Damp work near elec meter

sg0102

Morning all

We are about to buy a new house that needs a fair bit of work.

The survey shower up 3 areas of damp that need proofing. We have had a quote for £695 ex vat to get it done - but there is one particular part of it that intrigues me.

There is damp in the pantry where the electricity meter and consumer unit are. The guy we had to quote said he couldnt guarantee the work unless we got these moved and the damp proofing was done across the complete area. Hope that makes sense? Problem comes to move all the electrics would involve about £1k worth of work - based on estimates!

Any thoughts welcome
Steve

BlueC

How are they damp proofing? Is it an injected DPC? Do you have pics of the site?

Would moving the meter and CU involve moving the incoming main or can that be left as is?

I wouldn't be too bothered about the guarantee, it's pretty much worthless. So unless moving the meter and CU is going to be cheap and little hassle (unlikely) then don't bother.

sg0102

The quote says it needs new DPC and tanking slurry?

Not sure if all the electrics need moving, I think just the unit and meter.

Thanks for the advice

Rockingit

If I'm reading this correctly, they don't need moving - they need REmoving and replacing afterwards in order to treat the wall behind.

Any competent registered electrician can accomplish this simple task relatively cheaply, however the problem is that they won't be able to re-instate something which is already faulty, so if you have any underlying issues that you don't know you've got they have no choice to put them right - and that's where the expense may come.

Have you had an inspection done in the last few years?

sg0102

Thanks Rockingit.

I think that makes sense, though is an electrician able to move the electricity meter? I thought this could only be touched by the electricity board?

Haven't had an inspection done, we are looking to exchange in the next week or so. All we know is that the consumer unit was installed about 3 years ago, so is relatively new.

Rockingit

sg0102 wrote: »

Thanks Rockingit.

I think that makes sense, though is an electrician able to move the electricity meter? I thought this could only be touched by the electricity board?

That's correct, yes, it belongs to them - which also means that they have a vested interest in its maintenance.Your best bet would be to contact your DNO (South West would be Western Power, for example) and explain the situation - that you don't need it moving, just temporarily lifting away from the wall. A decent sparks would lift the meter away (not supposed to, btw!) but the suppliers main intake is a different ball game altogether.

Haven't had an inspection done, we are looking to exchange in the next week or so. All we know is that the consumer unit was installed about 3 years ago, so is relatively new.
Yes, if it was done professionally then you're good to go.

Feel free to PM me - am a BSi Kitemark electrical installer.