Are you thinking of becoming a self-employed electrician in the UK? You’ve come to the right place! Electricians are always in high demand due to the skills gap, meaning plenty of jobs are available. Working as part of a company is a great option, but being your own boss is a way to boost your earnings and business opportunities even further. Keep reading to learn more about becoming a self-employed electrician!
What does a self-employed electrician do?
Domestic electricians have a range of responsibilities within people’s homes. An electrician may have a specialism – making them more suitable for a particular area of work. The work you’re hired to complete will depend on demand, as you’ll be contacted by individual clients. This means you’ll complete different tasks, on a case-to-case basis, depending on the electrical issue. The jobs you’re most likely to complete from day-to-day include:
- Installing electrical systems, e.g. plug sockets and lighting
- Checking and maintaining electrical systems, e.g. fuse boxes
- Repairing and rewiring
- Supervising other members of a team (if you work with others)
What is the average UK electrician’s salary?
According to Reed, the average salary for an electrician is £38,139, with experienced electricians earning up to £44,141. It’s important to consider that these figures are referring to employed electricians. Self-employed electricians can set their own hourly rates, earning wages day-to-day rather than an annual salary. These hourly rates vary depending on specialist skills and experience. Generally, hourly rates will be between £20 and £50 an hour. To put this into perspective, on an hourly rate of £50, this is £104,000 for a 40-hour week, 52 weeks of the year. Of course, you’re unlikely to work 8 consecutive hours a day as an electrician, as you’ll need to account for travel. Your hours will also depend on the number of clients you have. Regardless, you’re likely to earn a significantly higher salary as a self-employed electrician.
How do you become a self-employed electrician?
Think it’s time to take the leap and become your own boss as an electrician? We’ve put together five helpful steps for you to consider!
Get Qualified
In order to work as an electrician, you’ll need to have the right qualifications. You should complete a Level 3 electrical or electro-technical diploma. This can be awarded by either EAL or City & Guilds. Receiving qualifications from these awarding bodies will ensure that your training is recognised by the industry. It’s important to make sure that your training provider offers the right qualifications and that the staff are qualified themselves. At The Trades College, we offer a range of fast-track courses to get you qualified in a matter of weeks! Our courses are verified by City & Guilds, providing you with a Level 2 and 3 Diploma.
There’s also the option to become a qualified electrician through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are usually only available for those leaving school, between ages 16 and 19, but you can always check for opportunities if you’re older. You’ll receive a level 3 qualification at the end of your apprenticeship, working alongside a course.
Join a competent person scheme
You’re likely to carry out jobs that need to be notified under the Building Regulations – meaning you’ll need to let the local authority know beforehand. Joining a ‘competent person scheme’ is a way to avoid having to do this. You’ll be able to self-certify your work and issue certificates such as the Electrical Installation Certificate. Popular competent person schemes include the NICEIC and the NAPIT CPS.
Make it legal
Regardless of profession, you’ll need to complete several legal tasks. You’ll most likely choose to operate as a sole trader, however, it could make more sense to register as a limited company. Take some time to research the difference between the two, it’s an important decision to make!
It’s also vital to register with HMRC. Working as your own employer means you need to file an annual Self Assessment tax return. Alternatively, you can hire an accountant to handle all of your work finances for you. You should make sure you budget for tax every year, otherwise, you could be caught out by a large bill!
Get insurance
We’re sure you’ll take all of the right precautions to ensure nothing goes wrong. However, accidents happen! If you do make a mistake, it could be financially challenging. This is why it’s a good idea to take out an insurance plan. These plans include:
- Public liability insurance. This will protect you and your business against injury or loss of a member of the public caused by your work.
- Employers’ liability insurance. This is a legal requirement if you have employed staff. This will protect you against claims made by an employee who has become injured as a result of working for you.
- Tool insurance. This will cover any tools you rely on for your job.
Find customers!
The final step is to find some clients! It’s a good idea to start locally, advertising your services in shop windows and newspapers. Expanding to online marketing, however, is essential. Promote your services online across social media to find a wider range of clients!
Ready to start your training as an electrician? Get in touch with The Trades College to have a chat about your course options.
