No Part P certificate after electrician has finished?

Procrastinator333

So, we had a full re-wire about 6 months ago. The spark we used was a relative of someone I know at work. They work for a firm of electricicans and this guy had just passed all his exams. We were his first private job.

Anyway, job went fine and from my limited knowledge, all was done ok - e.g. he was a bit of a pain for where we could or couldn't run cables. Did loads of testing at the end. And up to this point everythign was fine.

But after this, we have been trying to get the certificate out of him. I think the issue is that we were his first job. Apparently the trade body who do the work want to inspect more than one of his jobs before they will sign them off? But, he hasn't done any other private jobs, so can't get this done. He keeps saying he will organise it and get someone else round to do the cert (which I believe they do sometimes do), but 6 months on and fact is I have no certificate.

I have paid him in full, all work was done, everything was fine, cert was a formality according to him and know his relative at work so wasn't too worried (nistake I know). But, here I am, with no certificate.

So, my questions if anyone can help, or any other advice much appreciated.

1) He is a member of NICEIC - If I complain to them, will they care?

2) Has he done anything he should be reported for - E.g. completing notifiable work, powering up the circuits and then not actually notifying anyone?

3) How do I sort this out? I don't believe any other spark would sign off his work - and fair enough. Building control are involved as part of the work was in a new extension (and they won't sign off the extension without a Part P cert) - but presumably too late to get them to certify the work? I could get a PIR from another spark, but not sure that is as useful?

4) How much of an issue is this when selling the house? I don't mind offering to pay for a PIR, would that satisfy solicitors / homebuyers out there?

Really, any advice or suggestions on this would be much appreciated. This can't be the first time something like this has happened.

Thanks

Justicia

Procrastinator333 wrote: »

I have paid him in full, all work was done, everything was fine, cert was a formality according to him and know his relative at work so wasn't too worried (nistake I know). But, here I am, with no certificate.

Did you get any certification at all from him (Electrical Installation Certificate and associated forms)?

1) He is a member of NICEIC - If I complain to them, will they care?

If he is a member of the NICEIC then yes, they should care about this. If he was unable to sign off through NICEIC (from what you write, he might have been still in the application process with them?), he could have gone through your local Building Control prior to commencing the work and got them fully involved.

2) Has he done anything he should be reported for - E.g. completing notifiable work, powering up the circuits and then not actually notifying anyone?

I am still unsure of where he was in the process with the NICEIC. Was he a member at the point of completion (if not before)? Did you get offered a NICEIC warranty?

3) How do I sort this out? I don't believe any other spark would sign off his work - and fair enough. Building control are involved as part of the work was in a new extension (and they won't sign off the extension without a Part P cert) - but presumably too late to get them to certify the work? I could get a PIR from another spark, but not sure that is as useful?

You are correct; few electricians will sign off work of another, especially considering they will not be able to inspect the installation/work fully, e.g. conductor sizes, cables in walls correctly, etc. The fact that the current "electrician" has been non-forthcoming with the correct procedure could rightly concern them as to what else they could be signing off...

4) How much of an issue is this when selling the house? I don't mind offering to pay for a PIR, would that satisfy solicitors / homebuyers out there?

The Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) was killed off within BS 7671 at the end of December. It's since been replaced by an Electrical Installation Condition report (EICR). You could get a Periodic Inspection completed by another electrician, however there will still be a gaping hole in your documentation, due to the limitations included as mentioned above (concealed cables, etc.).

Procrastinator333

Justicia wrote: »

Did you get any certification at all from him (Electrical Installation Certificate)?

If he is a member of the NICEIC then yes, they should care about this. If he was unable to sign off through NICEIC (from what you write, he might have been still in the application process with them), he could have gone through your local Building Control prior to commencing the work and got them involved.

Thanks for the quick reply. No, got nothing from him at all. He hasn't gone through building control as I have spoken to them. I will give NICEIC a ring tomorrow and see if anyone can / will discuss this with me.

I will keep chasing him, but 6 months on and all he keeps saying is yes, will be done soon, don't worry, but has said that for the last 6 months. At some point I have to cut my losses and work out how to deal with no certificate.

Justicia

I agree that, six months on, he seems to be giving you "the high hat..." :mad:

What are the thoughts (if any) of the Building Control over this continuing matter? As it is their responsibility to enforce the BRs of their area...

Definately contact NICEIC and get their response also.

Procrastinator333

Justicia wrote: »

I am still unsure of where he was in the process with the NICEIC. Was he a member at the point of completion (if not before)? Did you get offered a NICEIC warranty?

To be honest, neither am I any more. We ended up getting a quote from him as his relative at work had told us he had just finished all his qualifications and could now sign off works. Again, we asked him if we woudl get a Part P cert, he said yep no probs. All his quotes (which were written), stated for all works plus certification. Never anything to doubt he could get the cert until now I find myself continually being fobbed off. Bit gutted to tell the truth as we tried to do everything right.

Justicia wrote: »

You are correct; few electricians will sign off work of another, especially considering they will not be able to inspect the installation/work fully, e.g. conductor sizes, cables in walls correctly, etc. The fact that the current "electrician" has been non-forthcoming with the correct procedure could rightly concern them as to what else they could be signing off...

Yeah, and that is more than fair enough, so can't complain about that.

Justicia wrote: »

The Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) was killed off within BS 7671 at the end of December. It's since been replaced by an Electrical Installation Condition report (EICR). You could get a Periodic Inspection completed by another electrician, however there will still be a gaping hole in your documentation, due to the limitations included as mentioned above (concealed cables, etc.).

I will talk to building control and see what they say, but don't see what other options I have. I can't rip it all out and start again, house is now plastered, decorated, kitchen, bathroom fitted and being lived in.

Most annoying thing is his quote was only marginally cheaper than another spark, but thought we would do the guy a favour as he was looking to start out on his own.

Thank you for replying.

southcoastrgi

which exams has he just finished ?, is he a member of the nic in his own right or is it the firm who he works for & he isn't in his own right ? if it's the latter he maybe having trouble getting the firm to sign it off as it was a private & didn't go through the firm, I'm not sure if the nic works the same way as gas safe but there are some very good sparks on here & i'm sure they will be able to answer your & my points.

Procrastinator333

Justicia wrote: »

I agree that, six months on, he seems to be giving you "the high hat..." :mad:

What are the thoughts (if any) of the Building Control over this continuing matter? As it is their responsibility to enforce the BRs of their area...

Definately contact NICEIC and get their response also.

I tried building control, but the chap who signed off the rest of the extension is away until next week, so will need to wait until then to talk to him.

I will get in touch with NICEIC as well and see what happens there.

But think that if I get no cert, only option is that EICR and just have to hope it isn't a deal breaker for someone when we sell the house further down the line.

Procrastinator333

southcoastrgi wrote: »

which exams has he just finished ?, is he a member of the nic in his own right or is it the firm who he works for & he isn't in his own right ? if it's the latter he maybe having trouble getting the firm to sign it off as it was a private & didn't go through the firm, I'm not sure if the nic works the same way as gas safe but there are some very good sparks on here & i'm sure they will be able to answer your & my points.

Not exactly sure. My understaning is he had qualified, was a member of NIC and could Part P certify his work. Guess I will find out when I talk to NIC about him.

Cheers

Justicia

Procrastinator333 wrote: »

All his quotes (which were written), stated for all works plus certification. Never anything to doubt he could get the cert until now I find myself continually being fobbed off. Bit gutted to tell the truth as we tried to do everything right.

NICEIC/Building Control or not; the fact that he hasn't even bothered to issue you the main (some may say "basic") documentation (including his test results, etc.) is the main reason that I would pursue this, as you have been.

Procrastinator333 wrote: »

[SNIP] but don't see what other options I have. I can't rip it all out and start again, house is now plastered, decorated, kitchen, bathroom fitted and being lived in.

Of course not, no. I totally see where you are coming from on that.

Justicia

Do you know the company name?

May be worth a look here for interest...

http://niceic.com/Page/SearchContractors