Introduction
Self-employment in the electrical installation trade can be one of the most rewarding career paths. You gain independence, choose your own projects, and develop skills that are always in demand. But it also comes with unique challenges—sometimes in the form of unreliable companies, late payments, and stressful working environments.
In this blog, I want to share a personal experience from May 2023, when I took on a short-term role with an electrical installation company in Hayes, London. The project quickly turned into a negative experience, and it took me months to receive payment.
Fortunately, that setback opened the door to something much better. Through a trusted connection—Kieran from Ascension Recruitment—I was able to land a role on a data center project in Slough for Arnold Mardix (a Flex company). That experience reminded me why I love my job and why strong professional networks are essential for self-employed contractors.
This story is about setbacks, lessons learned, and the pride of contributing to cutting-edge data center infrastructure.
A Rocky Start in Hayes
When I accepted a role in Hayes, I expected a straightforward week of electrical installation work. Instead, from day one, I felt uncomfortable.
- The management lacked professionalism.
- The site was disorganized with no clear safety briefings.
- Communication was poor and expectations were unclear.
By Friday (19–23 May), I had already made up my mind: I wouldn’t be returning the following week. It was a hard decision because, as a self-employed electrician, every day counts. But sometimes your gut instinct is the best guide.
Sadly, my suspicions were confirmed. It took four long months before I finally received payment for that week of work. The stress of chasing invoices is something every self-employed contractor dreads, and this experience was a stark reminder of the risks we face.
Late payments are one of the hardest challenges in self-employment.
The Reality of Self-Employment in Electrical Installation
Self-employment offers freedom, flexibility, and the chance to grow your skills on diverse projects. But it also comes with downsides, especially when working with smaller or less reliable companies.
Common challenges include:
- Late or missing payments
- Unclear contracts and expectations
- Unprofessional or unsafe work environments
- Constant need for networking and finding new jobs
Despite these risks, I wouldn’t trade self-employment for anything. The variety of projects and the sense of independence make it worthwhile. But experiences like the one in Hayes highlight why it’s so important to choose your clients carefully.
Finding Stability Through Trusted Networks
Since I had already booked and paid for my Airbnb in London, I needed to find another project quickly. That’s when I got in touch with Kieran from Ascension Recruitment.
Kieran understands the industry inside out. He values both professionalism and the human side of contracting. Unlike my Hayes experience, Kieran made sure everything was transparent:
- Clear project scope
- Defined payment terms
- Smooth onboarding process
- Reliable client: Arnold Mardix, a Flex company
Within days, I was placed on a data center project in Slough, installing substations, cabinets, bus bars, and backup batteries. The contrast could not have been greater.
Installing backup batteries for critical data center infrastructure.
Bus bars ensure efficient power distribution across data centers.
The Data Center Project in Slough
The Slough project was an eye-opening experience in professionalism and scale. Unlike the chaotic Hayes job, everything here was structured, safe, and well-managed.
Installing Substations
One of my main tasks was installing substations. In a data center, substations are essential—they transform high-voltage electricity into usable levels for different parts of the facility.
This required:
- Setting up switchgear to safely control distribution.
- Ensuring earthing systems were correctly installed.
- Coordinating with engineers to meet load requirements.
Done right, substations ensure that servers, cooling systems, and backup batteries always have stable power.
Data center substations form the heart of power distribution.
Bus Bars: Power Highways of the Data Center
Another critical responsibility was installing and testing bus bars. Instead of running hundreds of individual cables, bus bars act as power highways—efficiently delivering electricity across the facility.
- High-voltage bus bars carried current from substations to critical loads.
- Tap-off units fed power to rows of server racks.
- Modular design allowed the system to grow as demand increased.
Every connection had to be precise. Improper torque or alignment could create hotspots, risking catastrophic failure.
Bus bars distribute massive amounts of current safely and efficiently.
Testing Bus Bars and Equipment
After installation came the most important step: testing and commissioning.
- Insulation Resistance Testing (IR): Confirmed insulation could withstand high voltage.
- Continuity Testing: Checked all connections were solid.
- Thermal Imaging: Detected hotspots under simulated loads.
- Load Testing: Ensured systems performed reliably in real conditions.
Data centers cannot afford downtime. By thoroughly testing every bus bar, substation, and cable, we made sure the system was stable before going live.
Testing prevents failures that could cost millions in downtime.
Lessons From Data Center Work
Working in a data center environment taught me several important lessons:
- Precision is everything. Every bolt, every reading, every cable matters.
- Teamwork is essential. Electricians, engineers, IT specialists, and managers must work seamlessly together.
- Safety standards are elevated. With high-voltage systems, strict safety procedures protect everyone.
- The work is rewarding. Knowing that your installation supports global networks and businesses is a source of pride.
Precision installation keeps global digital infrastructure running.
A Mini-Guide to Electrical Work in Data Centers
For electricians considering this field, here’s what to expect:
Typical Tasks
- Installing substations, bus bars, and panels
- Running HV and LV cables
- Connecting UPS and backup batteries
- Testing and commissioning systems
- Ensuring compliance with IEC and BS standards
Required Skills
- Knowledge of high-voltage distribution
- Experience with cable termination and bus bars
- Ability to read technical drawings
- Competence in testing equipment like insulation testers and thermal cameras
Benefits of Data Center Projects
- High demand for skilled labor
- Competitive pay rates
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge infrastructure
- Pride in contributing to global connectivity
Data centers offer both technical challenges and rewarding opportunities.
Why Strong Recruitment Connections Matter
If Hayes showed me the risks of self-employment, Slough proved the value of having strong recruitment connections.
With Kieran at Ascension Recruitment:
- I had clear contracts and fair pay.
- I was placed in a professional environment.
- I could focus on the work without worrying about admin or chasing invoices.
For self-employed contractors, having someone in your corner who understands both your trade and your needs is invaluable.
Strong professional networks turn self-employment into a stable career.
Loving the Job Despite Challenges
Even with setbacks like the Hayes experience, I still love what I do.
- No two projects are the same.
- The technical challenges keep me learning.
- The work directly supports critical infrastructure.
Self-employment isn’t always easy—but when you find the right projects and the right people, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties.
Passion for the trade keeps everything moving forward.
Conclusion: From Setback to Success
My journey from Hayes to Slough is proof that not every opportunity is worth taking. Walking away from a toxic environment may feel risky, but it can lead to something much better.
In self-employment, you’ll encounter both unreliable companies and excellent ones. The key is to trust your instincts, learn from setbacks, and build strong networks.
Thanks to Kieran and Ascension Recruitment, I went from chasing invoices in Hayes to installing substations and bus bars in one of the UK’s most important data centers.
That’s the nature of self-employment: some weeks test your patience, others remind you why you love the job.
And for me, despite the challenges—I wouldn’t trade it for anything.