Whelan Electrical

03/09/2026

Is it any wonder no one wants to take people on when you have to deal with HMRC.
We have been on hold for over three hours over four attempted calls.
We have received PAYE reference numbers for our apprentice but can't set up a employer account trying to find out why, and twice after 40 minutes (even thought the auto bot says average 10 minute wait), the line has gone dead.
We are a sole trader one man (two now) firm.
Our apprentice has a place at a training firm and it needs funded by accessing HMRC but we can't set up our account to enable this to happen.
No wonder firms are paying cash and not bothering training or informing HMRC.
The fact they are only open 9-6 just adds to the issue so while on hold we can't work. But they can't work while the sole traders are back from work and dealing with paperwork.
Now it has dropped out after 30 minutes (17:30) AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

27/08/2026

Carrying out an EICR on an apartment in Carlisle today.
The owner has reported the heating and hot water not working (it's all electric), so it's 22 in the property and we have had to put the heating on to test it. Had to open the windows so we don't pass out.
But it all looks okay so far.

23/08/2026

We would like to apologise for not getting back to everyone who called and messaged us last week.
We went to Spain to visit the family we usually visit in Devon, they went to celebrate Tony's birthday.
For the last 8 months we have kept it a secret from all of his family and the screaming and shouting at our arrival I'm impressed the police weren't called.
But that was last week and we have already been out catching up with call outs and jobs that needed sorted for Monday.
If you have left a message hopefully we will get back to you in the next 72 hours.
A lovely time away even bumped into some other People from Carlisle (Gordon and friends).
Back to a manic week of work and paperwork.

15/08/2026

Unfortunately the crew have just had to deal with a large grass fire on the riverbank, behind the Pirelli Factory- caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette.

Please please please, be more careful. This had the potential to be a much larger fire.

Do not use naked flames, have camp fires, or use disposable barbecues when the ground is so dry, and be responsible disposing of ci******es.

Thanks to the young gentleman for alerting the emergency services and giving such a precise location, so the crew could deal with the incident quickly before it had chance to spread.

12/08/2026

**** Massive thank you to the lad from the AA who turned out to us and efficiently found the two faults. He's done a temporary repair for us. So we're back mobile and back in Carlisle. The van still needs a permanent repair which hopefully Appletons will get done soon. Until then we have to take it easy with the old van ****

Well after a hot one testing flats in Penrith the old van has decided it is too hot to run and won't go. Pulled over for a temp guage going through the roof, topped up the water and it won't restart.
Contacted AA who we pay a lot of money to as the van is commercial and there ETA is currently 17:00
At least we pulled up in a shaded part of the road (currently).
This will mean a reduced service for a period of time if they can't fix it at the side of the road.
But these things are sent to try us.
The views on the A6 are stunning in this sunshine.
While I have the laptop might as well get some more invoices out while we wait.
Every cloud and all that rubbish we all say 🤣🤣

08/08/2026

07/08/2026

Reversing up a customers drive this morning and looking across the Solway spotted Chapelcross.
40 years ago this month I started there as an Electrical Apprentice
10 and a half happy years over there. Which included attending Dumfries and Galloway College for 4 years to finish up with a HNC.
Due to the difference in school starting dates I was only 15 when I started. The advance of being the youngest in the school year.
The down side to being nostalgic is realising I'm 40years in the trade this Month, a Power Station, two Factories, Railway and now my 18th year self employed.

05/08/2026

01/08/2026

Was accessing a loft on a job earlier in the week and found this joint box without the cover on.
It's next to the loft hatch so someone could put their hand on it trying to climb in.
The eagle eyed amongst you will already have noticed the neutral cable that's not even connected and the lack of a screw to hold all the neutral connections together.
Also no earth's as they have been cut off or left flapping in the wind (as the saying goes).
Thankfully we have the power off at this property so we were safe to get access.
Repairs to be carried out as renovating is happening at the property already thankfully.