Electrical Inspection/Survey

elspeth79

As per our survey we are looking at getting the electrics tested.

It is of course highly unlikely they meet current regulations, but all I want to know is that they are safe and nothing like a complete rewire is needed. Is there a level of electrical survey I can get that will tell me this?

The documents provided by the vendor include a part p certficate for new wiring in association with heating system issued last year. Would that give any indication about the state of the electrics? Presumably if the house needed major electrical work they wouldn't have been able to upgrade this wiring?

BitterAndTwisted

Stop guessing and get a competent electrician in to check it out.

elspeth79

Stop guessing and get a competent electrician in to check it out.

Well we intend to, hence asking about what level of electrical survey we require. The second question was more whether I should think of this as a box ticking exercise or something to worry about :-)

G_M

elspeth79 wrote: »

As per our survey we are looking at getting the electrics tested.

It is of course highly unlikely they meet current regulations, but all I want to know is that they are safe and nothing like a complete rewire is needed. Is there a level of electrical survey I can get that will tell me this?

The documents provided by the vendor include a part p certficate for new wiring in association with heating system issued last year. Would that give any indication about the state of the electrics? Presumably if the house needed major electrical work they wouldn't have been able to upgrade this wiring?

What does the survey say? Surveyors are not electricians so typically make a standard recomendation to have an inspection just to cover themselves. Does the survey actually suggest there is a problem? Or just "may not meet current standards - recommend an electrical inspection"?

Does the Part P cover the property or just the heating electrics? If just the heating, yes, provided the entire heating electrics met the standards a Part P could be issued, ignoring the rest of the property.

What do the sockets/switches look like? Modern or 1950s?
What does the fuse box look like? RCDs (trip switches)? or old fashioned cartridges with wire inside?

How old is the house? If old, has the vendor indicated the wiring was ever updated?

Electrics that are 20, 30 years old should be fine (unless dodgy DIY has been done). Old rubber wiring from the 50s..... ouch! But very few properties still have this.

westv

The survey I got done for a 60s flat earlier this year said that, whilst there was nothing to suggest any significant defects are likely to exist it was suggested the electrics were checked as per IEE recommendation. I'm not going to bother. If I fry or the place burns down then tell me I was a fool.

elspeth79

The survey says

When considering the advice of the Institution of Electrical Engineers and the lack of a test within the last 10 years you should have the system, including the electric shower checked and tested thoroughly before occupation and use

so just the standard text, nothing highlighted in particular.

House was built early 50s, sockets look modern'ish i.e. not the 1950s originals. Consumer unit with switches so looks like it has been updated at some point but as far as I'm aware the vendor has not provided any paperwork or information on this.

KateLiana27

What you need is a Periodic Inspection Report. It will cost about £120 - £150 and should be done by an electrician registered with NICEIC, ECA/ELECSA, or equivalent. Look on these websites to find your local registered electricians and call them up - they will know exactly what you're talking about. Takes about half a day to complete, sometimes less, and you should be able to get it done within a week or two depending on how busy the electrician is.

You will get a report that states exactly what state the electrics are in, and can go from there. There are different levels of urgency from "doesn't meet current standards" (not necessarily an issue) to imminent electrocution (to paraphrase). If work is needed, make sure to get more than one quote rather than just going with the guy who did the PIR.

Hope that helps.

G_M

elspeth79 wrote: »

The survey says



so just the standard text, nothing highlighted in particular.

House was built early 50s, sockets look modern'ish i.e. not the 1950s originals. Consumer unit with switches so looks like it has been updated at some point but as far as I'm aware the vendor has not provided any paperwork or information on this.

Depends how paranoid you are and what your attitude to risk is.

Are you the kind of person who insures everything against every possibility?
Pet insurance?
Fully comp car cover with legal extra and full breakdown cover? And a warranty against car repair bills too?
Extended warranties on your washing machine etc?
House contents with extended accidental damage? And extra cover for personal belongings away from the home?

If you never take any risks, pay an electrician to do an inspection.

Personally, I wouldn't bother.