What do you ask an electrician?

hev_2

Thank you Weston Dave - I never thought of getting anything else added.

The people who originally had this house wired up got very giddy with the power points - there's usually a minimum of six in each room.

Having an extra light fitting so I can see the stairs properly and an external power point would make a great difference.

Initially I started this thread to see whether I just went ahead and got everything done or whether I needed to get some sort of inspection done first. I am really grateful for all the help and advice I have received that has really opened my eyes to all sorts of other stuff.

This forum is brilliant.

Dick_here

We had one guy do a full rewire last year. Apart from the the first day when there were two of them, he did it alone. It took him 4 days (final day was testing etc only though) for a 2 bed bungalow. It is a messy job though, having to chase down the walls etc, you continually have to move things out of the way, and it leaves a bit of re-decorating to do afterwards. So I'm pleased it was done within the week. Cost around £1800.

olly300

Unfortunately lots of workmen under quote the time it takes. So get recommendations where you can for workmen who actually quote the time it takes and stick close to their time approximation.

I had some extra sockets put in by 2 electrictrians and they thought they could do it in a day. They didn't take in to account that when I said my internal walls where brick not plaster and I had concrete floors I was telling the truth and this is why they were employed in the first place. (I would have done it myself with help from a mate if they were not so solid..) Mind you they did look physically ill half way through the day from all that drilling. In the end it took a day and a half.

Saying that the plaster stated it would take a full day to plaster a room and it took him and 3 apprentices 3.5 hours with a break.

hev_2

I'll definitely be looking for recommendations.

For me, time taken is actually more of a factor than the mess - I have a little son who by the time I've saved up enough for this will be an active toddler. I will be worried sick about him staying safe and I can do without that for weeks on end!

carolinosourus

Good luck with everything! Just please please make sure you get a quote in writing, my mum's just had her bathroom done, didn't get a written quote for everything (eg the tiling), the guy finished it and sent her the bill, she thought that he said £20psm for tiling but he charged her £30psm! Obv if she had a written quote then she would have been able to budget slightly better and there would be no confusion over what the guy said!

Edit: I just assumed that she would have got a written quote so didn't even think to ask her if she had... She's learnt!

dikvdyke

The leccy we had round was spot on. He told us we needed a proper consumer unit (fuse box ), that was also adequately earthed for the whole house. He saved us money by replacing the wiring for the lighting that was desperately in need of replacing, but kept the sockets as these were in good shape. He kept the damage to just lifting carpets and threading the new wiring using the old one.#