Anyone here worked for Dyno Rod?

[armyash]

Has anyone reading this worked for Dyno Rod before?

I have an interview with them tomorrow, it will be a lot more hours than i'm currently doing but it's a permanent position. paid hoiday etc which i don't get now. Hopefully someone here can tell me what they are like.

Assuming I get offered the job, there's pros and cons to taking it or staying put.

Can't make my mind up.

Apparently i will be asked what i know about the company, questions about health and safety and customer service type questions. Only so much i can prepare.

There will be a 10 question test on plumbing stuff maybe a couple included will be heating and electrical.

Anyway opinions from past or present employees would be great 🙂

Thanks

 

[Rickster123]

Isn't that all drainage work? Dyno rod = poo to me. But if it's what you wanna do then go for it mate. What's up with the current job?

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

It's part of BG I think still?

 

[armyash]

Yeah they seem to be known for drainage more than actual plumbing but this is a reactive maintenance plumbing job with a bit of CH breakdowns thrown in.

Yes still part of BG.

I'll be looking at about 15-20 hours more per week from what i understand. 0800-1800 basic hours before any overtime etc

My job now is SE subbying to a local firm, it's not too bad, i sometimes get wound up with lack of communication/info provided. The boss is fairly laid back though. All local work, van and fuel paid for and can use van for my own jobs. Obviously no holiday, no overtime (even if i end up staying a couple of extra hours to get stuff finished) normal hours. There are no prospects working here though, i'm never going to be on good money unless i bump my money up with private work which i actually enjoy because it gives me confidence.

New job, planned work unless emergencies come in, holiday, better pay but more hours fair enough, from what i have been told it will be covering BR/DA postcodes so approx 40 mins from me give or take. So that's time added on to my day also.

 

[Rickster123]

8am-6pm basic hours? Blimey, I get a nose bleed if I'm out past 3pm. But if it's gonna bring in better money and if your family life won't suffer for it then go for it mate.

 

[Nostrum]

Has anyone reading this worked for Dyno Rod before?

I have an interview with them tomorrow, it will be a lot more hours than i'm currently doing but it's a permanent position. paid hoiday etc which i don't get now. Hopefully someone here can tell me what they are like.

Assuming I get offered the job, there's pros and cons to taking it or staying put.

Can't make my mind up.

Apparently i will be asked what i know about the company, questions about health and safety and customer service type questions. Only so much i can prepare.

There will be a 10 question test on plumbing stuff maybe a couple included will be heating and electrical.

Anyway opinions from past or present employees would be great 🙂

Thanks

Good luck with the interview mate

 

[armyash]

8am-6pm basic hours? Blimey, I get a nose bleed if I'm out past 3pm. But if it's gonna bring in better money and if your family life won't suffer for it then go for it mate.

haha i'm usually out until 5.30 unless im doing my own jobs then it can be anything up until 10ish. The agency have really been trying to sell the job to me saying how much money can be earned with overtime but i'm thinking leave house at 6.45 to get to first job for 8 finish last job 6ish then home for 7ish, doesn't leave much for overtime unless im doing long days day in day out. It doesn't sound like a particularly hard job but trying to weigh up if the extra hours are worth the extra money that i could be earning doing my own work anyway. Been on my mind all day. Part of me is thinking stay where i am and build up my own customer base.

Thanks for the replies so far though.

 

[plumben]

Has anyone reading this worked for Dyno Rod before?

I have an interview with them tomorrow, it will be a lot more hours than i'm currently doing but it's a permanent position. paid hoiday etc which i don't get now. Hopefully someone here can tell me what they are like.

Assuming I get offered the job, there's pros and cons to taking it or staying put.

Can't make my mind up.

Apparently i will be asked what i know about the company, questions about health and safety and customer service type questions. Only so much i can prepare.

There will be a 10 question test on plumbing stuff maybe a couple included will be heating and electrical.

Anyway opinions from past or present employees would be great 🙂

Thanks

My mate works for them on the plumbing/maintenance
From what I gather, its all good,
Gets good money, every job he gets commission/bounces
When on call get to use the van for personal use

 

[jonnyswamp]

Is it a lot more money per hour than what you're on now?
If you're finishing at 6pm and got an hours drive to get back home, are you going to feel like starting again for a couple of hours?
You could be out of the house for 12 hrs without your "hobbles" after work, if they supply a van it'll probably be tracked, so therefore may not be able to use it out of hrs
Ask lots of questions about what their current engineers average hrs/pay and overtime are

 

[armyash]

My mate works for them on the plumbing/maintenance
From what I gather, its all good,
Gets good money, every job he gets commission/bounces
When on call get to use the van for personal use

I'm going to go for the interview, do my best and see what comes off it. It's a job that I am more than capable of doing from the sounds of it. I hope if i get it, it's well organised, i dont mind how hard i have to work but i don't want to have to work harder because people can't get stuff sorted.

 

[armyash]

Is it a lot more money per hour than what you're on now?
If you're finishing at 6pm and got an hours drive to get back home, are you going to feel like starting again for a couple of hours?
You could be out of the house for 12 hrs without your "hobbles" after work, if they supply a van it'll probably be tracked, so therefore may not be able to use it out of hrs
Ask lots of questions about what their current engineers average hrs/pay and overtime are

That's it, will be a 12 hour day including travelling before i even think of overtime.

It will be approx 500 a month extra pay but 15-20 hours extra a week.

 

[jonnyswamp]

That's it, will be a 12 hour day including travelling before i even think of overtime.

That's what I was trying to get across, if you get more money for working those 12 hrs than you would for working your current hrs (including hobbles) then go for it
You'll see more of your family and more free time, so a winner

 

[plumben]

I'm going to go for the interview, do my best and see what comes off it. It's a job that I am more than capable of doing from the sounds of it. I hope if i get it, it's well organised, i dont mind how hard i have to work but i don't want to have to work harder because people can't get stuff sorted.

From what I gather, they've got a store at the office that he fills his van up with and has a company account to buy other materials that he needs for jobs

 

[armyash]

I will have a clearer idea after the interview tomorrow, will update for those interested 🙂

 

[jonnyswamp]

Good luck mate, keep us posted

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Good luck

 

[gasmanrob]

You'll be interviewed by mark whittock. Ex bg manager made redundant and was then employed by dyno.

A lot of the work is plumbing under the British Gas home care agreement. Majority of it will be maintenance swapping out taps and siphons. And the dreaded trace and access.

Think our area office is Bromley although don't quote me on that.

Use words like customer experience, and so on.

Basically your job as an employee is to ultimately resolve the issue in a quick and cost effective manner but every job starts with the customers experience. From booking the job to seeing you out the door the customer needs to feel not only valued but that they also received value for money. It takes 10 minutes to roll out dust sheets and can save a fortune in cleaning bills or possibly worse. The aim is to do it right and do it once with the aim of zero call backs.

Something like that will win the interview for you mate.

 

[armyash]

You'll be interviewed by mark whittock. Ex bg manager made redundant and was then employed by dyno.

A lot of the work is plumbing under the British Gas home care agreement. Majority of it will be maintenance swapping out taps and siphons. And the dreaded trace and access.

Think our area office is Bromley although don't quote me on that.

Use words like customer experience, and so on.

Basically your job as an employee is to ultimately resolve the issue in a quick and cost effective manner but every job starts with the customers experience. From booking the job to seeing you out the door the customer needs to feel not only valued but that they also received value for money. It takes 10 minutes to roll out dust sheets and can save a fortune in cleaning bills or possibly worse. The aim is to do it right and do it once with the aim of zero call backs.

Something like that will win the interview for you mate.

Thanks for the information!

Do you know Mark Whittock? if yes what is he like?

Yes from the info i have been given so far it will be general maintenance which i do a lot of now so i have confidence i can do the job but expect to come across a few challenges. the girl from the agency has told me to show the importance of health and safety which is non existent in my current job.

I will make sure i realise the importance of customer service and getting the job done correctly first time.

 

[gasmanrob]

Yeah I know him, he was my com at bg(regional manager).

He was alright to begin with but time changes things. As an individual he's fine as a manager... Well he ticks all managerial boxes he may have relaxed a bit over the years so you never know he may not be there anymore but to my knowledge he is.

Health and safety is ott being part of the centrica group but I have to say Id never been so well looked after. Silly things like when I got issued a new van they asked that I reported the freshly polished rubber floor mat as a near miss and they sent a mobile valiter out to scrub it. They also stopped using transit connects as the mechanism that held the doors open wasn't stiff enough and peoples doors came back at them if they opened them to quickly...

Good luck with it though ash make the most of it

 

[gassafe]

Health and safety is ott being part of the centrica group but I have to say Id never been so well looked after. Silly things like when I got issued a new van they asked that I reported the freshly polished rubber floor mat as a near miss and they sent a mobile valiter out to scrub it. They also stopped using transit connects as the mechanism that held the doors open wasn't stiff enough and peoples doors came back at them if they opened them to quickly...

Good luck with it though ash make the most of it

Jesus... Sounds like a right namby pamby lot!? Getting someone to scrub your floor mat, and the door hinge not string enough haha...

 

[armyash]

Yeah I know him, he was my com at bg(regional manager).

He was alright to begin with but time changes things. As an individual he's fine as a manager... Well he ticks all managerial boxes he may have relaxed a bit over the years so you never know he may not be there anymore but to my knowledge he is.

Health and safety is ott being part of the centrica group but I have to say Id never been so well looked after. Silly things like when I got issued a new van they asked that I reported the freshly polished rubber floor mat as a near miss and they sent a mobile valiter out to scrub it. They also stopped using transit connects as the mechanism that held the doors open wasn't stiff enough and peoples doors came back at them if they opened them to quickly...

Good luck with it though ash make the most of it

I have just had a look through my info for the job and his name is on it so i will expect to have him interview me. Thanks for the heads up.

I will make the most of and find out as much as i can.

Thanks for the advice. Feeling positive now.

 

[gasmanrob]

Trying to think of his hobbies or anything to help spark a generic conversation. He has a very slight and subtle lisp it'll take a while to notice.

Oh and for the love of god if you want that job you don't know me! Even if it is only on a forum. Save that till you've got the job and finished probation

 

[gassafe]

Make sure you dress up, you only get 1 chance to make a good first impression 🙂

 

[AWheating]

For a company like this travel time should be part of the working time, not your own time unpaid.

 

[Dotty]

Trying to think of his hobbies or anything to help spark a generic conversation. He has a very slight and subtle lisp it'll take a while to notice.

Oh and for the love of god if you want that job you don't know me! Even if it is only on a forum. Save that till you've got the job and finished probation

Begs the question. .....

What did you do?

 

[gasmanrob]

Begs the question. .....

What did you do?

I was more of a shepherd then a sheep, coupled with not being too concerned if I lost my job I was rather vocal about things that disgruntled me. Never had a disciplinary though

 

[rpm]

For a company like this travel time should be part of the working time, not your own time unpaid.

It is for me the only exception is when stuck on a motorway as I found out last year when my overtime claim was rejected.

 

[tomplumb83]

No idea what they pay but sounds like a decent job.
Mind you, it is BG so your sole intention will be to rip customers off!
Good luck1

 

[gasmanrob]

No idea what they pay but sounds like a decent job.
Mind you, it is BG so your sole intention will be to rip customers off!
Good luck1

Think you're well out of line there. Yes there are many who miss sell and recommend the wrong thing, but there are many more who do it right it's down to the individual involved, much the same as sole traders and white van man. Most are upstanding trades man but again many are modern day highwaymen.

Yes there products are expensive but no worse then many other larger companies with overheads.

If you were looking after a system for £20 a month and the plate heat exchanger kept blocking up would you replace it every 3 months or advise them to protect against it with a filter and/or flush.

We're all out to make money in the end just their practices are over a larger proportion and population thus bringing them under scrutiny and publicity more often

 

[tomplumb83]

Hmm... I think theres abit more to it than that but I take your point

 

[rpm]

Good and bad in every barrel so the larger the barrel the larger % of bad apples.
By definition we don`t get to hear of the good one`s.

 

[jonnyswamp]

Make sure you dress up, you only get 1 chance to make a good first impression 🙂

Go as Batman or Superman, if nothing else it'll break the ice 😀

 

[armyash]

Only went and got the job!! 🙂

Thanks for all the advice i probably wouldn't have got it without the info on this forum!

 

[rpm]

Only went and got the job!! 🙂

Thanks for all the advice i probably wouldn't have got it without the info on this forum!

Well done Ash.
:26:
:grouphug:
😛arty: 😛arty: 😛arty:

 

[rpm]

Any sticky moments with questions mate or was it all plain sailing?

 

[gasmanrob]

Well done mate. Nice bright tango van on the way to you soon then.

 

[armyash]

Well done mate. Nice bright tango van on the way to you soon then.

Your info/advice was priceless thanks.

 

[armyash]

Any sticky moments with questions mate or was it all plain sailing?

Not really, i did hesitate a few times but i knew the answers and it was probably nerves he seemed to know this. 8/10 on the test paper but it was fairly easy to be honest. It seems early days for the team, the impression i got was that Dyno plumbing is starting to grow rapidly and from september there will be more on the gas side where as now the majority of it is going to be plumbing.

I was in 2 minds last night if i should even go, i'm glad i did, i will now have the security of a permanent job and the benefits that go with that. It's perfect timing we are waiting on the keys to our first house and like everyone else we have plans for the future that will help with.

I will have to complete a British Gas assessment but it sounds straight forward and from the sounds of it I will get briefed up before hand. He said most people pass it easy enough, working in a safe manner seems to be the order of the day.

Hopefully I will have a good career and can get involved in different aspects of the trade. I have the certs so they wouldn't have to pay for that just invest the time to give me experience but that's all a long way off. One step at a time, and getting this job is the best thing at this stage for me.

 

[armyash]

My boss isn't going to be happy, can only give 2 weeks notice.

 

[turnpin]

My boss isn't going to be happy, can only give 2 weeks notice.

Don't feel too bad you have to put you and your young family first may even think about the next guy /girl he take's on .....all the best in your new job ...regards Turnpin🙂

 

[gasmanrob]

Never feel bad for bettering your position in life..

Two weeks is better then any self employed person should ever need to give many give 24 hour notice tops!

 

[spanner]

Nope.. ! I've seen the fluorescent blinding vans a few times before!. But good luck in the application, and don't forget to spill some baked beans on toast on the forum in a few days, weeks, month..
Best luck mate

 

[julesverne]

Fantastic news Ash, if i was in your shoes i would give 1 week tops like Rob says most only give 24 hours.

 

[armyash]

Fantastic news Ash, if i was in your i would give 1 week tops like Rob most give 24 hours.

Thanks.

yes i have had people tell me that about handing in notice, thing is i went to him looking for a job in the first place and he gave me a chance, it's not been the ideal job but it's enabled me to gain more experience. I have made mistakes that have probably caused him problems too. I have put up with stuff that others wouldn't but then he has let some things go too. I feel as though i owe him to some extent. Not only that i don't want to burn any bridges, I don't know what the future holds but i could be in a position one day where I need to ask for work to pay bills.

Plus he's a nice bloke, not that I know him well on a personal level but I want to leave on best possible terms.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Well done Ash very well deserved, look be honest with the guy and say it's about opportunities thank him for taking you on giving you a chance but your looking long term now!

 

[PlumbersMate]

Good luck Ash, I worked for them for about 6 months didn't end great tbh but think it depends what franchise you're on. Guessing my salary was less than yours as I wasn't gas at the time but I had to work silly hours to earn what I class a decent wage

 

[Rickster123]

Where you been hiding plumbersmate? Good to see you back on.

 

[PlumbersMate]

Been trying to have a life mate lol
Na started with a company books in, in January so just been getting my head down mate trying to impress! Hope all is good with you mate, have a banana cocktail on me

 

[spanner]

Not really, i did hesitate a few times but i knew the answers and it was probably nerves he seemed to know this. 8/10 on the test paper but it was fairly easy to be honest. It seems early days for the team, the impression i got was that Dyno plumbing is starting to grow rapidly and from september there will be more on the gas side where as now the majority of it is going to be plumbing.

I was in 2 minds last night if i should even go, i'm glad i did, i will now have the security of a permanent job and the benefits that go with that. It's perfect timing we are waiting on the keys to our first house and like everyone else we have plans for the future that will help with.

I will have to complete a British Gas assessment but it sounds straight forward and from the sounds of it I will get briefed up before hand. He said most people pass it easy enough, working in a safe manner seems to be the order of the day.

Hopefully I will have a good career and can get involved in different aspects of the trade. I have the certs so they wouldn't have to pay for that just invest the time to give me experience but that's all a long way off. One step at a time, and getting this job is the best thing at this stage for me.

Does this mean you'll be under BG umbrella as to being gas safe already.. or is BG (GAS SAfE) as you were saying that you have to go through another test??

 

[jonnyswamp]

Excellent news fella, I assume the money/hrs suited
As for your current boss, shake his hand, give him a bottle of whisky/brandy and tell him how grateful you are for him giving you a chance, but unfortunately you need more security as your circumstances are changing (new house, maybe bigger family etc)
This time next year Rodney......

 

[Ermintrude]

Well done

 

[armyash]

Does this mean you'll be under BG umbrella as to being gas safe already.. or is BG (GAS SAfE) as you were saying that you have to go through another test??

To be honest i don't know, I think with having to do the BG test means i'll be under their gas safe, maybe they will have me doing 50/50 gas and plumbing.

 

[armyash]

Excellent news fella, I assume the money/hrs suited
As for your current boss, shake his hand, give him a bottle of whisky/brandy and tell him how grateful you are for him giving you a chance, but unfortunately you need more security as your circumstances are changing (new house, maybe bigger family etc)
This time next year Rodney......

Thanks, that's pretty much what I had in mind. I am dreading telling him tomorrow morning but i have to do what's best for me and my family. I know he will understand it's just come at a bad time (for him).

 

[armyash]

Excellent news fella, I assume the money/hrs suited
As for your current boss, shake his hand, give him a bottle of whisky/brandy and tell him how grateful you are for him giving you a chance, but unfortunately you need more security as your circumstances are changing (new house, maybe bigger family etc)
This time next year Rodney......

Yes the basic hours suit me. Have to be on call 1 weekend in 4 and 1 night a week. I will have to get used to that as I haven't done that sort of thing before. I'm sure it will be fine.

I have to step out of my comfort zone if I'm going to get the career I want.

 

[Gray0689]

Only went and got the job!! 🙂

Thanks for all the advice i probably wouldn't have got it without the info on this forum!

Good on you ash
You will be a credit to the company

 

[kris]

Well done ash, onwards and upwards, you'll have to keep us updated on first day etc,

 

[northstar]

Well done Ash

 

[IDCHAPPY]

So they do gas work too?

 

[mountainman]

I'm not sure that you'll be allowed to keep your gas safe registration or do private work, hopefully I'm mistaken.
Congratulations anyway mate, you've come a long way in a short time

 

[armyash]

So they do gas work too?

Yes they do gas work, they did say it's early days for the gas side of things but they will start pushing gas work from September.

 

[armyash]

I'm not sure that you'll be allowed to keep your gas safe registration or do private work, hopefully I'm mistaken.
Congratulations anyway mate, you've come a long way in a short time

I'm more than happy to leave the private work alone, I will be better off doing overtime when offered. I want to establish myself there, gain more experience and become a better plumber.

I will go in with more confidence than i did at my current job, I won't have the Pee taken out of me but I will work very hard. It's going to be hard work i'm sure but I'm looking forward to working somewhere that is professional.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Seems odd given they are part of BG? maybe their boiler change quotes will be £100 cheaper 😀

 

[spanner]

To be honest i don't know, I think with having to do the BG test means i'll be under their gas safe, maybe they will have me doing 50/50 gas and plumbing.

It's money and a good job.. Hope you make a good buck and enjoy. Thatcham the main focus 🙂

 

[parkesy_plumb]

i worked for them a couple of years ago. Worst company i have ever worked for. They are franchised so run by people who have never picked a spanner up before and run ruthlessly. The "overtime" was not optional, at 4.45 you might get a call with 2 more jobs to attend at different ends of the city. I was paid £11 per job no matter where it was or how long it took.

Did one at hour and half drive, 3 hour repair and hour half home at 3 in the morning all for £11.

i cant even take any positives from my experience with them im afraid 🙁 told the boss lady to F off and walked out after 6 months and started on my own

 

[spanner]

i worked for them a couple of years ago. Worst company i have ever worked for. They are franchised so run by people who have never picked a spanner up before and run ruthlessly. The "overtime" was not optional, at 4.45 you might get a call with 2 more jobs to attend at different ends of the city. I was paid £11 per job no matter where it was or how long it took.

Did one at hour and half drive, 3 hour repair and hour half home at 3 in the morning all for £11.

i cant even take any positives from my experience with them im afraid 🙁 told the boss lady to F off and walked out after 6 months and started on my own

Jheeez

 

[spanner]

Surely the rates in payment MUST change after current working hours mate. Surely that's overtime.
Well I'll put that To the back if I ever get the offer.
Mate that's disgraceful, you really wouldn't believe big massive companies like dyno would treat company staff like that!! 😱(

 

[stevetheplumber]

You'll probably find there's an hours unpaid lunch break in that time I still think that reactive work is a good way to pick up a lot of knowledge in this game

 

[parkesy_plumb]

like i said it is franchised so the aim of the game was the owner had to make as much money as possible

 

[tomplumb83]

I pointed this out on another thread.
A customer calls them with a leak on a cold pipe to an appliance.
They'll say something along the lines of 'itll cost £120 to stop the leak'. Customer goes ahead
Even if its just as easy to cut the pipe and stick a flexi on, instead they'll want to cap the pipe, leaving the customer without water. They'll give them the option of repairing it with the flexi which will cost another £100.
At this point the customer will often get it done to avoid messing about with another plumber.
All this after theyve already paid their insurance excess

 

[armyash]

I will have a basic salary, there's loads of overtime apparently.

0800-1800

That's logged in and on the road for 8 - will have to be earlier if going a fair way. Not sure what time they will be giving me the last job on a day and not sure how the overtime works, the first month i'm going to do as much overtime as possible and see what difference that will make to my basic pay 🙂

I expect to be rushed off my feet and i don't mind working over my hours - providing i get paid!. There is a lunch break from what i have seen but not sure how long.

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Nice one. All sounds good & excellent experience.

 

[northstar]

How did it go with your boss ?

 

[stevetheplumber]

Yeah I know him, he was my com at bg(regional manager).

He was alright to begin with but time changes things. As an individual he's fine as a manager... Well he ticks all managerial boxes he may have relaxed a bit over the years so you never know he may not be there anymore but to my knowledge he is.
Health and safety is ott being part of the centrica group but I have to say Id never been so well looked after. Silly things like when I got issued a new van they asked that I reported the freshly polished rubber floor mat as a near miss and they sent a mobile valiter out to scrub it. They also stopped using transit connects as the mechanism that held the doors open wasn't stiff enough and peoples doors came back at them if they opened them to quickly...

Good luck with it though ash make the most of it

tsg were like that paranoid about h and e if it was an easy fix but couldnt in ten months get the hands free working in a brand new van as there was never time to be of the roadash i think you need to take a new job even if its not exactly what you want ,your obviously not happy where you are and theres always another job, sometimes you need to just do it

 

[stevetheplumber]

first month will be a nightmare ash as well as working you will need to learn the software who to speak to all the numbers to call you realy wont get into it till the second month

 

[armyash]

first month will be a nightmare ash as well as working you will need to learn the software who to speak to all the numbers to call you realy wont get into it till the second month

That is what i am expecting and i am mentally prepared to be all over the place for the first 4-6 weeks. Once I am in to a routine and know my way with how things are i should be ok.

 

[armyash]

tsg were like that paranoid about h and e if it was an easy fix but couldnt in ten months get the hands free working in a brand new van as there was never time to be of the roadash i think you need to take a new job even if its not exactly what you want ,your obviously not happy where you are and theres always another job, sometimes you need to just do it

I had an interview and got offered a job with TSG a back in January. I just didn't get a good vibe from them, i was going to be covering the South East and expected to do 14 jobs a day, i don't care who you are 14 jobs a day are not getting done - not to any decent standard anyway. One of the lads even called me and said no one does 14 jobs but 10-12 - that's still a lot, and if it's immersion changes etc it's not happening. Not when you factor in time to go and get parts in between too. The guy who interviewed me seemed nice enough, i didn't do great on the test and he still wanted to give me the job but the blokes sounded snowed under with little support.

 

[armyash]

How did it go with your boss ?

He was understanding. He doesn't want me to leave, i think i work hard and i think he knows that. Sometimes i mess up by not having the right stuff on the van and sometimes waste time getting parts, sometimes have messed up causing problems. I need to calm down and just focus on the job at hand instead of flapping because i have another load to get through.

He's a really nice bloke and I am grateful for the chance he has given me and I said that and i said i hope he doesn't think i'm being disloyal. He said is it the money and i said no - the new job is better pay but that's not my main reason for leaving. I said to him i need to become a good plumber and doing it day in day out I know I can be. It's strange, at the minute i'm doing a wide variety of work, whether it's minor electrical work, helping to fit bathrooms/kitchens, plumbing, gas work, the occasional boiler change. So I can't ever say i'm bored but i need to get my teeth in to something and become excellent at it. It will do my confidence the world of good, once i am good at plumbing to the standard he is then i would be happy to do this sort of job. It's the ideal job for someone who has lots of experience, it would be easy for them but i don't feel i'm ever going to get really good at any one thing.

I have learnt a lot and i will always be grateful for it, one day I could see myself back there but i need to do this. It's a low pressure job just needs running differently and i feel bad for my boss because he has a lot on his plate. He has had a bad time in his personal life lately too with the death of his dad which makes me feel even worse but I think if i stay there i'm going to be in exactly the same position in 12 months time.

I'm rambling.

He asked me what can be done to make things better for me and i couldn't answer him, he said would it be better if i was just doing the plumbing and not the other stuff but i said no because i know that stuff needs to be done and if i'm the only bloke available to do it then i'm happy to do it. I don't think there's loads of money in the pot and I know he doesn't take home rock star wages either so it's not like he's taking the mickey. We have 3 other guys who don't bring in any money for the most part but they still get paid,. I find this madness and I think he does too but 2 of them are friends of his father in law who i think gets the final say.

If he was running things differently and wanted to get me trained up on breakdowns by working alongside himself or another engineer I would stay but he isn't in the position to do that and it's unrealistic.

Anyway I feel really bad because it's not the best time to be leaving and i do enjoy working there even though i get more stressed and annoyed than i should but i have to think what's best long term.

 

[jefaz]

Ash unfortunately it's dog eat dog pal. You need to work to support your family and saying you're going to be working for a few years to come you need to be as happy as possible in your role. It's your happiness that affect your home life and your family. I'm afraid that's the way of the world mate. It's number 1 time.

 

[smtplumbing]

ash only am going to say is family comes firsrt

 

[PlumbersMate]

I had an interview and got offered a job with TSG a back in January. I just didn't get a good vibe from them, i was going to be covering the South East and expected to do 14 jobs a day, i don't care who you are 14 jobs a day are not getting done - not to any decent standard anyway. One of the lads even called me and said no one does 14 jobs but 10-12 - that's still a lot, and if it's immersion changes etc it's not happening. Not when you factor in time to go and get parts in between too. The guy who interviewed me seemed nice enough, i didn't do great on the test and he still wanted to give me the job but the blokes sounded snowed under with little support.

My record at dyno was 23 jobs in 1 day! Lol
With regards to parts, you all get a van stock and then have to go to your office 1 day a week to restock your van. Just be careful mate the more you do the more they'll want, always make time for you andyour family. All the best anyway. 90% of the work is a complete doddle, ball valves etc. if you're working on the bonus scheme I was then it's easy to raise second jobs to hit your bonus much quicker etc

 

[stevetheplumber]

so hows it going ash?

 

[spanner]

How's Ash, ???

 

[armyash]

I start Monday, a bit nervous but i'm going in with confidence and enthusiasm. I'm off today, cleared the work van ready to give back.

About to go and pick up new tools etc that i have either lost or need to replace.

Thanks for all the comments I really appreciate it. I want to get the first couple of weeks out the way and settle in so i can relax.

I will be getting the train up there on Monday morning and been told i'll be driving the new van home.

 

[turnpin]

Good to hear you getting sorted and for the update....don`t be a stranger to the forum`s mate always`s enjoyed reading your post`s I have the feeling you will do well in your new job ....regards Turnpin:smile5:

 

[stevetheplumber]

good luck for tomorrow ash by tomorrow night youll be thinking have i done the right thing just remember it doesnt matter your still getting paid then evaluate in a months time

 

[SimonG]

Congrats Ash, well done.

Step by step and enjoy it.

 

[spanner]

Onwards and upwards. Best luck with it mate.

 

[PlumbersMate]

Keen to know how you're getting on ash

 

[armyash]

Been with the company for four weeks now.

Really enjoying it, a lot of driving some days but got to take the rough with the smooth. I have my jobs sent to my phone and i can get on with them, there's always communications between me and my despatcher and she is nice, she says i'm doing well.

Some days i get lots of work done, some days not so much but every job is different. Wouldn't say i have had lots of nightmare jobs but i have had a couple.

Have had calls to the office from customers praising me and my manager has called me a couple of times to say well done and he said he's happy with me the office staff seem ok with me too.

Passed the BG assessment too which i was pleased about, wouldn't say it was easy but it wasn't really hard either. The lad who did it with me failed, he probably has a lot more experience in the trade than me so that gave me a lot of confidence.

I'm enjoying it, been doing the over time too to bump my money up.

Was on call out last weekend, wasn't too bad, it's the driving to the jobs which makes it tiring.

The fact it's well run and i can just get on with the work makes my life less stressful. It's a world apart from what i'm used to. My gf has said how much happier i seem. I'm doing a lot more hours but not blowing my own trumpet i am a hard worker. At my last place i was coming in so fed up, working late for no extra money having the mickey taken out of me while the labourers/painters minced about and i was only on a little bit more money. It wasn't my business what they earn but why should i be getting messed around, constantly exhausted and hardly finish work on time just because i have a trade and my work brings in the most money.

So far, so good and very happy i took the job.

 

[julesverne]

Good to hear your enjoying it ash

 

[Fallon1982]

Only just seen this thread - Is it the Dyno lot in Beckenham mate? Seems they have changed there tune! I worked for them for 4 or 5 years and by the end I hated it. Mind you I left them 2 and a half years ago so plenty has obviously changed in that time!

My word of warning, is don't get too matey with the office staff and watch what you say to people. There is always someone prepared to stab you in the back for something. Best bet is, don't argue back with them and speak when spoken to! That was my experience anyway... I do tend to pipe up a lot more than I should do! Lol.

Is Mark still the manager? Watch that sly little rat. He wouldn't pee on you, if you was on fire mate! If you want anymore advice I won't bang on in public too much so PM me fella.

All the best. Hope it works out for you.