Any electricians - is this cost excessive?

Halle71

We are selling our house and found out last week that, although it didn't come up when we purchased in 2009, there is no building regs approval for the extension built in 2006 (fuming with our solicitor :mad:)

The only outstanding issue is the electrical cert so we had a periodic inspection on Friday but it failed on the three points below. The electricial said he would forward us an estimate and said he thought it would be approx 3 hours work. Unless he charges over £100 an hour I can't see how he got to the estimate below. I'm happy to pay if this cost is fair but it seem excessive to me.

1) To wire and install 2 x smoke detection (radio operated )
2) To install 8 x fire hoods above halogens
3) To install double pole henly block 100amp in cupboard
4) To retest and issue NICEIC certification

Labour & Materials = £625.00

Plus VAT @20% = £125.00

Total = £750.00

dil1976

Can you list the defects found please and not the quote. That will help clarify what "actually" needs doing.

Halle71

Hello

There are no fire hoods above the halogens in the kitchen and they are next to wooden joists (8 lights in total).

There is no smoke alarm in the extension (single story rear kitchen extension) he said we need to link up with one in the hallway and to avoid wiring, he recommended installing radio controlled alarms - one in the kitchen linked to one in the hall.

The third I don't understand but there is something in the understairs cupboard with the circuit breaker and meter that has melted. This is the double pole henly block 100amp that needs replacing.

Oh and we are in London so expect higher labour costs.

Thanks a lot.

Kiran

Where abouts are you based? That quote looks to me like someone who knows you are desperate to sell a house and is trying it on. Supply and install you should not be looking at more than £300 + the cost of re testing.

As the poster above has identified it is the faults the inspection picked up that need fixing to pass the inspection. Get some more quotes and you'll see that price come down.

Halle71

I think you are right Kiran.
He does know that we are desperate (but not so much so that we will throw money away!). It doesn't help that we are in SW London and all tradespeople have work coming out of their ears.

Thanks - we will get some more quotes.

H

muckybutt

For starters fire hoods or fire rated fittings are not required in domestic houses - the exception being if they are houses of multiple occupation ie flats or if the house is over three floors or 18m in height I believe.

Halle71

Hmmmm, interesting, thanks muckybutt.

The electrician said that the halogens are close to to wooden joists which is why they need them.

I get the feeling we are being diddled.

We have our 'friendly' electrician coming round tonight who we didn't use because he cannot do the certification so he will come in lower and I will phone building control to see if they can help me.

Halle71

I've just spoken to building regs - we don't need the smoke alarm and the fire hoods are mandetory, not compulsory.

Seems our electrician was talking sh*te.

themull1

we get free smoke alarm fitted by the fire service, but if not - you should have them anyway!!

Inch_High_2

Halle71 wrote: »

I've just spoken to building regs - we don't need the smoke alarm and the fire hoods are mandetory, not compulsory.

Seems our electrician was talking sh*te.

mandatory
ˈmandət(ə)ri/
adjective
1.
required by law or mandate; compulsory.



Do you mean optional?

Inch_High_2

themull1 wrote: »

we get free smoke alarm fitted by the fire service, but if not - you should have them anyway!!

I think building regs require them to be wired in.