Good post and welcome to plumbers.co.nz Bubblez! 

This is something all plumbers and gasfitters need to be very conscious of. The apprentice may have done this work many times or never before, but it is when something goes wrong as it is bound to from time to time, that the consequences are serious.

They could have lost their licence or injury or even death could have occured. We don't know the full details of course but it only takes one mistake and your Public Liability Cover is not going to apply if you have done something you are not qualified to do or have done something illegal.

Always, always, always call in an electrician.  This is a legitimate cost to the customer - who are we really doing the favour for if we try and do someone else's job/trade.  We work in closely with an electrical company and use them for everything electrical, despite some of our guys having limited electrical tickets.  The customer is informed an electrician is required and that we can organise it, and then it is added to our bill.  In the case of quotes we again always use a registered electrician for prescribed electrical work.  Many on these forums moan about unlicensed people doing our work - well we are no different if we try and do work that the sparky should.  I don't know the guy mentioned in this story, but it is interesting he got the apprentice to do it and didn't do it himself.  Maybe he figured the apprentice was more expendable.   It's just not a good look for plumbers and gasfitters to be trying to do the sparky's job!

I may be wrong but as far as I'm aware, an owner can change the element themselves if they wish. I recommend they call an electrician to do so when I receive inquiries about this, purely because of the risk that someone will do it wrong and electrocute themselves or short something out. 

I find having this licence very handy , I make sure I stay within my limits though , and always call an electrician when the wiring looks suspect , the course is expensive to do , but you learn a lot of interesting stuff, I am able to check to see if it is the element  or thermostat rather than just replace these through ignorance ,

Why not make a bit extra from the job if you can , and qualified to , the customer is happy if they can deal with one trades person

I find having this licence very handy , I make sure I stay within my limits though , and always call an electrician when the wiring looks suspect , the course is expensive to do , but you learn a lot of interesting stuff, I am able to check to see if it is the element  or thermostat rather than just replace these through ignorance ,

Why not make a bit extra from the job if you can , and qualified to , the customer is happy if they can deal with one trades person

That's a valid point. Customers like to keep things simple and if they can deal with one person who will sort everything out for them they're much happier. The limited electrical licence can be helpful, though I know plumbers who have an arrangement with an electrician who charges them a discounted service and the plumber simply adds the cost onto their bill as an item charge.

hi guys/ed, i don`t think this guy has a licence!

You mean the limited electrical? Probably not and obviously definitely not a full electrical. Doesn't matter who he is or how rich, both his Plumbing Licence and his Public Liability Insurance can be invalidated for these breaches.

Tradesmen need to consider the consequences if something goes wrong ahead of the convenience or cost of taking shortcuts. Customers can sometimes put pressure on as far as time goes, and I feel sorry for apprentices who may be intimidated by their bosses to do work they know they shouldn't.

hi guys, i know sparkies that replace the elements after draining the cylinder. myself i don`t mind turning the power off,and diconnecting the wires to the element then after replacing the element i get a sparkie to re-connect, does anyone think that this method is wrong? please let me know,cheers