Dodgy electrics - what can wait?

patrick1

I'd appreciate some advice from people qualified/well versed with electrical issues.

Before purchasing my flat I had a NIC/EIC electrical inspection done. The guy quoted £6500+VAT for repairing the issues. My question here is not about the quote price, but about what I should really get repaired immediately and what can wait a while. I can't afford to do everything right now.

His quote was for rewiring the whole flat (I presume it was last done in the late 50s). He planed to lay electrical, aerial & phone cables into each room via plastic skirting boards due to the concrete floors/ceilings.

I've since tightened up all the loose light switches (most were loose and attached with just one screw).

The issues he flagged were:

1. No main equipotential bonding conductor (1)
2. No cross bonding to the pipe works/gas (1)
3. All light switches need improvments (2)
4. All the light switches have no earth terminal (1)
5. No cross bonding under the sink/shower (1)
6. No earth and screw missing in the light (sitting room) (1)
7. Various ceiling lighting points - no identification on the contactors (2)

Where (1) is 'requires urgent attention' and (2) is 'requires improvement'.

thanks

cattie

My first port of call would be to get at least 2 more quotes. Never ever accept the first one you get. With any trades there are those that want rolls royce money, whereas somebody else is more than happy with average charges for that particular trade & a white van to ferry him & his tools around.

knightstyle

Hi, The most important thing is to make it safe so if there is a fault the supply is cut to that circuit.
Start with a new fuse box with mcb and rcd protection, if you can, do the mains and supplementary bonding at the same time.
Then look at rewiring the power then lights.
If there are any obvious faults have the circuit disconnected.

Canucklehead

Good evening: You could also post your query on http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=8 ..excellent source of info on all things related to DIY.

HTH

Canucklehead

shockingmoment

Seems really expensive for an apartment rewire - I agree with the above posts - get some more quotes. Make sure quotes are like for like. Use the original as the template for the others (re-write the spec so the prices aren't displayed!). Make sure you have the sockets and switches where you want them. Rewirs are messy and disruptive. Try to plan it so its completed with the flat empty before you move in!
Part P of the Building Regs will also apply!
Good luck.

amarg

The points that you have raised above should only cost a few hundred quid tops!

Most of that can easily be done yourself, easily.

Look here for the bonding- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/earthing.htm

There are a couple of helpful sparks in their forum as well- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/electric-forum-uk-f3.html

£6500 is a ridiculous amount of money!

1. No main equipotential bonding conductor (1) see link above
2. No cross bonding to the pipe works/gas (1) see link above
3. All light switches need improvments (2) what improvements?
4. All the light switches have no earth terminal (1) not an issue if the light switches are plastic
5. No cross bonding under the sink/shower (1) see link above
6. No earth and screw missing in the light (sitting room) (1) get a screw
7. Various ceiling lighting points - no identification on the contactors (2) this is not rocket science and can be done with insulation tape

Nobleck

Being an Electrician i'd say the bloke was a con man, not knowing the size of your flat or number of rooms etc doesn't help, but i'd say for the work you've posted no more than a few hundred.
You could do most of it yourself.
The rewire depends on the number of rooms, let us know and maybe we can get you a rough guide price (need to know what part of the country you live in as well please).

Inactive

patrick1 wrote: »

His quote was for rewiring the whole flat (I presume it was last done in the late 50s). He planed to lay electrical, aerial & phone cables into each room via plastic skirting boards due to the concrete floors/ceilings.

If the lighting circuit has an earth circuit, it is newer than the " 50's ", indeed newer than the early sixties.

Can we assume that cable is grey PVC coated?

baldelectrician

amarg wrote: »

The points that you have raised above should only cost a few hundred quid tops!

Most of that can easily be done yourself, easily.

Look here for the bonding- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/earthing.htm

There are a couple of helpful sparks in their forum as well- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/forum1/electric-forum-uk-f3.html

£6500 is a ridiculous amount of money!

All the light switches have no earth terminal (1) not an issue if the light switches are plastic

I agree the price is cheeky (without seeing the install)

A PIR (Periodic Inspection Report) is ONLY AN INSPECTION.
There is No fixing just reporting.

the quote above regarding the earth at light switches is WRONG.
All points require to be earthed, or have an earth terminat there (if the item does not require an earth then the earth is not connected - but it is required to be there by the regs)

weekendwarrior

baldelectrician wrote: »

I agree the price is cheeky (without seeing the install)

A PIR (Periodic Inspection Report) is ONLY AN INSPECTION.
There is No fixing just reporting.

the quote above regarding the earth at light switches is WRONG.
All points require to be earthed, or have an earth terminat there (if the item does not require an earth then the earth is not connected - but it is required to be there by the regs)

I think that what amarg has said is correct to be honest!

Firstly the regs are not retrospective!

It may be different in scotland?

If no cpc is present at the switches or ceiling roses then a risk assessment needs to be carried out. If the switches are plastic and the light fittings are plastic then there is no significant shock risk!



The rest of the house can be re-wired and the consumer unit can be changed if necessary, then a yellow label stating " WARNING circuits no's xxxx do not have provisions for earthing metal equipment. TO AVOID RISK OF ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT REPLACE INSULATED LIGHT FITTINGS OR SWITCHES WITH METAL LIGHT SWITCHES OR FITTINGS"

duncan320

Was the extra " 0 " at the end a mistake ! Get a few quotes, If you goto http://niceic.org.uk/ you can search for NICEIC qualified in your area.