Cost of minor electrical works?

travel_freak

Hi,

Please can anyone say what a fair/reasonable cost would be for the following:

1. To move three electrical sockets about 15-20 cms up the wall (they are currently located on skirting board and are illegal where they are).

2. To check and certify all electric as safe - this is for a two bedroom flat.

I have had a quote for £500 which seems really high to me but I've never had this sort of work done so I just don't know if it's fair or not.

Also, the person who quoted just glanced at the consumer unit, without looking at it in any detail, and said I would need a new one as it was old. It is a brand new looking consumer unit from Wickes, a modern type with individual trip fuses and another builder I had round looked at and said that's new you don't need it replacing. Can anyone offer any tips for me to know by looking myself what the truth is?

Finally, please does anyone know an HONEST, FAIR (!!!) electrician NICEIC who might be interested in taking on these small jobs in Middlesex area?

Many thanks in advance.

Regards,

colkaz

Strange as this may seem your sockets are not illegal where they are.
Only on a new install and this is covered by the building regs (Disabled persons)do they need to be placed at a minimum height of 450 mm.
Just because your fuse board doesn't comply with current regs (normally this is to do with earth bonding and outdoor sockets not being covered by an R.C.D)it may quite happily comply with previous regs!
unless you think everybody has to have a full rewire when new regs come along!
Why has it got to be an NICEIC sparky who does your work, i've lost count of the times i've had to sort out village idiot mistakes by NICEIC trades people

travel_freak

Thanks Colkaz,

The only reason I think they're illegal where they are is that two builders have told me that they are and that they won't pass an electrical safety test. This is important for me as I will be letting this property out so need to know that everything is safe and certified as being so.

Are the builders mistaken in what they've told me about these sockets?

Thanks again.

baldelectrician

The regulations aren't retrospective, so a low socket doesn't automatically become 'illegal', just not compliant if it were a new build

You do have a duty of care as a landlord. It esentially means you should look after things in a good manner, using safe systems of work and competent persons. If you take all reasonable action (use skilled persons to check gas, electrics etc) and something bad were to happen then you can prove you were diligant.

In other words, find a local electrican, preferably a smaller firm who is interesred in repeat business, not a quick buck, and ask them to do a visual check, and if the installation looks a bit older, ask for a full periodic inspection report. (PIR)

Get to know a local registered electricain (as they will be able to sign off thier own work for the council)
see http://www.competentperson.co.uk

To move 3 sockets up, change a consumer unit and do a wiring check £500 may be a bit steep.

If he is doing a new consumer unit and upgrading the main earth bonding the price may be more realistic.

use the link above to call round a few local companies, and ask
what price for a PIR. A PIR should be £90-£150, depending on size of property.
If someone offers one for £35, walk away (they will probably do it through the letterbox )

I suggest you ask a couple of letting agents who they use as they will have seperated the good from the bad.

Most important (as already mentioned) use a registered electrician, as complaint procedures are in place, and they are vetted.