What to ask electrician for...?

MissMarble

Hi there,

We are in the process of buying our first home and as we are due to complete shortly, I'd like to book an electrician to come and look over the electrics.

We carried out a home buying survey and the surveyor noted we needed to get the electrics checked by a qualified electrician (understandably!), we then asked an electrician to have a look over the electrics before we exchanged but this was a quick review (about 15 mins).

Before we start any decorating, I'd like to get it thoroughly tested as I do have concerns over the electrics as it's an old property (1910) and the plugs are actually in the skirting boards - they are quite bulky and stick out quite a lot so I'd like to move these higher up the wall.

But I'm a bit confused about what to actually ask for - do we need a full electrical report or testing or both? Or something else? Also, would it be worth us asking the vendors before we move to note any work they have had done to the electrics as this may help to give an electrician some background?

Any insight or help would be extremely appreciated! Thank you

Risteard

You want periodic inspection and testing carried out.

Following this you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

MissMarble

Risteard wrote: »

You want periodic inspection and testing carried out.

Following this you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

Hello,

Thank you for your reply - is this the same thing as a ECR? Also, would it be worthwhile checking with the vendors about any work they've had done or would the electrician be able to see this easily? I'll also ask for a written quote too just to ensure we are covered with that.

Thank you!

Chrishazle

With a 1910 property I'd wonder if the wiring in place was VIR (vulcanised india rubber) sheathed and run in metal conduit, as over the decades the VIR degrades and you can end up with contact between a wire and the metal conduit (tube). This was the case in the 1936 vintage wiring (put in when the house was built) of a house we bought in 1982, luckily we'd already planned to have the house re-wired as many power points etc. were not where we wanted them, but we were surprised at what the installing electricians found when they started pulling the old wiring out!

martinthebandit

Home buyers survey always say 'get electrics checked by a qualified electrician.

What did the electrician who looked at the place for you say?

Risteard

MissMarble wrote: »

Hello,

Thank you for your reply - is this the same thing as a ECR? Also, would it be worthwhile checking with the vendors about any work they've had done or would the electrician be able to see this easily? I'll also ask for a written quote too just to ensure we are covered with that.

Thank you!

There is no such thing as an "ECR" - so I can but presume that they meant an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report).

Ectophile

It doesn't really matter what the previous owners say they have had done. They could be lying, they may have forgotten something.


A proper EICR will examine everything and test everything. It will cost you money. Don't go for a "drive-by" one, as used by landlords, where you describe the property and the "electrician" gives you a pass certificate to match.

Risteard

Ectophile wrote: »

A proper EICR will examine everything and test everything.

Not strictly true.

A proper EICR will inspect and test everything as per the agreed extent and limitations and operational limitations expressed within the report. To think that every accessory will be opened and tested is simply incorrect. Also unnecessary dismantling can introduce as many problems as it finds.

It will merely give a best judgement on the state of the installation within the confines of the extent and limitations agreed or not possible for operational reasons.