Just received my Gas Safe card - now what do I do with it?

[choco]

Hi all,
I returned to the plumbing trade after a 14-year absence last September (I was a plumber for ten years before changing careers in 1997).
It took me a while to feel my way back in again as the trade seems to have changed so much, and I've been working alone for myself pretty much the whole time.

However, I've finally got my Gas Safe registration sorted out. Now I need some advice on how to operate correctly.
Looking at the list of stationery available is a bit daunting. Do I really need all of that stuff? Landlord's Certificates are a must, but what about stuff like Gas Test & Purge pads and all the labels?
If so, can you buy some sort of multi-pack with a bit of everything in there?

 

[SimonJohns]

test and purge is commercial

corgi do a pack but even that is over kill

i would suggest
LLGSC
warning notices
service record sheet (personal thing, i like to give a report on a serivce)
AR stickers
ID stickers
Electrical stickers
on off tape
gas tape


everything else, get as you need it

 

[choco]

Cheers. Can you recommend a decent gas regs reference book to keep on the van? I did my assessments at the end of February, and it took this long to get the £438 application fee together to get my card. So I feel very rusty and could really do with something in hand to check i'm carrying out the correct procedures.

 

[JAP&H]

Viper books good. Loose leaf type so that you can download amendments, print off and insert. Was free amendments for a year when I got mine then you have to subscribe.

All the issues of the CORGI gas books I've ever owned have fallen apart.

 

[REDSAW]

the viper is what i have it will set you back £90 unless you get 2nd hand.
corgi good for more indepth info around £40 and you can buy the ones you want seperately.

why have you got back into gas?.

 

[choco]

'why have you got back into gas?'

I've just really struggled for work without doing it. I was Corgi-registered before although things weren't so rigid in the 90s. Customers seem really wised-up about it now.
And I've found that I really lack credibility as a plumber who can't work on gas when he's in his 40s. I've tried to increase my workload by taking work from contractors and jobbing firms, but the lack of Gas Safe has left me just getting work from chancers.
On the upside, I've become a bit of a specialist bathroom fitter!

 

[jtsplumbing]

Hi choco, and welcome back to gas :welcome: things have changed, more paper work, more people wanting to get money of you, more equipment to buy, more competion, all for less money. :rockon:

 

[mountainman]

Hi choco, and welcome back to gas :welcome: things have changed, more paper work, more people wanting to get money of you, more equipment to buy, more competion, all for less money. :rockon:

It's still a good trade to be in tho and there are laughs to be had.
Shame about the money though.