If you’ve been thinking about starting up as a freelance gas engineer but have been putting it off because you’re not sure where to start with it, then this is for you! Discover everything you need to kickstart your career as an engineer and the does and don’ts of working with gas.
Table of Contents
The basics
First things first, you will need the correct training and proper qualifications. You cannot work with gas until you are fully qualified, as it can be an extremely dangerous and risky job at times.
You’ll need to hold an industry recognized qualification and have passed a gas safe registration confirming that you know what to do. The best place to start when looking for a gas engineer qualification is at a college or apprenticeship course. This qualification could include an NVQ or Diploma in courses including:
- Domestic Natural Gas Installation and Maintenance
- Domestic Plumbing and Heating
- Gas Utilization
Whilst there you will be in the best hands whilst learning and be able to pick up some valuable skills that you will need throughout your career as a gas engineer.
You will then be legally obligated to get onto the gas safe register. This will be needed to cover the types of appliances you’ll be working on, such as gas boilers for example. You will only be able to conduct work on appliances that you are legally trained to handle.
This is why its important to cover all of the appliances that you will intend on working with during your training, as you will need all relevant and necessary training before carrying out these types of maintenance.
The tools
Once you are fully trained and qualified, you’ll want to have the right tools for the job. This part is also incredibly important. You won’t want to skimp and cut costs on cheap equipment as it could lead to faults later down the line, some of which could be detrimental.
Having the right tools to hand and knowing exactly how to use them confidently will go a long way when visiting clients and conducting repairs and replacements. You’ll want a set of tools that are reliable, and also some spares for back up in case your initial set goes missing or ends up damaged as this can happen from time to time.
Be sure to go to a reputable tool tradesman and built rapport with them so that you know you can come back to them if you have any discrepancies or need tools ordering in especially for a particular job.
The reputation
Building a positive reputation is a crucial part to creating a freelance business. Having loyal customers who recommend your services will improve ratings of clientele and lead to more bookings, causing you to earn more revenue.
A good way to boost your reputation and get your business name out there is to sign up to sites like checkatrade. Here people will be able to verify that you are a trustworthy businessman. Most people will use these types of sites now to find a reputable engineer when they have a problem, so it’s worthwhile having your details readily available along with a number for clients to book with you directly.
Remember to have a friendly, positive telephone manner and to be polite in person. A happy and well-presented gas engineer is likely to get more bookings than one who looks disheveled and is impolite.
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