British gas sub contracting work

[Plumbdad]

Hi

I have recently passed me ACS gas qualifications and registered with gas safe. I am trying to get a role with British gas but it seems the best way in is through sub contracting however British gas have informed me that I also need all my own equipment so need to purchase a gas analyser , have my crb checks down and also go on an energy efficiency course too. It seems to be constant paying out just to get on their books has anyone had any experience of this and getting into British gas or other large companies and have any advice they can give me. I would be grateful for any help or advise and also any advice on getting into the larger companies will I need all my own gas analyser etc .

Thanks in advance for your help
plumbdad

 

[Bhoydavid]

Any company worth their salt will provide you with an FGA. Subbys need to provide everything themselves though which is understandable. I was out not far off £1k to get myself started and I'm not even a subby.

 

[lame plumber]

if you subbie for bg you need to be able to service and repair appliances and why would they provide kit to a subbie, parts yes tools? you need to get a bg apprenticeship not be a subbie, then youll learn the trade

 

[villa_tom]

BG give you a FGA and any tools you need to work safely, the only think you need is hand tools, but that understandable.

 

[markadams]

Plumbdad,

What is your background? I am don't quite understand why you are surprised that you would need your own kit? As a subby you are still self employed and running your own company along with ALL the costs that involves, van, tools, insurance, further training.

No offence but I think you may find it hard to make it pay as you will need to be quick to make it worthwhile as the rates are much lower than on a private job.

 

[JamesyGoosey1]

BG give you a FGA and any tools you need to work safely, the only think you need is hand tools, but that understandable.

That's if you work for them direct subbing all they give you is there dust sheets and aload of paperwork! You need a socket n see tester too there 100 pound plus then they will just leave you to fll the flag for them with no back up!

 

[Millsy 82]

When I subbed to them I was supplied FGA, Socket and see and tons of consumables. Really all you needed was a hoover and hand tools. They even supplied uniform. That was through RIG energy so not direct to them.

They are not too bad to work for but expect alot of customers to say dont bother trying to sell me a new boiler I dont want one. Lol

 

[bigman]

I thought 90% of BG engineer's work was trying to sell

 

[81ll]

Plumberdad did you go with a subbie job at BG, if so what's it like?

 

[London Gas]

As a sub contractor I pay for EVERYTHING a part from a gas safe registration and fuel.

 

[Micksta]

BG turned me down when I went for an apprenticeship at the age of 16, many moons ago. I turned them down when they wrote to me telling me they were looking for service engineers in my area ( South East London at the time) I will admit it felt good.

I would bite the bullet and just buy all the stuff you need and get out there doing the job. It will soon pay for it's self.