Electrical/Gas Checks - a necessity?

KatieDee

We are now well into our purchase of a 1970's property, which seems to be in very good order. We had a Homebuyers Survey carried out which hasn't identified any significant issues and were very happy with how things we ticking along.

Our solicitor has suggested that we have the electricity and the gas checked out, prior to exchange. The boiler was installed in 2013 and the vendor has provided paperwork for this. The electrics, we assume, are the same ones present when the property was built.

Is it sensible and realistic to arrange for both the gas and the electric to be checked prior to exchange, as the solicitor says? I understand it is his job to protect both us and the lender as far as possible, so I am trying to work out if this is something many people do when buying a new home.

Also, could anybody advise what kind of electrical checks and gas checks are recommended during a house purchase, and how much this is likely to cost in the North West? I have tried to google this, but there are several different options available and I want to make sure I'm asking for the right ones (if we decide to go ahead!).

Thank you in advance

Mr.Generous

Not necessary but probably worth while even if everything is sound for peace of mind. Remember the electricity check will flag up all sorts of things that don't meet the latest regulations, unless they are unsafe that's nothing to worry about and quite normal.

A gas safe certificate and boiler service (extra charge £40) would generally do for the gas. Around £35 - £70. ( We use certificate4you from Manchester charge £38 for the test)

A periodic inspection or electrical safety check will take longer and cost more but will give a detailed report on the condition of the mains board and wiring. If the house hasn't got RCD protection it can usually be added prior to the mains board, but anything old enough to have no RCD usually better just replacing it. The cost of this can be quite high. I'd assume £300 - £500 or more, depends where you live, how big the property, how many circuits to check etc.

G_M

It really depends on various factors:
* age of property?
* generalcondition?
* your own inspection, and ability to spot red flags
* your attitude to risk

If the boiler is relatively new, and/or there was a working CO alarm near it, you can 'assume' the boiler is safe and skip the gas inspection - unless you are ultra concerned/cautious.

Similalrly if you looked at the electrical Consumer Unit (fuse box) and saw it was a modern style with trip switches, and the light switches/sockets etc are modern, you might reasonably assu the electrics are OK.


On the other hand if the fuse box is the type with fuse wire and the house has clearly not been updated by the elderly sellers for 30 years, you might want to get an inspection done. Or you might simply assume you'll need to re-wire, budget £2500 for that, and not bother with an inspection!

KatieDee

G_M wrote: »

It really depends on various factors:
* age of property?
* generalcondition?
* your own inspection, and ability to spot red flags
* your attitude to risk

If the boiler is relatively new, and/or there was a working CO alarm near it, you can 'assume' the boiler is safe and skip the gas inspection - unless you are ultra concerned/cautious.

Similalrly if you looked at the electrical Consumer Unit (fuse box) and saw it was a modern style with trip switches, and the light switches/sockets etc are modern, you might reasonably assu the electrics are OK.


On the other hand if the fuse box is the type with fuse wire and the house has clearly not been updated by the elderly sellers for 30 years, you might want to get an inspection done. Or you might simply assume you'll need to re-wire, budget £2500 for that, and not bother with an inspection!

Thank you for your input. It was built in the mid-seventies and seems to be in very good condition. The boiler is quite new, as are some additional radiators in the conservatory. We had a good look at the fuse box/switch board and this also looked modern, although I don't think the wiring has been done since the current vendors purchased the house.

I've seen some houses with much older wiring and have previously owned a property which needed a rewire, so I like to think I could spot a red flag...however vendors seem to have a real skill at hiding all of the bad bits of a property :rotfl: