I started in the electrical industry straight from school in 1986, serving a 5 year apprenticeship, which included 3 years at college for one day a week, culminating in achieving my City & Guilds qualifications.
Throughout my apprenticeship, I was guided by men who already had many years experience within the industry, and back then firms did not seem in such a rush to get things done, so I was able to try and try again until I had mastered the job which had been set for me.
At eighteen I was selected for the maintenance team at the 1988 Farnborough air show, which was very exciting.
I decided to go self-employed quite quickly, and mainly sub-contracted to firms so that I could continue learning. By the age of 23 I was employing up to six men (on a self-employed basis) and carrying out quite substantial works alongside all my domestic rewires etc. For example, we rewired British Telecom' s head offices in Reading.
I also carried out all the electrical maintenance for large factories; including Dennis Specialist Vehicles (they're the Fire Engine people) and Dzus fasteners in Farnham. The domestic works continued to come in thick and fast keeping me and my employee (Martin) very busy.
Of course I continued keeping up to date with regulations by sitting update courses etc.
We completed the major refurbish of two factories for the Camberley based Farnborough metal finishing in 2000.
I had just received news that I had been granted permission to work in Australia and went there specifically to catch the tail end of the Olympic games works, mainly maintenance at that late stage, but I also set up as self-employed again and gained many interesting contracts, (Toni & Guy hair salon fit outs, and large new build houses) for example. We ended up staying in Australia for six years, returning in 2006.
When I returned, I almost immediately set up Jeff Patrick Electrical and quickly gained membership to the NICEIC, allowing me to self-certify under Part P of the building regulations. I then joined the government endorsed Trustmark scheme. In 2008, I upgraded to the newly published 17th edition of BS7671 electrical wiring regulations. Next on the list was Checkatrade, which brings us to now.
I now concentrate on domestic and small commercial works, and as you will hopefully see from my customer feedback reviews I take great pride in my work.
Brian Pink (the man who passed on over forty years of knowledge to me) once said it's not just the work the customer CAN see that makes a good electrician, it's the work they CAN'T see. In other words, if you employ me and part of those works involve crawling through your loft clipping cables behind your suitcases and Christmas decorations then go up there and have a look. You will see that my work is neat and tidy up there too.
Many thanks for looking at my pages, and don't forget to check out my website.
Jeff Patrick
