Have many on here have experience of working for the council I think they are now all called different housing associations. Have seen a few local ones recruiting at the moment and possibly have a potential interview with one. Any thoughts on this line of work for those that have done it.
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- Thread starter Matt0029
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Discuss Working for the council/local housing assosication. in the Gaining Plumbing Experience area at Plumbers Forums
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Done it for years.
Wouldn't touch it these days to many idiots and jobsworths now.
Wouldn't touch it these days to many idiots and jobsworths now.
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We use to get good prices on packs but they kept adding more work and snagging more. Yet prices and timescale stayed the same.
Servicing no better poor rates poor conditions.
Servicing no better poor rates poor conditions.
By poor conditions do you mean not given long for jobs?
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Poor conditions as in places are utterly disgusting
I have worked in some disgusting "posh" private houses. !!
After over 30 years of self employment I now work for our council. It is a piece of cake, for which I am paid a touch over £30K. Obviously not as much as SE can make, but I work 37 hours and have no business worries, or wasted evening calls for quotes. Or accountant, van or other costs. I do keep my personal GS reg, just in case, (they pay for the 5 yearly) and |I do some selected (easy) jobs.
SE do not get 6 months full sick pay, followed by 6 months 1/2 pay, plus SSP. Or 32 days holidays (inc BH's)
As it happens I do basic jobs, as most boilers are maintained by Contractors. The downside is that I cannot choose my jobs, although if a place was dangerous to health, I would refuse to enter.
It is possibly a better job for old guys like me, whereas youngsters need to be looking at current developments, and the energy field is going to change.
So, do not discount it, but be prepared for working within an institution.
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Pretty much what firemant said. I've worked for our local council for going on 10 years. Yes I do go to some Rubbish holes but I could and do refuse to enter some properties. I don't actually undertake any gas work for the council as it is all tendered out. Basically do maintenance on shift work for 28k+. Get 3 days off a week to run my self employed business.
Downsides for me would be I feel alot of the plumbing I come across is terrible to say the least and should be ripped out and started again but the council just want you to connect upto existing!! A tonne of rough contractors and even in-house plumbers throwing things in. Also I like to get stuck into bigger jobs and just doing maintenance can get boring.
Downsides for me would be I feel alot of the plumbing I come across is terrible to say the least and should be ripped out and started again but the council just want you to connect upto existing!! A tonne of rough contractors and even in-house plumbers throwing things in. Also I like to get stuck into bigger jobs and just doing maintenance can get boring.
Is that 37 0r so hours?
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Yes pal but 12 hour days so I have time off in the week.
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Its different down in here the job pays about 26 k a year plus ote.
You get a van which you can't use out of hours and can only refuse access if the property has fleas or needles.
You also have a shift pattern here days plus a rota of call outs which isn't great money plus constant inspections by someone who fell out the navy to be a gas engineer.
Yes you do get private homes that can be chatty however i have the option to charge more
Balance out the phone ringing as self employed in the eves to getting grief off tenants anyday.
Imho the wages on the books are utter pants , i know plasterers ,brickies,tilers (lesser trades) the maul past 30 k a year on the cards.
All depends how your local council is and if your mindset is on the cards or self employed.
You can get made redundant on the cards anyhow and end up with no work and no contact base .
All depends what you want , won't get me back on the cards with some painter decorator as your boss .....No Thanks
You get a van which you can't use out of hours and can only refuse access if the property has fleas or needles.
You also have a shift pattern here days plus a rota of call outs which isn't great money plus constant inspections by someone who fell out the navy to be a gas engineer.
Yes you do get private homes that can be chatty however i have the option to charge more
Balance out the phone ringing as self employed in the eves to getting grief off tenants anyday.
Imho the wages on the books are utter pants , i know plasterers ,brickies,tilers (lesser trades) the maul past 30 k a year on the cards.
All depends how your local council is and if your mindset is on the cards or self employed.
You can get made redundant on the cards anyhow and end up with no work and no contact base .
All depends what you want , won't get me back on the cards with some painter decorator as your boss .....No Thanks
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We do have set times for certain jobs but I mean they are more of a guideline and are all out dated. As long as you dont take the biscuit they dont mind...the best one is we get 2.5 hours to replace an electric shower I mean worst case scenario it's only going to take you an hour or so.
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Those timescales are long gone down this way. Last I done it was 30 mins a service.
It does tho depend on contract and supervisors
It does tho depend on contract and supervisors
Think i heard similar that the council job wasn't quiet as relaxed as it once was.
Matt. Have a look. I can take as long as I want on any job. I have done this for 2 1/2 years, and I don't think I have been criticised once over time. Obviously, different councils will have varying attitudes.
Try to speak to some lads who will be your direct colleagues - hang around outside the depot and catch a few on their way out - I know most of my colleagues would be happy to talk.
My salary actually does include about £4K multi skill, which you have to "prove", but it is basic stuff - although they don't pay it for 6 months after starting.
I can still earn quite a bit on privates, but I really can't be bothered in this weather.
Matt, where roughly are you?
Just wondered, as they have been recruiting here
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