Cctv Approved By The Nsi Or Ssaib

[Michael Hollands]

Hi 

 

 

Ive just started a small cctv firm and have got a couple of good domestic jobs to start , i offer small domestic alarms but really dont want to bother with them as i have found them a lot of hassle ( fault finding once installed and dont want any call outs). Im after commercial work with cameras really and was thinking that if im say nsi approved will it really get me more of this sort of of work or will i be better off just staying as i am. I am a sole trader at the moment as i havent really got enough work to go Ltd. But i do have all the correct insurances and the crb check to get it. Im sure that you lot have more experience with the NSI or SSAIB than me and wonder if they do one just primarily for CCTV. How much does it cost a year and do you have to be approved to be able to install cctv for commercial or industrial.

 

 

 

Thanks michael

[james.wilson]

Depends on how many you do but as a rough guess small firm would cost about 2 grand a year in certificates, audit time spent, work involved and fees.

[Michael Hollands]

The two jobs im doing come to less than that lol. Domestic customers dont want to pay for top of the range kit, thats why i want to get into commercial industrial, Ive always installed axis pelco and samsung , the customers i serve want swann from costcos. Im not fussed about the work time , i enjoy working for myself and making something which is good for me . Im just struggling trying to break into the commercial market

does the nsi or ssaib get you much work , if im going to sign up for something which is 2 grand a year then i want at least ten grands worth of work out of them  otherwise it isnt really worth it

by ten grand i mean ten grand in my pocket

[james.wilson]

Then id look elsewhere mate. Neither NSI or SSAIB will give you guaranteed work. Its an inpectorate that checks what your doing complies install wise and equipment wise.

[sjsturner]

As james says its probably not for you right now. Once you have built up a decent work base it might be something to look at in the future, but it isnt going to line your pocket right now, infact it would be you lining someone elses

[MrHappy]

2k on paying a bloke to wander around with a sandwich board is as likely to produce 10k of commercial cctv work as paying 2k for badge.

 

Unless you've a well paying client who will move elsewhere if you don't get a badge I can't see any reason to get one.

[RichL]

As above, I dont think our badge has ever brought any CCTV work in - most of ours comes in on the back of intruder jobs (domestic and commercial).

 

 

2k on paying a bloke to wander around with a sandwich board is as likely to produce 10k of commercial cctv work as paying 2k for badge.

 

Or a hot chick walking around showing her badge

[PeterJames]

Being approved is all about doing the job properly rather than getting more work. The doing the job properly is what gets you more work not the approval

[Scotmod]

What's your background before you made the leap to self employment?

[Michael Hollands]

for the replies lads. My background is electrician then cctv installer then i spent a couple of years on alarms, I wasnt too sure what it quite meant being approved. The thing is there is no difference to how i install it than a company who is approved, im probably better as i actually care about the standard i want my firm to work to unlike a couple of lads on the cards who just want an easy 8-5. im probably a bit naive but i thought being rated would start bringing in the bigger jobs through insurance companies.