Electric Quote - Is this fair?

poppyroberta

After finally managing to get in some quotes for the electrics we are now in a bit of a situation in that 2 out of 4 electricians think we need a total rewire.

2 of the electricians that have been think we don't need and that the electrics just need updating. I am personally happy to go with this because personally we did not think we needed to have the whole house re-wired (obviously that means nothing as we know nothing about electrics!!!) but because we really do not want all the mess and the chasing etc in each room.

Having said which I don't want people to think that I am being a skint flint over safety as this is not the case. If the house needs re-wiring it needs doing and safety comes first but we are in such a dilemma over what to do.

We live in a 5 bedroomed victorian detached house (known as the money pit) and have been here 7 months and done one bedroom only in order for the in-laws to stay at christmas (though that still needs finishing and only has a bed in there so far)!!!

Getting really deflated and wish we never bough the house as DOH works soooooooooo hard 7 days a week that I have to deal with every aspect of the house. My likely reads are more Vogue than Homebuilding and Renovating tho I have now started buying this mag!!!

Anyway before I carry on and on we have had a quote from one approved electrician who I have the best feel for (don't ask me why!!) which is set out below:

Supply wire and connect:

1 x 17 way split load fuseboard c/w RCD protection and various rated minature circuit breakers

1 x supplementary earth bonding in bathroom

1 x main earth gas bond (trunked in cellar)

1 x main eath water bond (tubed around front and side of house)

1 x mains operated heat detector c/w battery back up sited in kitchen

3 x mains operated smoke detectors c/w battery back-up, sited in hallway, first floor landing and second floor landing.
(chasing in lounge for smoke detectors supply)

Test and Inspection

Carry out testing and inspection and on fixed electrical within the premises in accordance with BS7671 wiring regulations.
Any limitations to the tests and inspection will be listed and agreed.
Any remedial work needed to bring the installation in compliance with current regulations will be quoted for separately.
Certification issued on completion of all works.

Is the above quote a fair price? The electrician did state that once they start testing the light fittings etc they may come across something but will let me know but he was here for over a hour and was also the 2nd electrician to actually undo some of the light switches in some of the rooms to see if they had been earthed and stated they had and this seemed to suggest total rewire not needed.

The electricians that stated we needed a total rewire looked at the fuseboards and just said "well, you need a total re-wire sorry lady!!).

Total price is £1,545.00 including VAT.

They have not quoted for plastering over in the lounge where chasing is to be done. They can do this or I can arrange for someone to do this so that will be an additional cost. They have also promised that my original ornate conving in the lounge will remain untouched. There are a few original features in this house and it would really upset me if these were ruined.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

If we get this done at least that's one job done and another 300 to do!!!

Next up heating, guttering, pointing, scaffolding!!

Thanks again

poppyroberta

Oh another thing in terms of the total house re-wires these came in at £8,700.29 plus VAT and £7,827.79 plus VAT.

Both the electricians that stated we needed a full re-wire as mentioned only looked at the fuse boards then asked me to take them around each room and tell them where I wanted my sockets etc. One of which kept pushing me to have more in the rooms saying you will need more and better to have more than less.

baldelectrician

I wish I lived down south

My standard rewire is from £1800.

A house your size may be around the £2800-£4500 mark all in, including certs, smoke detectors etc.


I would suggest a PIR first as this will give you a better idea if any problems are due to show up when the work starts.

It may be you need a rewire, as things may be poor. A check would sort it out one way or the other.

You should use a competent person for the work, links below

In Scotland:
Individuals regitered;
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

pm me. or email me at mail@baldelectrician.com if you have any questions.

robby-01

what part of the country are you in?
All those prices seem on the high side

Canucklehead

Hi

Regarding the number of sockets around the house have a look at this (page 6 )and decide for yourself if you need more sockets in your house .Then you can get quotes based on what you want , http://www.aie-elec.org/files/PDF%20HBES%20&%20SH%20TF/Adequate%20Provision%20of%20Electrical%20Socket%20Outlets%20in%20the%20hom.pdf

HTH.

Corgi Guy.

poppyroberta

Am based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire so West Midlands region.

robby-01

poppyroberta wrote: »

Am based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire so West Midlands region.

I was down there last week.