Electrics

JANELUVI

Hi, I also have the old rubber wiring and old stle fuse wire consumer unit, never had a problem with the electrics but when I had a new kitchen fitted recently the electrician freaked out and said I must have an urgent rewire. His quote was ridiculous so am using two guys my boss uses so it will all be done to current regulations and certified, starts this weekend,(thinks where can I go for the next ten days!!)

They are charging £1600 to fit new consumer unit, rewire all lighting and power points + about 4 extra points, re-wire shower, immersion heater, central heating timer, fit new spotlights in kitchen, and two outside lights which I think is a good price + as someone else has said it's the peace of mind I'm looking forward to, shut my mother up telling me my place will burn down!!! Plus if i want to sell in the future I've got the certificate to pass on.

baldelectrician

How are you going to get it certified?

There are 2 routes;

1. Notify building control, pay fee and they provide certificate

2. Use a compotent person from the list

[the above applies to England and Wales]

You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals registered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchCo.asp?T=Construction&ID=2
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

helping_hubby

Update: we've booked an electrician. £1625. We made a decision and stuck to it. I feel happier knowing it's being done properly and the house will be safe and we can get on with other diy bits in the mean time.

andrew-b

Is that with the 9 sockets still? Didn't really trigger in my mind when i read it before but it doesn't sound like many to me for a house of your size - or was that additional sockets to what you already have?

We live in a 2-bed bungalow and have 4 double sockets and 3 singles, fused spur for boiler, fused spur for cooker hood plus cooker point in the kitchen alone! Lounge has 4 doubles (which isnt enough though they aren't all really in the places we want them - we've got a 6 way extension lead for the tv/hifi/games consoles etc). Spare room has 3 doubles and bedroom 2 doubles (spare room was previous owners bedroom - we swapped usage about). We still sometime find it hard to find one available for vacuum cleaner etc! I wouldn't say we use particularly much electricity either ...£31 a month direct debit at the moment.
One place we really need a socket that doesnt have it is in the hall but i have plans to add one when we get round to renovating that room.

You'll be in a big mess anyway so won't make much difference a bit more - though the price will obviously be higher! I think you might regret it if you don't consider more sockets. The electrician might not like you messing them about so i'd be very apologetic if you do decide to have more sockets!

Also i'd find out, if you havent already, what make of fittings will be installed ..i'd specify a decent make like Crabtree or MK is i were you.

Hope that helps

Andy

helping_hubby

Thanks Andy, we're having to provide chrome sockets (got them already - only 2 sockets and 1 light switch) and the others are white supplied by him. I didn't ask what make they would be though.

the 9 sockets are some additionals and some doubled. There are already existing sockets that are doubled. We're not doing the kitchen at all.

In total we (will) have 1 double in the small room. 2 doubles in our bedroom, 3 doubles in the spare room. 4 doubles in the living room/dining room. 1 double in the hallway.

The kitchen is being completely redone when we come into some money which will be next year hopefully (relies on the sale of a house...so could take a while). We thought about getting the sockets done, but we've really not thought much about the design and will get it all done in one go then.

One thing that's bothering me is how to deal with time off. The electrician reckons 5 days, and I won't be able to work from home as he'll be diconnecting the electric. I am right in thinking I really need to be there when he's there? I don't like the thought of leaving a stranger in my house.

jackieb

I got my bill in, and it was for £419. I'm very happy with that. We got a new fusebox, 4 new double sockets, put in a new light switch and repaired some dodgy wiring and bare wires, and fixed a cupboard light.

We're getting a new kitchen fitted in September, and the surveyor who came up had to check our fusebox, as the kitchen has to be isolated now due to new regs. We don't have to get that in because our new fusebox is fine. He said that he'd been to a house that only had a month old fusebox and it wasn't up to the new regs that came in on the 1st of July.

baldelectrician

helping_hubby wrote: »

Update: we've booked an electrician. £1625. We made a decision and stuck to it. I feel happier knowing it's being done properly and the house will be safe and we can get on with other diy bits in the mean time.

Make sure the electrician is registererd and tha paperwork (certificates) are included in the price

helping_hubby

baldelectrician wrote: »

Make sure the electrician is registererd and tha paperwork (certificates) are included in the price

Thank you, yes I checked a website someone posted on here and he's listed. Certificate also included in price. Thanks.

//edit
He's on that competent person website you posted above!