The good thing about being a maintenance electrician is the diversity of the jobs. Today you change bulbs, tomorrow you assemble a panel box, the next day ... you never know what you will be doing the next day, and this is exactly what I love about being an electrician. You never get bored.
I have been called out on jobs to do simple things a customer could do just because they wanted someone to talk to. And some people have medical issues or are afraid of heights. I actually had a few I did not charge, because they clearly could not afford it. But thats just me, and I count it as my good deed for the day.
what made you want to change., I can do anything all manage of electronics,, tech computers, but no sparky qualification, how did you go about changing?
Hi Tom. I'm an electrician from Manchester and you are quite right. You get paid the same either changing a lamp or pulling in a large SWA in a confined space. I went from install (commercial and industrial) to commercial maintenance and am paid exactly the same hourly rate (approved) but the work is much much easier and far less stressful. Keep up the great work...👍.
Also changed light bulbs in apartment common areas on Sunday for the owners. Nice small job and great to do it when you have time. Older apartments here have fluorescent lights in the hallways and the ballasts seem to be need of replacement. Yes charge 2 hours minimum plus materials.
You can earn 3 times the amount doing bits and bobs. Than working for most builders. Less stress. Lower wholesale bills. Better cash flow. Physically less demanding. Biggest job I take on nowadays is about 2 days work.then on to the next.
Thanks for responding to my comment in your video regarding small jobs that can be done by the homeowner as being annoying. I was so delighted that you responded to my verbally in one of your videos I forced my girlfriend to watch it with me too. She says I watch a lot of strange stuff on UA-cam, but that the fact I “Like watching weird shit like this makes me more endearing to her”. So, electrics can even strengthen relationships.
you ''like watching weird sh*t''???????? yeah you might have a point if you watch my channel! was gonna say yer name but couldn't remember it! have a good weekend ;-)
I'm sure a mechanic looks at people's cars and says "The owner could do that".. I'm sure I could, and possibly break something in the process. I fix computers, I look at things and think "They could have done that".. but remember that I had been doing everything with computers for 20 years, yet I can't change my exhaust on my car... If everyone COULD do everything, then there would not be speciality
Even simple stuff like stepladder ownership and transport is a hassle. What kind of lightbulb? Order and delivery time to consider. For all that, an electrician is ready to just smash it, get it done. Everyone's happy.
Leestons It does sound mad, but a lot of landlords don’t live nearby or are sometimes too busy to deal with it. If you think of the money that some of these flats are renting out for, paying someone like Thomas for a couple of hours is a drop in the ocean.
@@leestons quite easy! On a ceiling rose fitting remove bayonet mounted bulb and hey presto, the work hardened plastic breaks. Now you cant fit the bulb! Off to B&Q purchase new fitting. Return, cup of tea, back up ladder, (which you had to borrow!) And by now half a day has gone. Unscrew top half of old fitting to expose wiring. Back down ladder as you just remembered mains is still on. Back up ladder disconnect wires. Fit new fitting, over tighten screw and cut through cable! Pull cable to expose more length and discover you only have about 1" left. Finally get cables connected to new fitting, then discover hole to hold ceiling rose screw is enlarged and screw won't tighten. Fuck about for another two hours trying to find a screw without a return trip to B&Q. Not quite right but it will have to do. All fitted, mains on, light doesn't work! FFS call a spark! And that's the reality of it for a lot pof people with no experience at it for those who lack hand skills. The same as an electrician might struggle to turn a component on a lathe!
@@leestons oh and it might be in your rental agreement the landlord is responsible so Why would you change it? If they gardeners you wouldn't cut the grass for them would you?
As an electrician now almost at retiring age with 40 yrs of being self-employed I'd like to ask if you ever did/do commercial work? Most of my work has been based around SW London and primarily involved domestic work. When I reflect back on my working life I definitely preferred commercial/industrial instals. One of the advantages was space to work. So many domestic properties are small/cluttered with hardly any space to 'swing a cat'. Granted it can be well paid but apart from the earning potential I never quite had the same job satisfaction when carrying out domestic as opposed to industrial/commercial installations. Favourite jobs I worked on were - Flood lighting around the Tower of London, The National Gallery and most of the Top London Hospitals. It's been a good life and I wouldn't have changed a thing. :0
I moved a wall socket for a friend recently. I'd never done it before. He was surprised how easy it was. He just didn't know nor does he care unless it stops working. Some people don't think that way. I trained as an engineer so you just do stuff even if you have to work out how first. I'm no electrician but I'm going to rewire my bathroom and kitchen.
Greetings from across the pond! Fellow electrician here as well. Would love to see you show your everyday tools and what you folks use over there. Klien is #1 over here and it seems like you guys use a lot of Wera, Kinpex etc etc. i myself use Wiha for most of my hand tools!
Thinking of going on my own, came out of my apprenticeship in '92. 15th edition back then lol. Was all on construction sites, office blocks etc, steel conduit 20 & 25 a lot of bending and threading lol. 6" steel trunking, steel tray, big stuff 185mm SWAs 4 cares, riser buscar, 12 inch tray etc. And lots of normal 100mm or 50mm steel trunking and 20mm conduit, After a few went into maintenance, mobile with a van around the West end London, now maintenance in data centers, got into static UPS's, DRUPS, generators, done my HV a few times at burn hall, but i feel like I've wondered away from this stuff in these videos i think of prefer it but i haven't got half the testers, a van, or my 2391 or whatever it is now. I need to do a lot of sorting out to do of i wand do it. I work shift so half the time I'm on my days off which is handy.
Hi Tom, currently studying electrical installation so great to get away from the textbooks and see how its done 'on the tools'. One question; do you bump up your hourly rate for weekend work or is it flat rate regardless?
On that particular job, no i didn't. But generally dont work weekends anyway. it just happened to be that this job got left behind so had to pick it up on a Sunday. Take care bud ;-)
Has a similar issue with my Megger 1720. Wouldn't do Zs or RCD tests. Got it repaired for around £120. Was a bunch of overheated/faulty components. £120 included re-calibration which wasn't bad.
My Megger tester does the same. Small symbol appears top right of screen. Check battery voltage when you turn it on. Batteries night be running a bit low Try a fresh set of batteries in it. Works fine after that.
sounds like the same symbol. Looks like a rectangle with a line through the middle of it. Tried new batts but still the same. Im using my backup Metrel tester now for the time being. May well be investing in a new one by the looks of it! ;-)
CK pliers. 180mm ones. good little pliers as they have a narrow head rather than chunkier ones. insulated screwdrivers I use is a set called 'wera maintenance kit'. its a fantastic set, about £100. I will do a video on my toolbag ;-)
The proper replacement of lamps is an electricians job and thank you for asking why. Cross threading the bulb in the lamp socket and resultant damage to socket. Bulb glass separating from base and debris falling into the eye or bulb glass breaking during relamping. Bulb glass broken with energized filament exposed to the touch. Knowledge of the proper bulb size, type, shape, energy efficiency and color temperatures appropiate. Lighting fixture safety condition and fixture upgrade options.
The companies that own apartments do usually. Also one of the heads had to be changed which involves basic wiring, most people don't wanna fuck with wires.
In instances such as this yes. Landlords who live abroad, or leave full management to letting agents just call out a sparks to do lamp changes when places need it.
You could be old or impared to use ladders, you maybe don't own ladders (urban area), if something else is broken you may still need to call electrician... etc.
good idea this filming if client asks questions if they need to warrant your time, have ever used a vid you done to shwo a client what you actually did for the cost in a dispute ?
You are more grown up than I was at your age. I used to hate people who asked me to change light bulbs. It felt being treated like a servant - but the posher types treat one as that anyway....no big changes since the early 80s.
Hi Tom thanks again for the great videos, your weekly vids help break up the week and helps having a break from reading the textbooks of my level 2 coarse. Can I ask, in your Videos I've noticed to arrive if the job with your power tools in their own bag, what would you consider the bread and butter of a electricians power tool collection (the gear you wouldn't leave home without) also what are your thoughts on the stackable storage boxes. I'm asking because I've got to upgrade my power tools starting with sds, combi and impact drills with a brand I have used before in makita. I'm not sure however of whether to get a kit deal and a bag or box storage route
Hi Gareth, I will do a video on this shortly as it im getting alot of requests for this. Stackable boxes, personally i dont like them in the van. they dont stack well when your in a hurry, fall over etc. but it depends on what size van you have got i guess? if its a small van and space is at a premium then its the way to go perhaps?! in my trafic, i dont use them. I have storage crates; if you look at 2.15 in the video, you'll see i have three crates underneath the workbench which i store all my cable, back boxes etc in. this setup works incredibly well as it utilises floor space and gives me somewhere to work when i need it which is why i put the 2 led worklights above it. i'll do this video soon. ;-)
thomas nagy chears tom The van I'll be using is a mercedes vito so not a massive amount of space but hopefully once i get it I'll be able to arrange it the best I can. Look forward to seeing the gear video, just wondering if y could do a van walk around along with it too, help give me some ideas
Hey mate, loving your vids! I noticed that the other vid about the chick that didn't know what a dozen was (fair play for giving her a shout out by the way!) You couldn't mention the shop she worked in cause UA-cam would shout at you! Toolstation, yeh? So much for not mentioning it!! 😂😂🤐🤐 Oops!!
I am an Aircraft Avionic/electrical engineer not a domestic electrician, so I have no choice but to do simple little jobs at times, however the way I see you doing these simple jobs is: A- Being self employed you can charge what you feel fit for your time, making every 'simple' job worth doing if they will pay what you ask. B- You are in the business to do work and not turn it down. There is no point being the world's best at re wiring a house if you refuse to change a lamp. C- Being self employed you want to get your name and brand out there. If these letting agencies and property developers are willing to give you small jobs, I bet they are willing to give large ones. Turn down the simple work and that might be you off their list. Potential income lost there on future work. D- It must be a bit of variety, and as you said, you can fit these.jobs around your own life. Keep up the videos, they are really interesting and you are an entertaining personality on camera!
When u changed the light fitting, two sets of cables each with blue brown and earths seemed to drop out the ceiling... is there any reason why two sets were there and not one?
I flick between the NICEIC website software and a private software i bought online which is basically the same thing. I dont bother with the paper certificates anymore but loads of companies still use them. ;-)
Great video as per, I've been stealth watching lately haha. Out of curiosity do you have to replace the downlights like for like? How did you know what brand they where etc before going to the job if so? Your view count is hugely increasing now mate, im chuffed for you!😊 Keep em coming!
good to hear from ya buddy! stealth watching lol ;-) yeah its increasing slowly but surely. been to that flat numerous times before so i knew how many lights were in the bathrooms etc. also the agent told me two above the shower had blown. the size was a guess, but they generally are either 64 or 72mm.;-)
Thomas great video. You do however look like you’ve had enough of the constant drama of parking, walking to site, going back to the van to get steps, back again cause you’ve forgotten something, Breaking the ceiling etc. Your not your usual bubbly yet dry humoured self who sees the funny side of everything. Remember when your GoPro charger blew up haha. I know exactly how this feels I work for a big firm but am usually by myself doing the same sort of thing when there could be a perfectly capable apprentice taking some of the load, helping so there’s only 1 trip to the van etc. You seem like you’ve got plenty on. I reckon you should look at taking a young bloke on as a labourer or apprentice. This might even add a new dimension to your videos. Either or mate, your videos and they are awesome and they make my day. Keep up the great work of trying to juggle your tool bag, camera and mic. Take care mate.
Hey Craig, Yesterday for example i was doing a kitchen refit and got some really good footage from the whole day which i was properly chuffed with.......when i got home i plugged in my camera to find i forgot to switch on the external mic, so had great footage but no sound. I was absolutely steaming! The biggest issue im hitting is that as im buying more advanced tech to try to get smoother footage and cleaner sound such as gimbals, chest cranes, wireless mics, audio mixer etc; the more i have to carry around and assemble/disassemble on each job. Im currently trying to design a handheld crane that can incorporate all of these items in one hand to save me time on site so i dont have to assemble and disassemble all the time. I Haven't figured it yet, but im working on it! ;-) Apprentice; i get what your saying, and agree. Just haven't quite made that jump yet. I think it would add a twist to my videos. I was putting some thought into this the other week as its time i think. have a good weekend buddy. ;-)
Thomas, what are you thoughts about the IP20 downlights abobe the shower in your video? As a plumber in The Netherlands i like you channel a lot, and you know plumbers en electricians are not always the best friends on the site ;)
Just a question (you could to do a Q & A section in your video - just question or so) But do you find yourself when you're say overseas on holiday - do you have a nosy at the local electrical work?
Went to Austria last month and yeah always have a look at the local work thats in your hotel room etc 😂 I find it interesting just to see how other countries do their work and stuff. Was in a new apartment block briefly while I was there and some of their wiring is miles different to the U.K.
Haha yeah well my mate works as a electrician in New Zealand and he had the pleasure of visiting the UK to meet his future in laws. He had a nosy at their electrical work to understand how ring circuits work. His in laws weren't too impressed when they caught him sniffing out the circuit breakers in their basement. He did comment he was rather impressed with the fused plugs and the shutters on your sockets. He even had the honour stepping on one of these plugs with bare feet.
0:47 Dozen = 12. And if you were a Baker, it could be 13 ("Baker's Dozen") -- but I do not think many bakers use that measure nowadays. Thought originally to refer to the sale of eggs by bakers, and their being good chaps, adding one extra in case of a "baddie" amongst them.
dont say things like that! i havent sent mine off for repair yet; partly because i have a feeling it will be un-repairable or repairable for a fee greater than what its worth.
I’m a handy guy who will tackle most jobs, but I won’t touch plumbing. I can understand not wanting to touch something as potentially lethal as electrics.
The owners make a shed load of money from rentals so no need to change light bulbs themselves. They are probably on a lovely beach somewhere sipping cocktails with a woman in each arm.
Well, everyone could put their trash cans on the garbage truck and press the button to have it emptied in the truck and bring it back. Would you do it? No obviously not. You would have to wear closes which can get dirty, have to know how to operate it safely and it's a job not everyone can do physically. Also, the garbage truck drives in your neighborhood when you're usually working (when you like an office job schedule). So why bother, just do the work you like and enjoy when it's easy. :)
hi Tony. it may well be the case. If it costs over £100 to fix ill just buy a new one i think. I have had this one for 7 years now and its done well but its dated in comparison to meters like the 1721. Ill keep ya posted. ;-)
9:37 Homeowner capable???? Yes, the homeowner may possibly be able technically, but where it comes to climbing even a few inches above the floor, there may be a "Fear of Heights" factor that precludes the owner from doing some otherwise simple jobs. e.g. I am technically capable of doing building jobs, but it was all I could do to climb a ladder to nail the main beam and various rafters for the roofing structure in a single story workshop. I had to get a roofer to lay and fix the corrugated tin sheet for me - an otherwise simple task.
Tight fecker working Sunday 😂, is do a few hours on a Sunday but I wouldn't be let. Took a bit of your advice on charging people I did a job for myself this eve & made up the bill then thought it was too much but stuck with it, I said to myself if he doesn't like it I won't ever have to be in this shitty cow shed at 8pm again
Hi Tom, 1. How do you keep a diary of your appointments - electronic or physical diary? 2. Have any of your customers ever watched your videos? ☺️ Thanks, enjoy your channel. Ross
Hi buddy. Yeah most of my clients keep up to date with my vids 💪 keeps them entertained! My diary is electronic. I'm not a total fan of it but I will do a video discussing its pros and cons 👍
If you find yourself inundated with jobs that involve sitting around and twiddling your thumbs then feel free to give me a call, I'm happy to help out at £95 hour plus travelling costs etc. and I am fully qualified.
The good thing about being a maintenance electrician is the diversity of the jobs. Today you change bulbs, tomorrow you assemble a panel box, the next day ... you never know what you will be doing the next day, and this is exactly what I love about being an electrician. You never get bored.
I have been called out on jobs to do simple things a customer could do just because they wanted someone to talk to.
And some people have medical issues or are afraid of heights. I actually had a few I did not charge, because they clearly could not afford it. But thats just me, and I count it as my good deed for the day.
and that good deed probably gets you 1000 recommendations for the next 10 years...
"i like these kinds of jobs", 30 seconds later "what a shit job". lol
This man has no filter
Love watching your videos! My weekly fix! You've inspired me to change career from electronics repair to electrician. 👍 Keep the vids coming Tom!
Hey Dave. Top man! like to hear it! Need any help or advice just shout.
have a good weekend buddy :-)
what made you want to change., I can do anything all manage of electronics,, tech computers, but no sparky qualification, how did you go about changing?
David Martin I
Can you have a good life being an electrician e.g car,motorcycle,holidays abroad,pay and hobbies
Hi Tom. I'm an electrician from Manchester and you are quite right. You get paid the same either changing a lamp or pulling in a large SWA in a confined space.
I went from install (commercial and industrial) to commercial maintenance and am paid exactly the same hourly rate (approved) but the work is much much easier and far less stressful.
Keep up the great work...👍.
You raise a good point which i am going to do a small video on to discuss it further. Ill mention your name in it. ;-)
I hope you filled and made good that ceiling where you pulled the light fitting out!!! :O
Not his job
Also changed light bulbs in apartment common areas on Sunday for the owners. Nice small job and great to do it when you have time. Older apartments here have fluorescent lights in the hallways and the ballasts seem to be need of replacement. Yes charge 2 hours minimum plus materials.
You can earn 3 times the amount doing bits and bobs. Than working for most builders. Less stress. Lower wholesale bills. Better cash flow. Physically less demanding. Biggest job I take on nowadays is about 2 days work.then on to the next.
Thanks for responding to my comment in your video regarding small jobs that can be done by the homeowner as being annoying. I was so delighted that you responded to my verbally in one of your videos I forced my girlfriend to watch it with me too. She says I watch a lot of strange stuff on UA-cam, but that the fact I “Like watching weird shit like this makes me more endearing to her”. So, electrics can even strengthen relationships.
you ''like watching weird sh*t''????????
yeah you might have a point if you watch my channel!
was gonna say yer name but couldn't remember it!
have a good weekend ;-)
I'm sure a mechanic looks at people's cars and says "The owner could do that".. I'm sure I could, and possibly break something in the process. I fix computers, I look at things and think "They could have done that".. but remember that I had been doing everything with computers for 20 years, yet I can't change my exhaust on my car... If everyone COULD do everything, then there would not be speciality
but how do you fuck up changing a bulb?
Even simple stuff like stepladder ownership and transport is a hassle. What kind of lightbulb? Order and delivery time to consider. For all that, an electrician is ready to just smash it, get it done. Everyone's happy.
Leestons It does sound mad, but a lot of landlords don’t live nearby or are sometimes too busy to deal with it. If you think of the money that some of these flats are renting out for, paying someone like Thomas for a couple of hours is a drop in the ocean.
@@leestons quite easy! On a ceiling rose fitting remove bayonet mounted bulb and hey presto, the work hardened plastic breaks. Now you cant fit the bulb! Off to B&Q purchase new fitting. Return, cup of tea, back up ladder, (which you had to borrow!) And by now half a day has gone. Unscrew top half of old fitting to expose wiring. Back down ladder as you just remembered mains is still on. Back up ladder disconnect wires. Fit new fitting, over tighten screw and cut through cable! Pull cable to expose more length and discover you only have about 1" left. Finally get cables connected to new fitting, then discover hole to hold ceiling rose screw is enlarged and screw won't tighten. Fuck about for another two hours trying to find a screw without a return trip to B&Q.
Not quite right but it will have to do. All fitted, mains on, light doesn't work!
FFS call a spark!
And that's the reality of it for a lot pof people with no experience at it for those who lack hand skills. The same as an electrician might struggle to turn a component on a lathe!
@@leestons oh and it might be in your rental agreement the landlord is responsible so Why would you change it? If they gardeners you wouldn't cut the grass for them would you?
As an electrician now almost at retiring age with 40 yrs of being self-employed I'd like to ask if you ever did/do commercial work? Most of my work has been based around SW London and primarily involved domestic work.
When I reflect back on my working life I definitely preferred commercial/industrial instals. One of the advantages was space to work. So many domestic properties are small/cluttered with hardly any space to 'swing a cat'. Granted it can be well paid but apart from the earning potential I never quite had the same job satisfaction when carrying out domestic as opposed to industrial/commercial installations.
Favourite jobs I worked on were - Flood lighting around the Tower of London, The National Gallery and most of the Top London Hospitals.
It's been a good life and I wouldn't have changed a thing. :0
hello rob,
I will comment on this in my upcoming video; a good question ;-)
Dont you hate it when the clamps on the spotlight hits your finger :(
Hi Tom, thanks for the great content.
I moved a wall socket for a friend recently. I'd never done it before. He was surprised how easy it was. He just didn't know nor does he care unless it stops working. Some people don't think that way. I trained as an engineer so you just do stuff even if you have to work out how first. I'm no electrician but I'm going to rewire my bathroom and kitchen.
The amount of times I've assaulted my own hands with downlight springs is beyond belief
Greetings from across the pond! Fellow electrician here as well. Would love to see you show your everyday tools and what you folks use over there. Klien is #1 over here and it seems like you guys use a lot of Wera, Kinpex etc etc. i myself use Wiha for most of my hand tools!
hey sam,
I'll do a toolbag review, its another vid people are asking for so i'll sort it soon.
Wera is what i use here yeah.
take care buddy ;-)
Always interesting content thankyou.
Thinking of going on my own, came out of my apprenticeship in '92. 15th edition back then lol. Was all on construction sites, office blocks etc, steel conduit 20 & 25 a lot of bending and threading lol. 6" steel trunking, steel tray, big stuff 185mm SWAs 4 cares, riser buscar, 12 inch tray etc. And lots of normal 100mm or 50mm steel trunking and 20mm conduit, After a few went into maintenance, mobile with a van around the West end London, now maintenance in data centers, got into static UPS's, DRUPS, generators, done my HV a few times at burn hall, but i feel like I've wondered away from this stuff in these videos i think of prefer it but i haven't got half the testers, a van, or my 2391 or whatever it is now. I need to do a lot of sorting out to do of i wand do it. I work shift so half the time I'm on my days off which is handy.
I wonder if you may make some videos showing how to do wiring intercom, internet, and tv aerial?
Thanks
“I got to find parking” literally 50% of my day there
everybody in the service industry loves a good meaty job :p
Sunday morning job , congestion charge..! parking charge...! : ) nice......... : )
yensabi Planet London!
@@Scottinuk shithole London
Hi Tom, currently studying electrical installation so great to get away from the textbooks and see how its done 'on the tools'.
One question; do you bump up your hourly rate for weekend work or is it flat rate regardless?
On that particular job, no i didn't. But generally dont work weekends anyway. it just happened to be that this job got left behind so had to pick it up on a Sunday.
Take care bud ;-)
Hey Thomas are you getting any work from UA-camrs? If I was in UK I would feel well safe hiring you. Thanks mate
Has a similar issue with my Megger 1720. Wouldn't do Zs or RCD tests. Got it repaired for around £120. Was a bunch of overheated/faulty components. £120 included re-calibration which wasn't bad.
not good news. I think I will end up getting a new meter by the sounds of it. ;-)
My Megger tester does the same. Small symbol appears top right of screen. Check battery voltage when you turn it on. Batteries night be running a bit low Try a fresh set of batteries in it. Works fine after that.
sounds like the same symbol. Looks like a rectangle with a line through the middle of it. Tried new batts but still the same. Im using my backup Metrel tester now for the time being. May well be investing in a new one by the looks of it! ;-)
thomas nagy . Yeh I know the symbol. I had a MFT 1552 the same symbol showed up on it. I ended up getting new one.
hi mate great vids what brand and model is the plier your using. also whats your preferred insulated screwdrivers? many thanks
CK pliers. 180mm ones. good little pliers as they have a narrow head rather than chunkier ones.
insulated screwdrivers I use is a set called 'wera maintenance kit'. its a fantastic set, about £100.
I will do a video on my toolbag ;-)
The proper replacement of lamps is an electricians job and thank you for asking why.
Cross threading the bulb in the lamp socket and resultant damage to socket. Bulb glass separating from base and debris falling into the eye or bulb glass breaking during relamping. Bulb glass broken with energized filament exposed to the touch. Knowledge of the proper bulb size, type, shape, energy efficiency and color temperatures appropiate. Lighting fixture safety condition and fixture upgrade options.
Wait, people call elictricians to change light bulbs?!
The companies that own apartments do usually. Also one of the heads had to be changed which involves basic wiring, most people don't wanna fuck with wires.
Because London
In instances such as this yes. Landlords who live abroad, or leave full management to letting agents just call out a sparks to do lamp changes when places need it.
You could be old or impared to use ladders, you maybe don't own ladders (urban area), if something else is broken you may still need to call electrician... etc.
Because rentals... This is what happens
Great vids!
Hi Tom, brilliant video, could you do one about all the tools you have and use, thanks. Keep up the good work.
Hi Ryan; im on it boss ;-)
Great video again. Please do a video on your electrical story
will do mate. I have to do a van tour first then once that's done, I'll get on the case ;-)
Chelsea Tractors in abundance, i counted at least eight, while you were looking for a spot.
Small jobs are good but quite annoying some times but as long as you have got a makita radio
Got paid well for lamp changes
great videos thomas very interesting life lol
Working on a Sunday.😬 at least the traffic was lighter.👍
good idea this filming if client asks questions if they need to warrant your time, have ever used a vid you done to shwo a client what you actually did for the cost in a dispute ?
Nice video ☺👍
You are more grown up than I was at your age. I used to hate people who asked me to change light bulbs. It felt being treated like a servant - but the posher types treat one as that anyway....no big changes since the early 80s.
Hi Tom thanks again for the great videos, your weekly vids help break up the week and helps having a break from reading the textbooks of my level 2 coarse.
Can I ask, in your Videos I've noticed to arrive if the job with your power tools in their own bag, what would you consider the bread and butter of a electricians power tool collection (the gear you wouldn't leave home without) also what are your thoughts on the stackable storage boxes.
I'm asking because I've got to upgrade my power tools starting with sds, combi and impact drills with a brand I have used before in makita. I'm not sure however of whether to get a kit deal and a bag or box storage route
Hi Gareth,
I will do a video on this shortly as it im getting alot of requests for this.
Stackable boxes, personally i dont like them in the van. they dont stack well when your in a hurry, fall over etc. but it depends on what size van you have got i guess? if its a small van and space is at a premium then its the way to go perhaps?! in my trafic, i dont use them.
I have storage crates; if you look at 2.15 in the video, you'll see i have three crates underneath the workbench which i store all my cable, back boxes etc in. this setup works incredibly well as it utilises floor space and gives me somewhere to work when i need it which is why i put the 2 led worklights above it. i'll do this video soon. ;-)
thomas nagy chears tom
The van I'll be using is a mercedes vito so not a massive amount of space but hopefully once i get it I'll be able to arrange it the best I can.
Look forward to seeing the gear video, just wondering if y could do a van walk around along with it too, help give me some ideas
Hey mate, loving your vids! I noticed that the other vid about the chick that didn't know what a dozen was (fair play for giving her a shout out by the way!) You couldn't mention the shop she worked in cause UA-cam would shout at you! Toolstation, yeh? So much for not mentioning it!! 😂😂🤐🤐 Oops!!
I am an Aircraft Avionic/electrical engineer not a domestic electrician, so I have no choice but to do simple little jobs at times, however the way I see you doing these simple jobs is:
A- Being self employed you can charge what you feel fit for your time, making every 'simple' job worth doing if they will pay what you ask.
B- You are in the business to do work and not turn it down. There is no point being the world's best at re wiring a house if you refuse to change a lamp.
C- Being self employed you want to get your name and brand out there. If these letting agencies and property developers are willing to give you small jobs, I bet they are willing to give large ones. Turn down the simple work and that might be you off their list. Potential income lost there on future work.
D- It must be a bit of variety, and as you said, you can fit these.jobs around your own life.
Keep up the videos, they are really interesting and you are an entertaining personality on camera!
funny to see you on the side of the st.
What is your favorite brand of tools.
Safety glasses do wonders
When u changed the light fitting, two sets of cables each with blue brown and earths seemed to drop out the ceiling... is there any reason why two sets were there and not one?
looped from one down-lighter to the next, so the end of line will only have one cable
Exactly, all of the lights that turn on together is just chained together :) We do the same in Denmark
just wonderd what software you use for your certificates mate?
I flick between the NICEIC website software and a private software i bought online which is basically the same thing. I dont bother with the paper certificates anymore but loads of companies still use them. ;-)
Great video as per, I've been stealth watching lately haha. Out of curiosity do you have to replace the downlights like for like? How did you know what brand they where etc before going to the job if so? Your view count is hugely increasing now mate, im chuffed for you!😊
Keep em coming!
good to hear from ya buddy! stealth watching lol ;-)
yeah its increasing slowly but surely. been to that flat numerous times before so i knew how many lights were in the bathrooms etc. also the agent told me two above the shower had blown.
the size was a guess, but they generally are either 64 or 72mm.;-)
How many parking tickets have u got recently, must have a collection going!!
Thomas great video. You do however look like you’ve had enough of the constant drama of parking, walking to site, going back to the van to get steps, back again cause you’ve forgotten something, Breaking the ceiling etc. Your not your usual bubbly yet dry humoured self who sees the funny side of everything. Remember when your GoPro charger blew up haha. I know exactly how this feels I work for a big firm but am usually by myself doing the same sort of thing when there could be a perfectly capable apprentice taking some of the load, helping so there’s only 1 trip to the van etc. You seem like you’ve got plenty on. I reckon you should look at taking a young bloke on as a labourer or apprentice. This might even add a new dimension to your videos. Either or mate, your videos and they are awesome and they make my day. Keep up the great work of trying to juggle your tool bag, camera and mic. Take care mate.
Hey Craig,
Yesterday for example i was doing a kitchen refit and got some really good footage from the whole day which i was properly chuffed with.......when i got home i plugged in my camera to find i forgot to switch on the external mic, so had great footage but no sound. I was absolutely steaming!
The biggest issue im hitting is that as im buying more advanced tech to try to get smoother footage and cleaner sound such as gimbals, chest cranes, wireless mics, audio mixer etc; the more i have to carry around and assemble/disassemble on each job. Im currently trying to design a handheld crane that can incorporate all of these items in one hand to save me time on site so i dont have to assemble and disassemble all the time. I Haven't figured it yet, but im working on it! ;-)
Apprentice; i get what your saying, and agree. Just haven't quite made that jump yet. I think it would add a twist to my videos. I was putting some thought into this the other week as its time i think.
have a good weekend buddy. ;-)
Hope you reach 1k subs
van tour when?
It'll be coming soon I promise. Ill record it next week. Just finished recording earning potential and pay so this is the next video in line ;-)
Thomas, what are you thoughts about the IP20 downlights abobe the shower in your video? As a plumber in The Netherlands i like you channel a lot, and you know plumbers en electricians are not always the best friends on the site ;)
Just a question (you could to do a Q & A section in your video - just question or so)
But do you find yourself when you're say overseas on holiday - do you have a nosy at the local electrical work?
Went to Austria last month and yeah always have a look at the local work thats in your hotel room etc 😂
I find it interesting just to see how other countries do their work and stuff. Was in a new apartment block briefly while I was there and some of their wiring is miles different to the U.K.
Haha yeah well my mate works as a electrician in New Zealand and he had the pleasure of visiting the UK to meet his future in laws. He had a nosy at their electrical work to understand how ring circuits work. His in laws weren't too impressed when they caught him sniffing out the circuit breakers in their basement. He did comment he was rather impressed with the fused plugs and the shutters on your sockets. He even had the honour stepping on one of these plugs with bare feet.
AHHHHHH! Three pin plug straight to the foot! Hurts like hell! ;-)
Hitting that Range Rover would have made for a great video lol
Sweating like a dig in a....Brill
0:47 Dozen = 12. And if you were a Baker, it could be 13 ("Baker's Dozen") -- but I do not think many bakers use that measure nowadays. Thought originally to refer to the sale of eggs by bakers, and their being good chaps, adding one extra in case of a "baddie" amongst them.
I wish if I'd living there i would have work every day
Do they only sale range rovers in London?
Safety glasses, Mr Nagy...
Not compulsory unless you employ more than 4 so his choice to wear or not. Same as pink socks really!
Why don’t you park on single yellows on a Sunday??
Call out charge them small ones 😋
My Meggar packed up to......the symbol in the corner turned out to be a "£" sign...ha....
dont say things like that! i havent sent mine off for repair yet; partly because i have a feeling it will be un-repairable or repairable for a fee greater than what its worth.
Thomas -- why not repair it yourself?! It's probably something very simple...
hope you informed them of the damage to the ceiling or the tenant could be blamed when the tenancy ends
I’m a handy guy who will tackle most jobs, but I won’t touch plumbing.
I can understand not wanting to touch something as potentially lethal as electrics.
No freaking idea how i end up here..But great content.Subscribe to you i will..
I wish if that much electrical work is in my country
Video should be retitled “Baker’s Dozen”
The owners make a shed load of money from rentals so no need to change light bulbs themselves. They are probably on a lovely beach somewhere sipping cocktails with a woman in each arm.
Stress free?! Lights?! Ye right..
Well, everyone could put their trash cans on the garbage truck and press the button to have it emptied in the truck and bring it back. Would you do it? No obviously not.
You would have to wear closes which can get dirty, have to know how to operate it safely and it's a job not everyone can do physically. Also, the garbage truck drives in your neighborhood when you're usually working (when you like an office job schedule).
So why bother, just do the work you like and enjoy when it's easy. :)
Hi Tom, If your MFT has died and its beyond repair, consider an upgrade to 1721 MFT - Great piece of kit would highly recommend!
hi Tony.
it may well be the case. If it costs over £100 to fix ill just buy a new one i think. I have had this one for 7 years now and its done well but its dated in comparison to meters like the 1721.
Ill keep ya posted. ;-)
9:37 Homeowner capable???? Yes, the homeowner may possibly be able technically, but where it comes to climbing even a few inches above the floor, there may be a "Fear of Heights" factor that precludes the owner from doing some otherwise simple jobs. e.g. I am technically capable of doing building jobs, but it was all I could do to climb a ladder to nail the main beam and various rafters for the roofing structure in a single story workshop. I had to get a roofer to lay and fix the corrugated tin sheet for me - an otherwise simple task.
Do you have to sweating so much?
Tight fecker working Sunday 😂, is do a few hours on a Sunday but I wouldn't be let. Took a bit of your advice on charging people I did a job for myself this eve & made up the bill then thought it was too much but stuck with it, I said to myself if he doesn't like it I won't ever have to be in this shitty cow shed at 8pm again
Damn,roads look quite for w1
Old ones were IP20, above the shower...nice...ffs.
Didn’t you do the job on a Sunday... Why are you charging the client for Congestion Charge?
my mistake. forgot it was a Sunday when i was saying it.
Saturdays and Sundays are CC free. ;-)
See you never managed to make it into that parking pace then
Hi Tom,
1. How do you keep a diary of your appointments - electronic or physical diary?
2. Have any of your customers ever watched your videos? ☺️
Thanks, enjoy your channel.
Ross
Hi buddy.
Yeah most of my clients keep up to date with my vids 💪 keeps them entertained!
My diary is electronic. I'm not a total fan of it but I will do a video discussing its pros and cons 👍
Hi
Just remember.. if you could do "everything yourself" there would be no economy..
hundreds of quid to change some light bulbs, sign me up son!
Parking real estate is so coveted.
Are u looking for an apprentice if you are I’m the person for you
2 hours to change lightbulbs? stop ripping people off
If you find yourself inundated with jobs that involve sitting around and twiddling your thumbs then feel free to give me a call, I'm happy to help out at £95 hour plus travelling costs etc. and I am fully qualified.
Money hungry spark
Some people earn more ,money than you charge per hour so why would they change a light bulb if their earning more money some where else,simple maths!
That you lee