Heating Repair Job

We received a phone call today at 7am from an elderly customer, who was rather concerned that her electric overnight storage heating had not worked for two nights and that as you can imagine she was beginning to feel the effects of the cold with overnight tempertaures close to freezing.

Our diary for all the electricians was already full for the day but you know that feeling you get when you know you just need to do what you can to re-jig the diary and help this customer. So thats what we did and I managed myself to attend mid-morning and as you can see from the photo, people should never under estimate what electricity in the home can do when things go wrong and why its always a good idea to have an electrician periodically inspect the electrics in your property.

A loose connection within the main switch had went undetected for while which resulted in this nasty burning of the cable and switches, which as you can imagine could have led to a much worse situation.

Thankfully though less than two hours later we had fitted new parts and managed to get some heat back in the home of this elderly customer.

You know after these types of jobs you get a scense of a warm glow that you know that a job you have done had made someone happy and I suppose thats what makes it all worthwhile.

The AA

Let me start by saying that when my vehicle did breakdown on two occassions during my initial AA cover, the breakdown service went smoothly and I was certainly grateful for the recovery service they provided me at the time, but I do have a little gripe about The AA now.

If you don't require AA breakdown membership for your vehicle anymore then make sure you cancel the cover and don't suspend cover. Five years ago I had AA cover on my car and when I changed that car in 2005, I called The AA to say that I did not require the cover anymore as the new car I was purchasing would have breakdown cover as part of the agreement.

Well seemingly I did not cancel my AA cover I only suspended it for 3 years. Years on I am supposed to remember this, so much to my surprise I have just received a letter and full membership pack with new membership card etc saying that my cover has been reactivated.

So without warning and checking with me first they have reactivated my old membership cover, so not only is the membership pack addressed to my old home and registered to a car I no longer have, the annoying part is they say money will be debited from my bank account within the next two weeks.

How can they justify reactivating a membership, even if I did only ask for it to be suspended as this is what they are saying to me now that I have complained to them, without getting in touch to see if a) I still lived at the address they have on file, b) do I still have the vehicle the membership is set to cover and c) is my payment method still valid.

If ever there were a waste of money, paper and other costs then this must rank up there.

Obviously when I telephoned up to complain and make sure they cancel the newly re-activated membership and make sure no payment is debited, I get told its all my fault for only suspending membership for a number of years and that I am supposed to keep them up to date with change of address and change of vehicle etc.

Yes like I am going to remember to do that when I know I don't have AA cover for any of my current vehicles.

So remember if you no longer require AA cover and you don't want to be surprised in a few years time, make sure you cancel the membership and not just suspend it, or further down the line in a number of years, you can look forward to receiving a shiny new membership pack with probably out of date details and an unexpected expense about to be debited from your bank account. And thats not taking into account the time you will have to spend getting in touch with them, which took me two phone calls for nearly 30 minutes to eventually cancel this reactivated membership.

Apprentice Story in the Press - cont...

Our press release regarding one of our apprentices Murray Smith receiving the Apprentice Of The Year Award for Clackmannan College has been printed in Stirling's biggest newspaper.

The article which appeared in the Stirling Observer Newspaper is below.

Hospice Dinner

I attended a very enjoyable Sportsman's Dinner on Friday evening at Glenbervie House Hotel, which is situated in the outskirts of Larbert, Stirlingshire.

The evening of dinner and laughter had a very serious note to the event as it was a fundraising event for Strathcarron Hospice - The hospice gives free specialist care to patients with active progressive illness and also provides support for patients families.

Annual running costs total £4.3 million and although partially funded by local NHS boards the hospice has to raise the remainder of its costs through fundraising and donations. This means the hospice has to raise £45,000 every week of every year to maintain the level of service it currently provides to patients and families from all over Forth Valley.

Sportman's dinners are one way the hospice can raise funds and in doing so it involves local businesses and celebrities in as a i say a night of "dinner and laughter", but there are many other way's people and businesses can become involved in fundraising events and even donating without talking part in an event.

Further details of this hospice and the excellent services it provides as well as details in how you can help by fundraising and donations can be found on the Strathcarron Hospice Website.

Apprentice Story in the Press

Our press release last week about one of our apprentices Murray Smith being awarded Aprentice of the Year for second stage electrical work at Clackmannan College has been printed in various local newspapers. Below are some of the articles in the press.

Wee County News
Alloa Advertiser

Apprentice Wins Award

Press Release:-

LOCAL ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE WINS AWARD

An apprentice with Fallin-based electrical contractor Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. has won the Apprentice Of The Year award, following in the footsteps of company director, Scott McLean.

Murray Smith from Alva has been awarded the Apprentice Of The Year award for 2^nd year electrical apprentice work at Clackmannan College by electrical training organisation, the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT).

The award for Murray follows a similar award to Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. owner Scott McLean in 1993 when he was awarded 1^st year electrical Apprentice of the Year for Central, Fife and Perthshire Areas by SECTT.

Murray was presented with his award at a recent awards event in Perth and speaking afterwards, owner Scott McLean said “This is a fantastic achievement for Murray and is justified recognition for the dedication and hard work he has put in over the past two years. Murray has now set a good base for his future training and opportunities for development within the company over the coming years.

Having benefited from a good apprenticeship myself, I understand the importance an employer can play in the development and training of apprentices and how apprentices play an important role in the development and shaping of a company. Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. has grown steadily over the past twelve years, and I believe that this award is not only recognition for Murray but also to our other electricians and apprentices who have all played a part in the growth of the company.”

----------------------------------------------------

For further information please contact:-

Scott McLean
Director

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd., 12 Queen Street, Fallin, Stirlingshire, FK7 7JG

Tel:- 01786 813916
Email:- info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk
Website:- www.stirlingelectrical.co.uk

Note to editors:-

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. undertakes electrical installation, maintenance and testing work throughout Scotland.

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. was established in 1996 and now employ seven people working from our Fallin based office and store premises.

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd owner and director is Scott McLean.

Scott McLean is also co-owner and co-director of Stirling based taxi company Albion Taxis Ltd.

House For Rent in Stirling

Our previous home in the heart of Stirling is now available to rent.

To view the 3 bedroom semi-detached house and contact the agents Clyde Letting click here.

Appliance Testing For Students

It's that time of year when Students are heading to university and like previous years we will once again be offering our Portable Appliance Testing (PAT Testing) service at discounted rates to Students heading to The University of Stirling.

All electrical appliances students take with them into their new residence at Stirling are required to be checked that they are are safe to be used and this is where we come in.

If you are a student heading to our City over the next few weeks and require Pat Testing carried out please click on the image above.

Need To Blog More

Was it really June that I last posted on this blog. It's about time I got more disciplined and posted more reguarly.

House for Sale - Stirling

Fancy staying only a five minute walk from Stirling city centre in a modern three bedroom semi-detached villa with conservatory. Our house is on the market at offers over £145,000 and can be viewed through the selling agent Clyde Property.

Electrician Required

Due to continual expansion we require to employ another fully qualified electrician.
A summary of the vacancy is posted below, so if your interested in joining our team of electricians and apprentices, then forward us your CV and we could be in touch with you.

Vacancy - Electrician
Location
FALLIN,STIRLING,STIRLINGSHIRE
Hours
Minimum 37.5 HOURS PER WEEK, MONDAY - FRIDAY, 8.00AM-4.30PM. Overtime available on occasions.
Wage
£11.50 - £12.75 depending on experience.
Work Pattern
Week Days with occasional overtime in evenings and at weekend
Employer
Stirling Electrical ServicesLtd.
Pension
Not presently
Duration
PERMANENT ONLY

Description
Electrician required for installation, maintenance and testing work in domestic, commercial and light industrial premises located mostly in Central Scotland but on occasions throughout Scotland.
Applicant must be fully qualified to current edition of BS7671 and time served with valid SJIB card.
Inspection and Testing experience is essential with 2391 city and guilds qualification required.
Applicant must also have good fault finding skills.
Portable Appliance Testing experience preferred.
Applicant must have clean full driving licence.

How to apply
You can apply for this job by sending a CV/written application to
Scott McLean at Stirling Electrical Services Ltd, 12 Queen Street, Fallin, Stirling, Stirlingshire, FK7 7JG.
or email info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk

Initial Electrical Fault Finding Tips

If something goes amiss with your plugs, lights or sockets then follow the advice given by The Electrical Safety Council on THIS PAGE.

If these initial checks do not solve your problem then you will need our help - our fully competent fault finding team at Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. are always on hand to help.

To contact us visit our website at www.stirlingelectrical.co.uk or call 01786 813916.

Electrical Safety Advice - Top Tips For Garden Safety

Over the past few weeks Stirling Electrical Services Ltd in conjunction with The Electrical Safety Council have been linking to various Electrical Safety Leaflets to help with advice on using electricity safely.

Today's advice is titled TOP TIPS FOR GARDEN SAFETY and contains some excellent advice.

If you would like to discuss the contents of the leaflet with Stirling Electrical Services Ltd we would be delighted to offer our advice on the subject. To do so email us at info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk or call 01786 813916.

CLICK TO VIEW THE ADVICE PAGE - Top Tips For Garden Safety

Building Warrant Work in Scotland

In May 2005, a new system was brought in to enforce the Building Regulations in Scotland.
It aims to improve the standard of building work. The new system includes rules for electrical installations, which has been controlled by the Building Regulations for many years.

Under the new system, any electrical work carried out under a building warrant (the legal permission you need from the local authority to start building work) will either have to be approved by a registered installer (known formally as an ‘approved certifier’) or be checked by the local authority. What is the building standards system in Scotland?

Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. are an Approved Body and employ Approved Certifiers - full information on the service we provide for Building Warrant Work can be found on our website

You can find full details about the building standards system in Scotland on the Scottish Building Standards website at www.sbsa.gov.uk.

For even more information you can download this excellent leaflet by The Electrical Safety Council on the Building Standards in Scotland.

Electrical Safety Advice - Using Electricity Abroad

Over the next few weeks Stirling Electrical Services Ltd in conjunction with The Electrical Safety Council will be linking to various Electrical Safety Leaflets to help with advice on using electricity safely.

Today's safety leaflet is titled USING ELECTRICITY SAFELY WHILE ABROAD and contains some excellent advice.

If you would like to discuss the contents of the leaflet with Stirling Electrical Services Ltd we would be delighted to offer our advice on the subject. To do so email us at info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk or call 01786 813916.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LEAFLET - Using Electricity Safely While Abroad

You may need to download PDF viewing software such as Adobe Reader

Electrical Safety Advice - Guide to Fire Safety in Home

Over the next few weeks Stirling Electrical Services Ltd in conjunction with The Electrical Safety Council will be linking to various Electrical Safety Leaflets to help with advice on using electricity safely.

Today's safety leaflet is titled ELECTRICITY IN THE HOME - GUIDE TO FIRE SAFETY and contains some excellent advice.

If you would like to discuss the contents of the leaflet with Stirling Electrical Services Ltd we would be delighted to offer our advice on the subject. To do so email us at info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk or call 01786 813916.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LEAFLET - Electricity In The Home - Guide To Fire Safety

You may need to download PDF viewing software such as Adobe Reader

The Season Is Over

The 2007/2008 football season for Stirling Albion is now over in what has been a frustrating season in The Scottish League Division One.

Relegation back into Division Two was confirmed more than two weeks ago and we now have a three month wait until the new competitive season starts in late July.

In the meantime The Stirling Albion Official Website will update fans with all the latest news in the close season.

Electrical Safety Advice - How Safe Is Your Home?

Over the next few weeks Stirling Electrical Services Ltd in conjunction with The Electrical Safety Council will be linking to various Electrical Safety Leaflets to help with advice on using electricity safely.

Today's safety leaflet is titled SO YOU THINK YOUR HOME IS SAFE? and contains some excellent advice.

If you would like to discuss the contents of the leaflet with Stirling Electrical Services Ltd we would be delighted to offer our advice on the subject. To do so email us at info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk or call 01786 813916.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LEAFLET - So You Think Your Home Is Safe?

You may need to download PDF viewing software such as Adobe Reader

We Recommend - Appliance Repairs

If you require repairs to household appliances such as washing machines, tumble driers, fridges then Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. recommend you contact A1 Appliances* on 01786 464748.

If you have problems with your cooker, then give us a call on 01786 813916.


*Other trades/businesses recommended by us have no financial or other partnerships with us and we cannot be held responsible for any problems resulting from recommendations.

Rogue Trades- What About Some Rogue Customers?

Heres another news item on Cowboy Rogue Builders - this time by The BBC.

I'm not disputing there are rogue tradespersons and companies out there, and I'm not disputing the gentleman in the BBC video but do you think The BBC or programmes like House of Horrors or Rogue Traders will ever produce a news feature or a tv episode on Rogue Customers.

Maybe if I show these tv companies our Bad Debtors list where we have carried out work and the person we have worked for disappears into thin air before settling their invoice, we could be first on a new tv show called - Hunt Down The Rogue Customers.

There are many excellent reputable tradespersons and companies out in the so called big bad world, just the same as there are many excellent trustworthy customers only too happy to pay for services carried out, its just a pity tv companies don't highlight the few rogue customers the same way they highlight the few rogue tradepersons, instead of tarnishing all companies involved in trade work with the same brush.

Electrical Safety Advice - Using Equipment Outdoors

Over the next few weeks Stirling Electrical Services Ltd in conjunction with The Electrical Safety Council will be linking to various Electrical Safety Leaflets to help with advice on using electricity safely.

Today's safety leaflet is titled Using Electrical Equipment Outdoors and contains some excellent advice.

If you would like to discuss the contents of the leaflet with Stirling Electrical Services Ltd we would be delighted to offer our advice on the subject. To do so email us at info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk or call 01786 813916.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD LEAFLET - Using Electrical Equipment Outdoors

You may need to download PDF viewing software such as Adobe Reader

Home Videos of DIY Disasters

Always call or seek the advice of experts in whatever building work needs done - DIY can be dangerous and as you can see from the video it can also hurt

PAT Testing

We do lots of PAT Testing, all over Scotland, but we'd love to do more.

We do PAT Testing for landlords, housing companies, nursery schools, factories, tourist centres, restaurants, letting agents, owners of flats that are rented, mobile discos, in fact any workplace, business or public place, where owners must ensure their electrical appliances are maintained in a good safe working order.

We'd love to offer our PAT Testing service to you and your business. We believe our service is very competitive and also provides a service in which we constantly review our prices and technical service that we provide to clients.

So if you need PAT Testing done ? - then give us a call on 01786 813916, email us at info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk or visit the PAT Testing section of our popular website at www.stirlingelectrical.co.uk

Stirling Albion FC Official Website

Im also involved in the Stirling Albion Football Club Official Website.

To visit the website please click this link.

Poor Stirling Are Relegated

Its been nearly a week since the inevitable happened, Stirling Albion were relegated from The Scottish League Division One. To be truthful its been on the cards for a couple of months, but nonetheless it still hurts when it becomes a reality.

So our status as the Yo Yo team of Scottish Football is continually confirmed and its back to Division Two football, where in truth thats the level the club deserve to be, as our lack of ambition off the field doesn't merit a higher place in Scottish Football.

Theres only two matches to go this season, before a three month break and then the competitive matches begin again and if its anything like our last season in Division Two its sure to be an exciting season - I'm not certain though if we will enjoy that same success. Time will tell though.

Lightning Strikes

This Sunday was spent unexpectedly working at one of our main clients premises in the Trossachs. Late Friday afternoon various parts of their premises was struck by five strikes of lightning resulting in loss of power.

Just as work finished on Friday having received a telephone call from site, I managed to determine by phone that the loss of power was external to our clients site and the next 24 hours, saw the electrical power company install new transformers and cables throughout the Trossachs to restore power to various areas of the Trossachs.

Unfortunately power being restored on Saturday only brought to attention a multitude of other problems. There was no live telephone lines on isdn, analogue or broadband lines - the internal nortel telephone exchange system was fried, various parts of the security alarm system were affected and alarms were going off everywhere, cctv cameras were down and the internal computer server and network was all over the place - what a mess.

Thankfully during Sunday the alarm and cctv problems were on their way to being rectified and are now back up running. The computer system was 90% back to normal by end of day Sunday, but there was no way BT engineers were going to get out their bed on The Sabbath Day, meaning BT would not start investigating the dead lines until the start of the week.

The thing is, these thunderstorms must have been isolated to a very small area, as 25 miles away in Stirling and even only 10 miles away from our clients site, there was not a hint or any indication of what was happening over our clients site.

Hello Aprille

I can confirm that we have appointed a new Office Manager.

Aprille Mitchell will begin her employment with Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. next week.

Aprille brings to the company a wealth of experience and will be in control of all our office duties including customer relationships and job scheduling.

We are all excited about the appointment and are looking forward to the work planned to progress the company in the coming months and years.

Clients telephoning us will have been used to the energetic voice of Maureen over the last few years but don't worry Mo will still be around, as she will be slotting back into her old role working in our Taxi business. Maureen has been a star over the past few years, juggling a number of roles within the two businesses and has played a big part in moving the electrical business forward.

I'll bring you more news on the progress of the development of our office structure in the coming months.

SELECT INSPECTION

We recently had our routine Technical Inspection by our electrical trade organisation SELECT and I am delighted to announce that we passed and can continue to work under the umbrella of SELECT.

SELECT Members are recognised and respected for the safety, quality and technical excellence of their work and as a company we are proud of our membership of SELECT, which we believe gives our clients and prospective clients reassurance that our company strive to deliver an excellent standard of electrical work.

We believe the standard of electrical work we undertake must be coupled with providing a high standard of customer service, which must be consistent throughout our relationship with clients.

Where Does The Time Go

Was it really mid-February I last posted - where does the time go. I better get back to posting regularly before I forgot how to.

Isle of Mull Photos

I travel to the Isle of Mull, Western Scotland, a number of times throughout the year. I was on Mull again last week working for a couple of days and I took advantage of the lovely February weather and took some photos.

Click here to see the photos.

Operations/Admin Co-Ordinator Required

We are looking to fill the below important position within the company

* OPERATIONS/ADMIN CO-ORDINATOR

Location
FALLIN,STIRLING,STIRLINGSHIRE
Hours
37.5 HOURS PER WEEK, MONDAY - FRIDAY, 9.00AM-5.00PM
Wage
£15,000-£17,500 PER ANNUM DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE
Work Pattern
Week Days
Employer
Stirling Electrical Services
Pension
Not presently
Duration
PERMANENT ONLY

Description
Essential requirements are of a similar working experience in a service industry company and previous production/Job scheduling experience. You must be able to deal with Customers and build client relationships, have a highly competent level of IT literacy (Word & Excel in particular) and an excellent telephone manner. Financial or stock control experience is desirable. Training will be given on our job scheduling software. Duties include maintaining and updating company procedures, scheduling electrical jobs and trades people's time allocation, administration of job details and management of diaries, invoicing and credit control duties, reports management and forecasting, dealing with wholesalers, ordering stock and materials and dealing with customers.

CV by post or email. The email address is: finance@stirlingelectricalservices.co.uk

How to apply
You can apply for this job by sending a CV/written application to Scott McLean at Stirling Electrical Services, 12 Queen Street, Fallin, Stirling, Stirlingshire, FK7 7JG.

or email finance@stirlingelectricalservices.co.uk

Kentallen, Lochaber

Well our two day break to celebrate my Birthday in Kentallen, Lochaber is over with already. Kentallen is situated on the shore of Loch Linnhe, south west of Ballachulish near Glencoe on the road to Oban.

As I posted last week we stayed at he Hollytree Hotel and Leisure Club and we had a fabulous time just chilling out in the swimming pool enjoying excellent fine dining in their seafood restaurant.

We read mixed reviews on Tripadvisor about this hotel, but to be fair most of the bad reviews were from when they were carrying out renovation and extension work at the hotel last summer, but I can thoroughly recommend this hotel, especially at this time of year as a short break.
Photos of our short break can be found here...

Booking Accommodation

Im heading away over the next few days for some relaxing time away in the Scottish Highland's to celebrate my Birthday, so its over to Maureen and Co. to keep the wheels turning back in Stirling. Work takes us to the Scottish Highlands and Islands throughout the year, so as Im heading that way again, I get the feeling I must like that particular part of the World.

We are heading to The Holly Tree Hotel and Leisure Club in Kentallen - I'll review the hotel when we return.

It took me only a few minutes today to book this hotel, but try booking a accommodation in Aberdeen. It took me nearly two hours today to find a Premier Inn/Travellodge type of place that had vacancies for two of our electricians tonight.

PS - I've been told to leave work at home over the next few days, but Im planning to sneak our new Electrical Wiring Regulations book into my luggage - do you think that will go down well with the wife!!!!

Changing a Light Fitting

Changing a light fitting is the sort of job that a DIYer would expect to do very easy, but on many occasions it isn't. The DIYer might expect to see three wires - live, neutral and earth. But most of the time they will see a whole lot more wires than that.

Depending on how your lighting circuit is wired your light fitting can double as a junction box, so you have one cable coming into the light from the previous light in the circuit, then a cable going down to the switch and back, and then a third cable running off to the next light fitting.

Many DIYer's attempt to change a light fitting themselves and often the wiring is as above, and they fail to take note of where the wires are terminated in their existing light fitting before they take it down or fail to understand the wiring altogether. This usually results in two problems, 1- the DIYer puts all the same colours of wires together and when they put the electricity back on - it goes bang and blows the fuse or trips the circuit breaker, or 2- again the wires are connected wrongly, but this time there is no bang, but lights in adjacent rooms do not work.

At this point this is where we normally receive a phone call and are called to rectify the problem and do so usually within a matter of minutes. I am not the biggest fan of DIYer's carrying out electrical work but taking two minutes to take note of where the wires go in the existing light fitting can save a lot of problems when installing new light fittings. If DIYer's take note of the wires and are still not sure of the theory behind where the wires should go in the new light fitting please do not attempt to guess, as this can be very dangerous and can damage your new light fitting, not forgetting damaging themselves. It usually takes only a few minutes for us to install new replacement light fittings and usually at a cost much less than your new light fitting.

Do not take any chances if you are not sure.

Photo Updates

January is nearly over and 2008 is already one month down. This time of year is always very busy for us at Stirling Electrical Services Ltd. and I have not had much time to blog. I'm determined to find time in our busy schedule to post on here so look out for more posts in February.

Until the next post here are a couple of links to photos.

The first link is from my New Year trip to Isle of Bute with my wife Jennie, where we stayed at St Blanes Hotel, Kilchattan Bay. click to view photos

And one of the many jobs in January was to carry out the electrical, networking and audio visual work in converting a foyer space at the Falkirk Wheel into an Information Centre - click for a few photos of our work

Vacancy - Electrician

Due to further expansion an Electrician is required for installation, maintenance and testing work in domestic, commercial and light industrial premises mostly in Central Scotland but on occasions throughout Scotland. Applicant must be fully qualified to BS7671 and time served with valid SJIB card. Inspection and Testing experience required preferably with 2391 qualification along with good fault finding skills. Applicant must have clean full driving license.

Minimum 37.5 hours per week over 5 days - rate of pay £11.48 - £12.50 per hour depending on experience.

You can apply for this job by sending a CV/written application to Scott McLean at Stirling Electrical Services Ltd, 12 Queen Street, Fallin, Stirlingshire, FK7 7JG or by email to info@stirlingelectrical.co.uk or by fax to 01786 811447.

We're All Back

Technically today is our first official working day of 2008, so it would be remiss of me not to wish you all a Happy New Year and wish you all the best for the coming year.

I say today is our first official working day as its today when we are back to a full workforce after most of the team arrive back at work since the festive break. For two of us though and that includes myself, we have been working over the break, either on stand by or on designated working days within the break.

So it was good to be back to a full workforce today and any hopes that we would be eased back in gently were wishful thinking as its been a hectic day with many jobs and enquiries coming in thick and fast - infact it seems as if everyone had their phones on a timer and scheduled to call us today - but would and we have it any other way? - of course we wouldn't.

Its good to be back, so if you've been putting off that little electrical job, well now is the time to call us.

Happy New Year

So yes its good to be back and