Sparky looking to get into fitting

[Karl91]

Hi guys,

I'm a 25 year old qualified sparky of 3 years, been looking at getting into kitchen fitting as it's always interested me and I think it would pair up well, also can't hurt to be multi-skilled in this day and age! 

I've got quite a few of the tools needed already, what do you guys think is my best bet at getting in? Was thinking of ringing a few local blokes explain I'm a sparks looking to learn fitting?

Any advice appreciated!

[Fitter Steve]

Sounds like a plan Karl.  Good luck 

Where u from?

[PREM]

Welcome Karl

Well we know you have a hammer, as its the first tool a spark picks up to look at something   A  Rail saw/ plug saw is a must.  It can make a rough spark into a half decent fitter, we know this through experience, our beloved leader use to be a half decent spark

Router and jig, clamps, a table or bench tresells and you are on your way.

[Karl91]

Thanks guys,

So you think it could be a good move?

Haha the hammer theory isn't true of all sparks! 

I'm from Bedfordshire

[stejoke]

Hi Karl

Being able to do your own electrics would pair up well with the fitting!

Whether it's a good move is a harder question! Depends on many things, but if you'll enjoy doing the fitting and make a decent wage, then I'd say yes!

Good luck

Steve

[CVC]

I imagine a transition from electrician to kitchen fitter would be a pretty difficult thing to do wouldn't it? completely different skill set hands/tools wise. Are there many guys on here that have taken this route? how did they find it? I would have assumed most would have come through via a carpentry/building background?

[snezza]

I imagine a transition from electrician to kitchen fitter would be a pretty difficult thing to do wouldn't it? completely different skill set hands/tools wise. Are there many guys on here that have taken this route? how did they find it? I would have assumed most would have come through via a carpentry/building background?

I reckon you are correct CVC that most people have come through from the building/ carpentry side. Not that there is a lot of Carpentry or Joinery in a modern kitchen.

I had just finished 4 years in Electrical/Mechanical engineering when I started fitting kitchens. That was 35 years ago.
 I believe our illustrious leader Stretch was also an Electrician before he changed over to kitchens,......so it is doable.

[Stretch]

And welcome from me....illustrious and beloved apparently!!

Yes, I started my working life as a spark way back in the late 80s and did it happily for years, but those were the days when all you needed to know was what size T&E to install for your relevant circuits, various earth bonding cable sizes....and that's about it.

Now you have to sign off a bit of paper which says you won't kill anyone or set fire to their house.....I believe these bits of paper can sometimes cost £250 for half a days work?

Perhaps they should have a little check box at the bottom where you can declare if you drilled any holes in the back of a cabinet needlessly, whether you followed the plan and installed cables where kitchen fitters couldn't possibly drill through them and whether you cleaned up all your cable cuttings  and wood shavings from site before you went home at the end of the day. I would imagine in each case you would tick the "No" box......

I digress...I fitted my first kitchen in the late 90s with my brother in law. We had no collective kitchen fitting skills between us but we took our time and did a good job. I got a few kitchen fitting jobs off the back of this from other family and friends and decided it was much easier to work in one room than ripping up floorboards and crawling through loft spaces so I'm made the move to kitchen fitting.

Nearly 20 years on and I'm still learning new things every week. It takes years to hone your skills and get yourself a reputation - good or bad - but it was definitely the best move I ever made.

[jonny round boy]

Now you have to sign off a bit of paper which says you won't kill anyone or set fire to their house

So THAT's why you gave it up, is it? You couldn't sign it in all good conscience...