Is This House rewire Quote genuine??

tony58_3

Hi GUys we are in the middle of major home improvements.

i have just been quoted, £1600, with certificates for a whole rewire for the house.
its a 3 bedroom with one living room

4 double sockets in the living room, with 2 sidelights and ceiling lights, plus switches
4 double sockets each in each of the 2 bedrooms, with a light each, plus switches,
in one of the bedrooms, its just 2 double sockets with 1light, [plus switch.
1 light in the landing with switch, plus double socket.
1 light with switch and double socket in the hall.
also ethernet socket with cable (CAT5) in living room and a bedroom
A new Consumer unint.

ALL SOCKETS AND SWITCHES ARE WHITE, NOT CHROME ETC.

i find this guy quite cheap, though it maybe cos he dont have much work at the moment, as i only got the quote on friday and he is willing to start the work this wednesday.

However i'm also wondering is he maybe using not good stock?? i dont know anything about electrics. is there any such thing as cheap wires?? maybe he will not be using quality wiring that maybe not last me long?

what questions can i ask him, withouth sounding stupid??

such as what type of wiring he is going to use?
maybe what sort of covering is he going to use to hide wires in the walls??
maybe any questions about the consumer unit?

any tips and hints welcome

thanks in advance.

tony58_3

oh and i am in the leicestershire (East Midlands) area, sure prices vary across the country.

iamcornholio

I think it very unlikley that the electrician would (or even could) use anything that is not BS/EN approved.

Yes he may use fittings from budget end of the market (Wylex make comes to mind), but cable will be stamped to the normal standard and everything should be serviceable.

If he is registered and is certified to "Part P" of the building regulations, then you should have no probelms, as he should do things inherently to the required standard. Obviously if he is not a qualified electrician, then you could expect things to be done badly

Think about if you need a bigger consumer unit for extra future capacity and if you need more sockets etc.

I tend to find that electicians are generally Ok at the actual installation, but not so good at the subsequent making good

Ask him about making good to walls and flooring - will split floorboards be replaced if necessary, and how will plastered walls be left if they are to be disturbed for the new cables

It seems like a reasonable quote, and not so cheap as to be a concern

keystone

iamcornholio wrote: »

Obviously if he is not a qualified electrician, then you could expect things to be done badly

and illegally - you shouldn't be using him. Whats his accreditation body, is he Edn 17 Qualified and is he able to self certify for bldg regs?

I tend to find that electicians are generally Ok at the actual installation, but not so good at the subsequent making good

In my experience they are pants at that and usually specifically exclude it or try and avoid it!

Cheers

baldelectrician

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/Sear...struction&ID=2
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

A few things spring to mind

• Does the quote include mains powered smoke detectors (if not why not)?
• Have you checked this person on the compotent persons register?
• What make of consumer unit is he using? (MK, Hager = good, Wylex Control Gear / Chint less good)
• Does the quote include outside lights?
• What make of acessories is he using? (MK, GET ok. Crabtree, Volex not as good)?

Wouldn't worry about the plastering- you are employing an electricain, not a plasterer. I am presuming you are getting a plasterer in anyway.

Hope this helps

molit

if the guy is a one man band he might be under the vat threshold, which autromtaiclly makes his quotes quite a bit cheaper

tony58_3

Thanks for all the replies guys,

i called 2 others, there quote was £2k, £2.6k, for the same job. so i am going use him.

however i want to make sure i get the best out of him, so wanna make sure he uses quality wiring, the guy charging me £2.6k said he will be using pirelli (i'm sure that was the word) cable, which he is said is top quality wiring, is that correct??? if so i can tell the other guy to use same wire, unless he already wasnt.

and thanks baldelectrician, for ur reply, i will tell him to use MK consumer unit, considering it is the best make?

so guys just to sum it up

i am going to tell him to use
Pirelli wires,
and Mk consumer unit

unless there is any better??

suisidevw

And then the price will probably be more because the quote was for more 'basic' wiring possibly>?!