Sub contractor work

[adam brennan]

I've recently been contacted by a recruitment agency for a position as a subby for British gas. I'm looking for people who have been, or are subbies for British gas. I just want to know the ins and outs from engineers before I go down that route.
Cheers guys

 

[jtsplumbing]

Agency's contact everyone at this time of year, if you are thinking of subbing to BG you will need a power flush machine and sock-it-and -see electrical test equipment, answer a load of questions, do a personality test to see If you can be brain washed into thinking like them

 

[iain85]

Try to go direct if contracting as the agency are just parasitic entities who take at
least 10% for precisely nothing.
I subbed to them in winter 2010 and earnt vvv well. I think it depends entirely on the area worked and the management concerned (management in the loosest possible term). The problem came when the spring came and they put you on service only I think it was 18 quid a service vs 55 a complete breakdown. Some days 10 breakdowns and and 5 services were done. Long old day and stressful but was worth it financially.
Good luck with it.

 

[plumber86]

I am subbie for british gas a few days a week and love it. no messing around sorting materials as all delivered to site just turn up do the job go home and get paid. yes you have to follow there procedures before and after calls but once done a few times comes second nature and now even use that idea with my own customers and they love it.i would fully recommend it to anyone.

 

[adam brennan]

Cheers guys for the replies. Very helpful. Is there there a lot of outlay before you see a return. How often do you get paid? I've got a young family and it's really important that I get regular draws, at least at the start anyway. Cheers again guys

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Think its 30 days terms on payment. I worked as an installer for bg. Times for installation are very tight, you are expected to get it right first time, tow the company line and give top customer service eg call the customer 24hrs before and after installation etc

Dont go through the agency go direct

Which area are you in?

 

[adam brennan]

I'm in East London. I've been told they've got a lot of work for installs. Good money , but just need to find out the ins and outs from the blokes who do the work. Any other info would be welcomed. Cheers

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

What hourly rates are on offer? Anyone get different rates?

 

[plumber86]

i wont talk bout my rates but the one thing i will say same as gasmanxxxr1 and iain85 stay well clear of agency go direct dont let the useless people take a cut of your money what you will be working hard for. most agency are a complete waste of time i was with CER and for the life i cant tell you how bad they really are

 

[ss123]

I contracted direct with bg a year or so ago and the rate then was £18 a service and £50 a completed breakdown if you use there van and slightly more using your own van but then you had to pay for diesel,i enjoyed it and you can earn decent money as the people that pay through the nose for there cover dont tend to do anything so repressuring combi's and changing batterys in thermostats is common for £50 in the winter on a cold day you will earn loads with frozen condensates,down side full strip clean on back boilers for £18 can get tiresome.
They will expect you to sell like crazy co detector,spirotech's and arrange boiler leads for boilers where they state parts are not available.
An average day would be 8-10 service or 7 or 8 breakdown with selling commision on top.
I left because i wanted to do more varied work ie installations as well but a few of the lads i was with got took on full time,
if your not really busy give it a go you've nothing to loose.

 

[adam brennan]

Thanks for all the info guys. Really helping with my decisions. Ta

 

[plumber86]

what was you looking to be doing as a subbie service and breakdown or installations i do installs and love it

 

[adam brennan]

what was you looking to be doing as a subbie service and breakdown or installations i do installs and love it

Im looking to do installs. I'm not experienced or patient enough to fix old boilers

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

What type of hourly rate on installs, pm me if you want to anyone

 

[villa_tom]

Im looking to do installs. I'm not experienced or patient enough to fix old boilers

Old boilers are easy it's these new ones that are a pain the backside :-(