Electrical Contractor Advice (House Re-wire)

Aubs

This may not be the best board to ask this, but I couldn't see any other appropriate one!

I've had an electrician completely rewire my house (bungalow), except, it appears the two rooms (WC and rear bedroom) that are in the flat roof extension. It looks like he has just used the existing wiring (probably circa 1965, as per the planning app for the extension) but used coloured sheathing over each core by the switch and light fitting (except in the back bedroom, he forgot to sheath the earthing so it is still "all green".

Quoting Amendment No 2 : 2004 to BS 7671 : 2001

Installations commencing on site after 31st March 2006 are to comply with Section 514 and, as appropriate, cores are to be identified with the harmonized colours.

and

514-03-02 (as amended)

Every core of a cable shall be identifiable at its terminations and preferably throughout its length.
Binding and sleeves for identification purposes shall comply with BS 3858 where appropriate.

I take it from those, that if we asked him to make the property safe that all is OK, but in any case, providing we requested that everything be re wired (i.e. a complete re-wire), where do we stand?

If some people (like my brother-in-law) think I'm picky, then yes... If I'm paying for something, I want it done right, if I have anything to do with it!

Questions:

1. I take it he is going against Building Regs with missing off the protective sheathing?
2. Is it legal (I don't know where to look in the Regs) to do this with a full rewire?
3. We want, and asked a full rewire, this is skipping part of it, right?
4. Where can I get help and advice regarding electrical installations suck as this?

He's due back tomorrow so obviously I want to get things sorted! Sorry for the short notice people, your help is very much appreciated.

Aubs

vaio

nothing wrong with re-using the old wires as long as they are safe.

The problem is if he’s charging you for replacing them, it might be he’s done it to avoid taking down the ceiling in the flat roof bit.

Either way you need to discuss it….Good luck

Aubs

Hi Vaio,

Thanks for your comment. You're probably right that he is saving himself a few pennies... He did come out and see the house before he quoted AND I pointed out that it was a flat roof!

It is a little bit of a pig to get into the flat roof, but as it's been constructed correctly, i.e. properly linked to the main house, there is a direct link through the roof void. If I'm in the attic, I can see the wires at the far end!!

Is there a legal requirement for any wires replaced after the aforementioned Regs came into force that they should be of the correct colour throughout the whole length? - I'm not clutching at straws, just checking that what has been done (which I will make sure is rectified) is actually legal! (I am fairly sure the earth/protective issue is not).

Aubs

vaio

Obviously I’m not in work but from memory any new wires after the changeover date have to be identified at each connection point. This identification can be by colour or other means (numbers for example)

If the flat roof wires are accessible I would have expected them to be changed if you ordered a rewire

baldelectrician

You have issues
If the price was given for a rewire, and if you have things in writing then you are fine, a rewire is what you should get.

It's not a safety issue. You wouldn't expect an electrician to rewire your house built in 2003 just because it has old colours.

You can't buy the old cables now (except on ebay).

The main issue may not be one of safety- the extension wiring may be servicable and fully compliant. If it's 1mm twin and earth, what's the point of ripping out the same to put it back in, with different colours.

The main issue is one of integrity. Was a full rewire agreed,or was it 'to bring the house up to a safe standard?'