really made my blood boil. Let me list what they've had to endure (as told to me by Ina and Clare, completely independently of each other):
forced ejection from site
sexual harrassment (way beyond the accepted limits of site banter (whatever they are...)
personal insult & abuse in front of baying colleagues ("get on your knees and fit that back box, you f**k**g b***ch")
being spat at
being spat on
physical abuse and ABH
From their performance today, these women could buy and sell more than 90% of some of the sparks I have had the misfortune to work alongside. I can't wait to take on more lady electricians; it'll only be good for Synaptica, and bad for my competition!
What I can't believe is how they've been treated by both previous employers and tradesmen in the 21st Century, just for being female tradespersons. It's really made my blood boil. Let me list what they've had to endure (as told to me by Ina and Clare, completely independently of each other):
forced ejection from site
sexual harrassment (way beyond the accepted limits of site banter (whatever they are...)
personal insult & abuse in front of baying colleagues ("get on your knees and fit that back box, you f**k**g b***ch")
being spat at
being spat on
physical abuse and ABH
From their performance today, these women could buy and sell more than 90% of some of the sparks I have had the misfortune to work alongside. I can't wait to take on more lady electricians; it'll only be good for Synaptica, and bad for my competition!
Wednesday, 27 January 2010
Building The Synaptica Team
Very exciting times (for me & Synaptic at least)!
I have found 2 lady electricians to whom I can confidently subcontract work. They are both highly skilled, experienced, diligent, and reliable.
Can't wait to see the faces of the lads in the wholesalers on both sides of the counter when Ina & Clare come in to collect materials!
I have found 2 lady electricians to whom I can confidently subcontract work. They are both highly skilled, experienced, diligent, and reliable.
Can't wait to see the faces of the lads in the wholesalers on both sides of the counter when Ina & Clare come in to collect materials!
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Sticky (not) Mini Trunking
Just had a call from a customer that the sticky minitrunking I had run the 2.5mm T&E in for the stair lift supply had come away from the wall. Im going back first thing tomorrow to Hemel Hempstead to fix it back to the wall with screws. Next time the SOP for the bloody stuff will be to screw in place. It'll take a little longer, but at least it won't fall off the wall!
I hope that it won't seriously affect my rep in the customer's eyes. I hope that as I'm attending to it immediately, any "issues" should be minimised. That's unless the screw pop out too!
I hope that it won't seriously affect my rep in the customer's eyes. I hope that as I'm attending to it immediately, any "issues" should be minimised. That's unless the screw pop out too!
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