Any comeback on surveyor?

m0t

We purchased a property and completed two weeks ago, but have been unable to move in as we unexpectedly had to get the whole house rewired. The reason for this was that the electrics were a fire hazard and not safe to leave on.

Our survey said:
The electric meter is located in the cupboard under the stairs. The dated fusebox is also located under the stairs and the wiring is dated.

The electric installation to this property is dated and will need to be upgraded to meet the 17th edition of building regulations. This work is to be undertaken by your NICEIC registered engineer.

and marked electrics as amber.

All of the electricians I got quotes through have said that the above is misleading as it makes it seem as though the only reason for updating is that it is not up to 17th edition regs but was still usable.

They have pointed out that the wiring is obviously dangerous as there is insulation missing from a number of cables by the fusebox as well as in the eaves which was also viewed by the surveyor. They also all said that the survey should have marked it as a red item.

Would I have any case against the surveyor as I would have reduced my offer to take account of the urgent electrical work needed, rather that accepted it as something that would eventually need doing.

mrginge

So the surveyor said the electrics needed upgrading.
And they did.

ruggedtoast

The wording seems pretty unambiguous to me. You have to read the survey as well askjust look at the colours.

alun4

Would you drive through an Amber light without considering you should STOP or be on caution?

moneyistooshorttomention

Actually, I wish my surveyor had bothered to mention that its a fusebox, rather than a circuit breaker board. With that, I would have had my suspicions about the electrics, rather than just thinking "Oh...I'll add a few more powerpoints". Its turned out to be a fusebox AND all the lights blew on me at one point (and that got traced to a dicey light-fitting) AND there is a powerpoint in the place that I'm told isn't even earthed:eek:.

Hence...I'm about to get rather more electrical work done than I anticipated:mad: and I hadn't even had any clues and all the power points I spotted were modern ones. Hmm...thinks the clue should have been in the look of some of those light fittings...and I shoulda opened the cupboard door and then I would have spotted it was a darn fusebox STILL. Another clue should have been when I spotted that some of the powerpoints weren't done properly (ie set back into the wall) and I shouldn't have just thought "They couldn't be ars*d to do the job properly and I'll put that bit right"...it's turned out to be another indicator that the house electrics as a whole haven't been done properly (ie modernised to a safe level).

I gather having a fusebox, rather than a circuit breaker board, means the electrics are OLD/previous era stuff and definitely some level or other of problem is there. A fusebox in place means rather more than just "not up to current regulations". I found that in my last place and now same again in this one:(. I don't think fuseboxes have been put in for the last 30 or more years.

I know we are all used to Officialdom and its Jobsworth Ways these days, but your house sounds like rather more than a case of keeping Officialdom happy and in their respective jobs by constant Rule Updating. It sounds like you made the same mistake I did re that fusebox Big Clue of Problems.

kingstreet

The wording indicated the need for attention to the electrics. The surveyor is not a specialist and brings to the buyer's attention issues which should be addressed, but is not qualified to intricately assess the issue, hence the recommendation the matter be passed to a NICEIC qualified individual.

If you did not do that prior to purchase, you cannot hold the surveyor responsible.

egoode

My surveyor actually recommended getting a separate electricians report to confirm the electrics were safe and yours did indicate that as well in the survey. When it's amber and mentions a fuse box that to me would suggest needing a more detailed report from a qualified electrician.

BornAtTheRightTime

kingstreet wrote: »

The wording indicated the need for attention to the electrics. The surveyor is not a specialist and brings to the buyer's attention issues which should be addressed, but is not qualified to intricately assess the issue, hence the recommendation the matter be passed to a NICEIC qualified individual.

If you did not do that prior to purchase, you cannot hold the surveyor responsible.

Accurate and succint post.

dimbo61

A little bit of common sense ?
If a property is over 20/30 years old I would consider a complete rewire as a start point.
Get a qualified NICEIC Electrician to survey the electrics in the same way you would get a roofer in to check the roof, damp expert to check for signs of damp

ValHaller

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I gather having a fusebox, rather than a circuit breaker board, means the electrics are OLD/previous era stuff and definitely some level or other of problem is there. A fusebox in place means rather more than just "not up to current regulations". I found that in my last place and now same again in this one:(. I don't think fuseboxes have been put in for the last 30 or more years.

A fusebox is possibly an indication of issues, but it is not a de facto decider. As I understand it, cartridge fuses are compliant with current regs.

m0t

I thought that might be the case but was a little annoyed at the wording suggesting it should be renewed because it was dated (not urgent) rather than because it was unusuable and a severe fire risk.