Implications of house I was buying (likely to withdraw) failing an electrical inspection?

snowcat75

FreeBear said:

MrCheeseman said: I didn't expect 100% but I didn't figure on the electrics being quite so ramshackle,

AdrianC said:

So you've randomly added 40% to the rewiring quote simply because you don't much fancy getting the paintbrushes out...? You're going to find home ownership bloody expensive all round with that attitude...

I honestly couldn't visualise how much damage a rewire would do. Looking at pictures it's a bit less traumatic than I thought, so I might give it a go myself. Truth is, I've not got a lot of confidence in myself when it comes to DIYing, since this is my first house purchase.

Even a competent DIYer should not attempt to rewire a house. Some parts need specialised test equipment, and it all needs to be compliant with current regulations. Replacing the consumer unit and/or major changes to wiring needs building regs approval - It is unlikely you could meet the requirements for testing, so would never get the work signed off. Please, leave it to a qualified electrician that can provide all the necessary paperwork.

That said, under the guidance of the electrician, you could do the "first fix" - i.e. Chasing out & fitting back boxes & conduit, preparing the area ready for cables to be pulled through. Once the electrical work has been completed, you are then free to make good on any damage.

You would be amazed though how many sparks wont pay for part P compliance and testing due to the greed of the governing bodys, Many will install and then get a friend to do the testing.
I have to say Part P inspires me with little confidence up till 05 I used to do all my own works, on the last couple of builds Iv had to get sparks in either Part P compliant or use a Part P inspector, First house despite passing all testing burnt the main tail out one lunchtime because they hadn't tightened the cooker MCB on the buzz bar,  then this place I lost half the downstairs ring, when I popped a socket that had a crackle behind it I found the 2 N tails had never been joined in the plug base and were just flapping about, same spark had also used standard T&E inside the boiler housing (should have been heat resistant) and other than the MCB he put no isolator on the boiler.
Unfortunately having Regs doesn't always improve the standard of work.