Builder not giving electrical certificate for extension

jc292

I wonder what to do in this situation.

We had some building work done (an extension) which involved new circuits and even a new consumer unit.  All done well, we are very happy and got on well with the local building firm.  We have paid up and as agreed following payment we should be sent the relevant certificates for the work.

We received a certificate from building control in due course, but 4 months later and still no Part P electrical certificate for the electrical work.

I have sent approaching 10 chasing emails, with no reply to any.  I have spoken to the guy on the phone who says a certificate was sent to the council, otherwise we wouldn't have got the building control certificate. However I do not believe that to be true... in that I don't think that the electrical cert is any part of the building control signoff process.  He has promised to get back to me with a copy of the certificate but that was 2 months of silence ago.

What can I do in this situation? I feel I may have to get a solicitor involved if I'm continually ignored but obviously reluctant to.  On the other hand I will be the one on the hook for production of this certificate if and when we eventually sell.

grumbler

jc292 said:

 I have spoken to the guy on the phone who says a certificate was sent to the council, otherwise we wouldn't have got the building control certificate. However I do not believe that to be true... in that I don't think that the electrical cert is any part of the building control signoff process. 

Ask the council?

I feel I may have to get a solicitor involved if I'm continually ignored but obviously reluctant to.

Throwing good money after bad one. I don't see what a solicitor can do that you cannot do yourself.

• Small claims court

diystarter7

OP
A lesson in not paying all monies until you got everything done.
Not sure if they have to send to the council but is an extension so possible.

Options

As stated by Grumbeler, contact the council, it may get resolved.
Failing the above:
Get it checked out by another sparky and get a cert but not sure re costs and he/she may not agree with the works.

ps - as I type, second thoughts, pretty sure no need to be sent to the council unless part of the planning process and extensions to a certain size can be built without PP.

jonnydeppiwish!

Surely you would have got BC sign off with them receiving electrical report. 

You physically don’t get a copy either, it’s normally sent via email.

J63320

You should be able to get a copy from whichever certification organisation your electrician belongs to.

macman

Is your builder a qualified electrician, or did he sub the electrical work? Is one of his employees qualified to do the work?
Can they self-certify, ro do they need to get BC to approve the electrical work?
My guess is that he sub'd the work and expected the sub-contractor to process the documentation for him.
Stop emailing him, send an LBA.

DRP

Why do you need a separate electrical cert? If the extension has been signed off that will cover everything. 

fenwick458

DRP said:

Why do you need a separate electrical cert? If the extension has been signed off that will cover everything. 

they should still have a cert. any professional electrician would certify their work it's part of the job. theres lots of important information on an electrical installation certificate which may be useful in the future

OP firstly find out if the builder is registered with a body such as NICEIC or NAPIT. or if they subbed it out to an electrician, find out if the subbie is registered with either of them.

if you find out for example the builder subbed it out to XYZ electrical and they are registered with NAPIT, then get in touch with NAPIT and explain your situation they might be able to help

Doozergirl

Firstly, the builder is correct.  There has to be a certificate somewhere because you would not have been given a completion certificate from Building Control without them having a copy.  They insist upon it.  

That means that you could contact NAPIT and NICEIC and ask them if they have the record of the certificate.  One of them will and they can find it from your postcode.   They will email you a copy for about £12. 

Of course, your builder could do this in the first place...