lighting job turns into major rewire?? - fair?

debtfree1day

ok chap 1 has been back with his electrical mate

He looked at electric and gas meter. Was happy with bonding on gas, but on electric wasn't. He then started undoing sockets and pointed out green stuff, eltrolysis or something, which he said is a reflection of no earthing, and whilst he only looked at 5 sockets, he said he is 95% sure it will be same all round house

3 days to rewire the house, with damage to property, palstering and need for decorating, also some thing about boards and going through loft to avoid too much damage in one room....to be honest I was struglgling to take it all int, but he said he will write everyhting down ----2800

Chap 1 said he can proceed with the kitchen spotlights off a new junction in the garage...same price as before, but he did say I need to be mindful of the fact the house isnt safe AND cant be sold due to HIPP packs and the like....

OMG!

Going for a coffee or a whiskey!

fluffpot

Did chap no 1 get his testers out at all? me thinks not! Looking in a few sockets and seeing green slime is not indication that a house needs rewiring - only by testing the circuits fully can this be established. Lack of earth does not cause this problem.

Plus if he is only being asked to work on the kitchen lighting circuit, he does not need to rewire the rest of the house! Sure, he can advise you that it needs rewiring (if indeed it does) but you're only asking him to do the kitchen lights., aren't you?

As others have said - before any electrical work can be done, main bonding (earthing) needs to be in place to the gas meter pipe and the incoming water pipe (near the stopcock) - it doesn't need to go off after that to the kitchen or bathroom.

I think you should get another opinion. Make sure that you will get certificates from the final person you chose - and if you are in not in Scotland, work in the kitchen is notifiable under Part P of the building Regs. You can check if your electrician is registered here https://www.competentperson.co.uk

amcluesent

Ask a sparks what EB is supposed to protect against and you'll get a long list of if this and that and the other happens then there might be a risk. You've got more chance of winning the lottery than your chrome bog-roll holder turning into a Death Machine

Mankysteve

Its not the bog roll holder that the problem. Say something drastic goes wrong in the boiler/washing machine. All you tap will suddenly become live. You may not need a full rewire. I could be wrong but if you have new consumer unit with rcd protection you don't need earth bonding.

debtfree1day

thanks guys, to say I am confused is an understatement, and also very stressed now....but apreciating your help

chap 1 did say he could do the kitchen on a seperate socket or something straight from the garage, and he is cheaper ( a tad) on that. He is also doing other DIY jobs and I am hapy with him / attitude and price, BUT he has said several times, he thinks my priority should be the rewire

this rcd form the mains business could be a middle way? presum ably less cost, but not as extensive. the rewire is going to damage every room, in terms of decor, plaster, floorboards too..

plasterer due early next week so need to sort plan. if i go for sparky 3 and sparky 4 I am likely to time expire and plasterer cant do his stuff until someone has sorted / measured for electrics once ceiling is down....i dunno

getmedebtfreeplease

Mankysteve wrote: »

Its not the bog roll holder that the problem. Say something drastic goes wrong in the boiler/washing machine. All you tap will suddenly become live. You may not need a full rewire. I could be wrong but if you have new consumer unit with rcd protection you don't need earth bonding.

Actually, a dual rcd consumer unit negates the need for supplementary bonding, NOT your water and gas bonds!!

diable

getmedebtfreeplease wrote: »

:rotfl:

No, earth bonding is what will save your life if a fault develops.
Under no circumstances let anyone carry out any electrical work unless they belong to a governing body and are able to self certify.
Insurance companies have the right to refuse claims, should you make one as a result of uncertified electrical work.

Just wear rubber wellies, simplz

fluffpot

I would suggest that if you're in any doubt, get a full test of your electrics done before the plasterer starts work. A PIR (Periodic Inspection Report) will take a day (unless your house is huge) and will tell you definitively which bits of your installation are safe and can stay and which need to be rewired. It would be worth spending this money as it might save you a huge amount in the future. The Report will come with a list of remedial works (if any) which you can also use to get other quotes.

Now all you have to do if find an electrician you can trust!

PS If you can post up a pic of your fuse board and the meter and main fuse we might be able to give some better advice

techmob

when i bought my house i knew the electrics were old but i didn't know how old and i was in the exact same situation as you. i got two electricians in to inspect the job.

to be honest i could of got away without a full rewire but i thought before i move in and spend a good number of years here i will get it all done before i plaster and decorate

i would hold back with the plasterer for now and see where you stand with your electrics. get as many people in to quote and see about your electrics. you should be able to make your mind up from each persons opinion which is the right way to go about things. if there is any doubt in your electrics just go for the full rewire and make sure it is done with someone who can sign it all off

someone who can do it in 3 days i would avoid.

debtfree1day

Hi thanks for all the advice...will get pic tomorrow, meanwhile...

A PIR (Periodic Inspection Report) will take a day (unless your house is huge) and will tell you definitively which bits of your installation are safe and can stay and which need to be rewired. It would be worth spending this money as it might save you a huge amount in the future.

where would I go about getting one?

cheers