job change ?

[SafeGasInstall]

Its getting worse. I know a guy doing swaps getting paid under 200 for a regular to combi swap and none of them easy. Idiot!
This green deal eco shyte has fkd it even more. I seriously considered rapping it in and going on the books with PH jones last month for 50k

50k a year with ph jones , I will sign from today and will cancel my holiday !

 

[Linkyplumb]

I enjoy my job on the whole. Yes we do get stupid/arrogant/numpty customers but that is part and parcel with domestic work.
Hopefully getting back into commercial in a month or so, so looking forward to that. Going on a paye basis, working shift work, so leaves lots of scope for me to keep my business going.

 

[Linkyplumb]

Ive felt the same for number of years. Ive applied for fire service. Should hear if ive passed application end of this month then finally out of this crap lol

Good luck to you. I applied years ago, but failed on fitness.

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Just starting out but only taking smaller jobs, not much to do. Helping someone take a kitchen out, going down handyman route I think as no plumb and can't get experience. No point in doing gas course as no work or gas safe man to work with.

Keep plugging away!

Very quiet but van ok!

 

[Koogatubac]

I'm going to buck the trend here, but I love my job.

I may feel a bit differently if I did my own work, but I'm a SE contractor and I do other people's work, and I enjoy everyday.

I had 9 weeks off last year (through choice) and still earnt 39k after expenses, I don't know where else I'd get that sort of money and be in the house by half four everyday and have weekends off.

I don't mind a problem customer to be honest, I find people like that a personal challenge if I'm honest, and ill always make sure I win

like I say, my outlook may be different if I did all my own work, but I've never done that, so I can't miss what I've never known

I used to feel like this mate, but now since going in and out of jobs and getting used by other places. You start getting peed off. This industry is screwed by fast trackers thinking they know it all from a micky mouse 4/6week course INC. gas when people like myself have served our time through apprenticeships.

Yeah fires in the news atm and has been for number of years but cant we say the same about plumbing? Especially up here in the north

 

[buckley plumb]

this trade is deffinatly geeting worse people wanting everything for nothing .people wanting fixed price puts stress on us

 

[cr0ft]

I was one of those stinking fast-trackers. 5 years on though I don't feel very inexperienced now though! Just because someone didn't do a traditional apprenticeship doesn't make them rubbish. Accepting your limitations is what makes the difference between a good fast-tracker and a rubbish one imo.

 

[hammers4spanner]

I was one of those stinking fast-trackers. 5 years on though I don't feel very inexperienced now though! Just because someone didn't do a traditional apprenticeship doesn't make them rubbish. Accepting your limitations is what makes the difference between a good fast-tracker and a rubbish one imo.

I think what peps are saying is not about the fast trackers themselves but about the centers pushing them through for money advertising shortage of plumbs etc .

personally i blame the centers and plastic and combi's making it easier to plumb , would never get builders putting in a fully pumped system as they would mess it up but sealed system is a doodle imho

 

[R1CKY]

I'd drop this industry like a stone if I could walk straight into a job I enjoyed for decent money.

I applied to be a PCSO before going SE. Got through the "paper sift" But didn't get offered an interview, couple weeks later saw two PCSOs on a train who were too scared to do anything about the group of kids being loud and causing a nuisance! Great recruiting South Wales Police!

 

[AWheating]

**** plumbing! and this country in general!

 

[Rickster123]

I can't imagine doing anything else. Sure there are days, even weeks, when I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle but I still get job satisfaction. Every job becomes mundane if you allow it to. I was fortunate enough to work during the good times as well as the bad. Stick with it! There's still a good living to be made.

 

[Leo21]

I was one of those stinking fast-trackers. 5 years on though I don't feel very inexperienced now though! Just because someone didn't do a traditional apprenticeship doesn't make them rubbish. Accepting your limitations is what makes the difference between a good fast-tracker and a rubbish one imo.

Now don't take offence, this affects you anyway. The issue with fast trackers for me is there woefully lack of knowledge and hands on experience. Add the fact that they usually don't get the full idea of costs of running a small business. Which inevitably ends up with them undercutting you and doing a sub standard job, to say the least. Leaving you a job down and hacked off.

 

[hammers4spanner]

Now don't take offence, this affects you anyway. The issue with fast trackers for me is there woefully lack of knowledge and hands on experience. Add the fact that they usually don't get the full idea of costs of running a small business. Which inevitably ends up with them undercutting you and doing a sub standard job, to say the least. Leaving you a job down and hacked off.

i disagree with you its not just fast trackers under cutting i know experienced plumbs doing cheap work boiler changes £150 etc etc.
Its how trades have been de valued in general where the issue lies hence a flooded market

 

[Leo21]

Valid point it's not just fast trackers

 

[cr0ft]

Now don't take offence, this affects you anyway. The issue with fast trackers for me is there woefully lack of knowledge and hands on experience. Add the fact that they usually don't get the full idea of costs of running a small business. Which inevitably ends up with them undercutting you and doing a sub standard job, to say the least. Leaving you a job down and hacked off.

No offence taken matey, just my 2p. I think self-employment is fairly self-selecting though. The ones that keep pricing jobs too cheap run out of money and go bust. The ones who are rubbish will soon get a bad reputation and stop getting work and go bust.

Only the good ones will keep going and build a sustainable business.

It's hard out there, no doubt about it at the moment but there is still work around. I'm starting to move away from the domestic sector now and towards commercial firms. Once you multi-skill you have a good foot in the door as most operations managers don't want to get 5 or 6 different trades in, they want an easier life and I think that's where the money is nowadays.

Domestic work sucks more and more each year, for the reasons you say. Too many people doing it!!

 

[REDSAW]

lorry drivers in australia doing the mines...£2,300 per week take home pay!!!!

 

[Keefy]

How about becoming an MP? MPs Are In Line For £20,000 Pay Rise

 

[hammers4spanner]

lorry drivers in australia doing the mines...£2,300 per week take home pay!!!!

I saw that FIFO fly in fly out makes you think tho doesn't it why we struggle with this only to be working for £600 a week or so

 

[villa_tom]

lorry drivers in australia doing the mines...£2,300 per week take home pay!!!!

My mate went it oz about 4 years ago now, went over on a years visa with no job when he got there.

He does this mining thing, met a bloke in a pub on his first night and he sorted him out. He's never looked back, he's living there permanently now and has paid his mortgage off over here and has bought some property/land in oz to turn into a massive home.

Its strict buying property over there but he married an Ozzie girl and hasn't looked back.

Its not something that has ever interested me to be honest but FairPlay to anyone who try's it.

 

[Deleted member 32524]

Personally I blame the last government with their total disregard for the numbers they let in that drove the labour rate down. The job has always been rubbish and not enjoyable , but the money made it bearable.

 

[Deleted member 32524]

Actually the job is not so rubbish I had had a bad day and was feeling sorry for myself, but it is hard to keep transport, insurance tool replacement etc up and make a decent living