To Oftec or not to Oftec

[TFGplumbing]

Hiya guys

Cut straight to the chase here, I'am not oftec reg, although I do however have 10 years of experience installing/servicing/fixing oil appliances.

Oftec is an expensive bundle of bureaucracy - are the any other optional competent persons schemes that I could join that would let me self certify & commission work?

 

[Roger Welton]

I'm fairly certain you can with NAPIT though never really looked into it myself, whilst OFTEC are a pain they have the highest consumer awareness so easier to explain.

 

[lame plumber]

none the public know about or recognise, apart fm that they are all the same, til oftec gets some balls its just another name but some people want to see some way to acknowledge your competence and oftec can do that

 

[TFGplumbing]

Well I've just been picking up some interest oil installs, and want to be able to offer my customers the full benefit of the manufacturers warranty, I think most want it commissioned by an Oftec reg installer; to get the warranty.

 

[lame plumber]

exactly, plus the fact you need to be oftec to commission and sign off or naptic or whatever

 

[TFGplumbing]

How much is oftec going to cost all in Course, registration fees etc etc

 

[lame plumber]

oftec site will tell you

 

[TFGplumbing]

Does not seem to specific on there web page, perhaps i'll ring them tomorrow. I've already had a browse through their Rules of registration.. which I may add is rather condescending and a bit pretentious for an optional scheme.

 

[lame plumber]

bout £500 for courses at college and 180 per yr oftec plus reg fee and vat etc etc

 

[Dannypipe]

Don't use my OFTEC registration much. Bit of a waste of money as I operated quite legally without it for years.

Looking to get HEATAS registered next. Another string to the bow, but will it pay for it's self. All in I'm looking at £2800 to get fully qualified and registered for a year. Might get less qualified and registered but it's still a grand.

 

[lame plumber]

without oftec id lose a 1/3 of my oil work overnight

 

[Dannypipe]

Wish I could say the same LP. But my work has always been a mixed bag.

 

[lame plumber]

manufacturers warranty work means you have to be oftec and get on their websites as approved contractor

 

[Dannypipe]

I'm close by two businesses that have the work locked down tight. Depsite the fact that their rates are almost double mine. They are well established and have good engineers so it's a hard business side to break.

I get the odd job where they've quoted silly numbers and I undercut them, and the odd one where people call me first but they mop up a large majority of the work.

 

[TFGplumbing]

Well Id say 2/3 of my work is Gas LP & NG and 1/3 oil, However as my business is young; my oil work is growing, especially this autumn.

I suppose I'll be a man and perhaps take the hit, as oil is very popular here in the wild west.