Electrics advice please

morgwick

Hi, I know nothing about the electrics and the legal requirements, but I am having some new sockets installed in the house (hall and living room) and also been informed that the consumer unit should be replaced as its overloaded (several electricians have said the same).

So first electrician is a young lad who is Part P compliant? He said he will replace the consumer unit and test the house, but the work that he does he said will meet compliance tests, but he doesn't register the work.

The second electrician is slightly more expensive, but says that he will test the whole house once the consumer unit is replaced. If any part needs rewiring he can do this in installments if required. When all complete and passes all tests he will then register the work online.

Basically I need to know whether the work NEEDS to be registered with whoever. Is it a legal requirement. What are the implications on the house if it isn't registered?

Any pros or cons as I'm a newbie to having someone come in and do electrics.

Thank you in advance.

Inch_High_2

If it's not registered you may have problems when you come to sell.

Doozergirl

Any electrician worth their salt will register the work!

I think registered work also comes with a 6 year warranty on it. Not entirely sure though.

morgwick

Thank you both for replying, this is what my gut instinct is saying. Go for the more expensive but get the job done correctly (hopefully!)

2013yearofthehouse

Personally, I wouldn't let the second guy install the CU and then test the house afterwards, rewiring (and/or presumably doing any other remedial work) along the way, as he could tell you anything and charge you anything and you'd be stuck. If you had an EICR done before any other work, it will tell you what needs doing in addition to the CU and then you can get several quotes for that work (and include the sockets you want doing) - that way you know the cost of everything upfront and can then have it all done in one go.

paddyrg

If a job's worth doing...

I imagine we're talking about a fairly small difference in price for the peace of mind that you're not risking your home and family by someone who is unwilling to stand by their work.

morgwick

@2013yearofthehouse whats the EICR please? Both electricians have said that they would have to test the whole house but the second was willing to do it in installments if required (due to budget)

Regarding prices, there is about £100-150 difference. The first admitted that he is probably the cheapest because he doesn't register. I'm guessing he's not vat registered either, but could be wrong. He did say though that the only "issue" with not registering the work can be sometimes down to insurance. Not sure if he means his insurance or my home insurance?

The second seems more business like and professional, and seems to have good testimonials on various sites, so although not contemplating selling the house any time soon, at least it should be all done above board?

It scares me getting people in to do jobs that i can't monitor due to not having any experience. So many people can pull the wool over your eyes.

2013yearofthehouse

morgwick wrote: »

@2013yearofthehouse whats the EICR please? Both electricians have said that they would have to test the whole house but the second was willing to do it in installments if required (due to budget)

Regarding prices, there is about £100-150 difference. The first admitted that he is probably the cheapest because he doesn't register. I'm guessing he's not vat registered either, but could be wrong. He did say though that the only "issue" with not registering the work can be sometimes down to insurance. Not sure if he means his insurance or my home insurance?

The second seems more business like and professional, and seems to have good testimonials on various sites, so although not contemplating selling the house any time soon, at least it should be all done above board?

It scares me getting people in to do jobs that i can't monitor due to not having any experience. So many people can pull the wool over your eyes.

EICR (electrical installation condition report):
http://www.napit.org.uk/newsStory.asp?id=208
http://www.select.org.uk/downloads/BestPracticeGuide4-Issue3.pdf
There are other, better places to look for info (sorry in a hurry)

Basically they give everything (CU, earthing, bonding, sockets, fittings and fixtures etc.) a once over and make sure it's firstly safe and secondly if anything is recommended for improvement/updating.

I believe many of the checks/tests that are done in an EICR are the same ones done after you have a new CU installed. For example, the electrician who did our EICR then charged less for our CU change because it didn't take him as long (less checks/tests as he'd already done them).

Is your electrican registered here:
http://www.electricalsafetyregister.com
Or here:
http://www.electricsaferegister.co.uk

Useful info here:
http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/building-regulations/england/

With regard to the insurance thing - I'm sure, but I've read on MSE before that if say you had a house fire then your home insuarnace company might not pay out if you hadn't had the work completed/registered by someone qualified (or later had it checked in an EICR that passed).