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When to undo DIY electrics

Hi All, I'm looking for some advice.

We've agreed the sale of the property we've lived in for 15+years. During that time I've done a few small diy electrical jobs - added loft light, bathroom extractor fan to name a couple. As they've been done by me and I have no credentials I'll need to remove them before we move. This isn't a problem as removing them doesn't have an impact on any other part of the system, it will simply be a case of reverting the property to the state it was when we first bought.

My question is when should I do this? Is it likely to be something that's going to be picked up on and queried when they buyers have their survey done or can I simply leave it until the day before we leave?

Comments

  • RedFraggle
    RedFraggle Posts: 1,450 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    If buyers have seen it installed during visits they'll expect it to be there so I wouldn't recommend removing the day before you leave. It's up to them not you to ensure the safety of any electrical installations and your house is unlikely to meet current regs anyway.Personally I would just leave it.
    Officially in a clique of idiots
  • ashe
    ashe Posts: 1,574 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I_Kantski wrote: »
    Hi All, I'm looking for some advice.

    We've agreed the sale of the property we've lived in for 15+years. During that time I've done a few small diy electrical jobs - added loft light, bathroom extractor fan to name a couple. As they've been done by me and I have no credentials I'll need to remove them before we move. This isn't a problem as removing them doesn't have an impact on any other part of the system, it will simply be a case of reverting the property to the state it was when we first bought.

    My question is when should I do this? Is it likely to be something that's going to be picked up on and queried when they buyers have their survey done or can I simply leave it until the day before we leave?

    You will complete a form as part of your solicitors paperwork asking if there is any electrical work you have had done and if you have certificates for it, so it would need to be declared. Suppose you have two options; undo it all and make good, or get an electrician round to make it complaint, not sure how feasible that is. Either way I'd say probably before you start to have house viewings as then you are changing how the house will look before work is undone.
  • new_owner
    new_owner Posts: 238 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 17 March 2018 at 9:54PM
    Loft light won't need to be declared. and depends if the bathroom extractor was done before the regs changed to whether they need to be declared.

    You are allowed to do some work in your house without having to declare.

    "From April 2013 electrical work in a dwelling, or associated with its surroundings, is notifiable to a local building control body where the work includes:

    the installation of a new circuit, whether at low voltage (typically 230 V) or extra-low voltage); or
    the replacement of a consumer unit (fusebox); or
    any alteration or addition to an existing circuit in a special location*, whether at low voltage (typically 230 V) or extra-low voltage

    *A special location is a room containing a bath or shower, swimming pool or a sauna heater.

    An alteration or addition to an existing circuit in a room containing a bath or shower is notifiable only where carried out in the space surrounding a bath or shower.

    An alteration or addition anywhere within a room containing a swimming pool or sauna heater is notifiable."
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I_Kantski wrote: »
    Hi All, I'm looking for some advice.

    We've agreed the sale of the property we've lived in for 15+years. During that time I've done a few small diy electrical jobs - added loft light, bathroom extractor fan to name a couple. As they've been done by me and I have no credentials I'll need to remove them before we move.

    Good grief! Why? Don't be ridiculous!

    My question is when should I do this? ......?
    You don't.

    The buyer may have an elecrical inspection done (if he wishes), and you will declare any work that is decarable on the PIF.

    If here are works which should have had Building Regs certification, you can always offer an indemnity policy if the buyer asks.
  • jamesperrett
    jamesperrett Posts: 1,011 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You could also ask a qualified electrician to look over the work and correct any issues.
  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Declare it and let the buyers sort it out. We had to rewire an entire house once because the previous owner had done quite a lot of DIY (Destroy It Yourself) wiring.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If there's nothing actually wrong with it then just leave it.
This discussion has been closed.
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