"Why do we bother" rant ...................

[Spoon]

Ok. A friend on mine had some sockets in her house with swapped polarity.
Her hubby Googled for an electrician.
They have come and spend 2 days fixing the problem. Hubby (or DC) would not tell his missus who he had got or what they were doing.
Yesterday the 'electricians' were round, fixing the problem. She had to leave work to chat with them. They have an unmarked van.
Now they have fixed the problem and given him the bill.

I have told my mate that they need a cert for the work done and not to pay until they get one.

She told hubby this and he's not bothered about a cert. The 'electricians' have told him he doesn't need a cert.

I have strongly advised them they need one. He's still not bothered about getting one.

WHY...... This makes me soooooooo frustrated... What a complete and utter d1ck cheese he is...

 

[andyb]

That's not very clear Spoon.
Do you mean she had reverse polarity in some sockets?, how did she know?
Did it take 2 days to sort out?
What does it say on the bill?

 

[Spoon]

Sorry Andy. Yes, its not very clear. The info I have been given is very limited and not that clear. I've given up trying to find out what has happened as my mates hubby is giving bugger all info out.
Story is: This is what I've been told......
They needed a lifeline button added. the lifeline installer said they has problems with their electrics, so couldn't install it.
The hubby googles for an electrician to come and fix the problem. Seems there are about 4 sockets upstairs with L & N swapped.
The electricians were there for 2 days. Not sure how long they were there for. Just that they were there yesterday and the day before.
I have told them they need a cert for the work. The hubby is not bothered about getting one. also, apparently, the electricians have told him he doesn't need one.

 

[andyb]

Does seem strange, I can't comment on the need for a cert as I don't know what they did exactly.
I will say that 2 days to sort out this problem seems excessive to me.

 

[Spoon]

I can't comment on the need for a cert as I don't know what they did exactly.

I presume that the affected socket wiring has been fixed. Then wouldn't they test the circuit? Therefore they would need a cert.
When would they not need a cert Andy?... The electricians may be right.

I will say that 2 days to sort out this problem seems excessive to me.

Only found out yesterday what the problem was. Until then all the hubby would tell his missus was "its complicated..."

 

[Midwest]

Does seem excessive, two days to fix swapped live & neutrals on four sockets. Perhaps it was more than that. problem with the RFC perhaps?

 

[Midwest]

Only found out yesterday what the problem was. Until then all the hubby would tell his missus was "its complicated..."

Does she know how much the bill is?

 

[Spoon]

Does seem excessive, two days to fix swapped live & neutrals on four sockets. Perhaps it was more than that. problem with the RFC perhaps?

Apparently they were having problems finding the fault. Had lots of floor boards up and stuff.

 

[Spoon]

Does she know how much the bill is?

£425

 

[andyb]

I think they've been had, how can a cable get it's polarity get reversed under the floorboards?
Even so, 2 days to lift a couple of boards? I've rewired houses in less time than that.
I'd love to know what was written on the invoice.

 

[Spoon]

I think they've been had, how can a cable get it's polarity get reversed under the floorboards?
Even so, 2 days to lift a couple of boards? I've rewired houses in less time than that.
I'd love to know what was written on the invoice.

That's if they have an invoice...

 

[Spoon]

I think they've been had, how can a cable get it's polarity get reversed under the floorboards?

It's what the Lifeline and electricians have said. Somehow 4 sockets have been b affected.
They have not touched the electrics since they have moved in. It seems the past woner was a bit of a DIYer... Not a good one...

 

[Loki]

I think they've been had, how can a cable get it's polarity get reversed under the floorboards?
Even so, 2 days to lift a couple of boards? I've rewired houses in less time than that.
I'd love to know what was written on the invoice.

Does sound like theyve been had from the info we've got.

A simple plug tester & a walk around checking would have found them quickly.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-k...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CNHglaqO3tUCFUWoUQoduacCcQ

 

[westward10]

Knowing whether they have been had or not can only be ascertained if we know the initial fault and the works required to remedy it.

 

[Spoon]

Does sound like theyve been had from the info we've got.

A simple plug tester & a walk around checking would have found them quickly. /QUOTE]

Finding the sockets was easy.. Apparently fixing where they were swapped over wasn't.

 

[Spoon]

Knowing whether they have been had or not can only be ascertained if we know the initial fault and the works required to remedy it.

Apparently the initial fault was swapped polarity on 4 upstairs sockets.
Not sure what work was carried out to fix the problem.

 

[Spoon]

duplicate post

 

[Ian1981]

Apparently the initial fault was swapped polarity on 4 upstairs sockets.
Not sure what work was carried out to fix the problem.

Perhaps they swapped over all the live and neutral connections in all the appliance plug tops.
Jobs a gud un

 

[Spoon]

I'm more curious why the electricians say they don't need a cert...

 

[westward10]

Apparently the initial fault was swapped polarity on 4 upstairs sockets.
Not sure what work was carried out to fix the problem.

With hubby being cagey about it maybe there was more to it.

 

[Spoon]

With hubby being cagey about it maybe there was more to it.

You never know... It's just frustrating... I'm just trying to help them out a bit.

 

[Octopus]

I'm more curious why the electricians say they don't need a cert...

To avoid any trace ability with HMRC.........

 

[Spoon]

Ok, please excuse my ignorance now but what should the general public ask for when they get an electrician to do some work?
I know they don't need to be part of a scheme.
So what would we ask to see?

 

[Octopus]

Ok, please excuse my ignorance now but what should the general public ask for when they get an electrician to do some work?
I know they don't need to be part of a scheme.
So what would we ask to see?

Stroma insisted on giving me a photo ID card .................. not sure why, its collecting dust in a drawer now.

Some clients want cheap, as possible ................ nothing else matters.....

 

[Spoon]

Does sound like theyve been had from the info we've got.

A simple plug tester & a walk around checking would have found them quickly.

Sorry mate. I've just got what you were getting at.. It's just me and my rubbish explanation.
Apparently the wire colours to the sockets were correct but the polarity was not. Somewhere the polarity had been changed. That's why they had the floor boards up.

 

[Midwest]

A fault with a RFC (or any circuit for that matter) can take some time to locate, unless you strike lucky, and certainly if a diy'er has been let loose with JB's a plenty under the floors. I'm not one of those that are emphatic that a certificate should be provided, every time you cross the threshold, but to fix a fault like this, would normally involve some testing, and certainly to prove it's all in order to re-energise. So I see no reason not to provide one, only other than what Murdoch was suggesting.

If you friend is being a bit cagey, perhaps he feels a bit embarrassed, if he feels he's been had over? Difficult to tell from here, as Westward suggested.

 

[Spoon]

A fault with a RFC (or any circuit for that matter) can take some time to locate, unless you strike lucky, and certainly if a diy'er has been let loose with JB's a plenty under the floors

That's why Ive been more concerned with them getting a cert.

 

[Risteard]

I really don't think that we're in a position to suggest that the electricians were in the wrong with next to no knowledge of the work involved.

 

[Spoon]

Update:
This is what they said they have done:

We've basically put a new supply and rcbo in and connected it to the house sockets which are now fault free. The original cable still has a fault on it. It has no load so it should be ok until you do the garage at which point it might be possible to trace it back and find the actual fault location. Anyway we've sorted it were others did not.

 

[Spoon]

Sounds like they have not fixed the problem but bypassed it.

 

[Spoon]

I really don't think that we're in a position to suggest that the electricians were in the wrong with next to no knowledge of the work involved.

I'm not trying to blame anyone mate. Just think that the electricians need to give them a cert for the work.

 

[Spoon]

Why do I feel like you guys are being sarkie when rating my post #30
Ok, I've stated the obvious....

 

[Wilko]

Update:
This is what they said they have done:

We've basically put a new supply and rcbo in and connected it to the house sockets which are now fault free. The original cable still has a fault on it. It has no load so it should be ok until you do the garage at which point it might be possible to trace it back and find the actual fault location. Anyway we've sorted it were others did not.

A new circuit, so it's an EIC and a Part P Buildings Approval needed, I'd have thought. Any evidence of testing?

 

[Wilko]

Duplicate deleted

 

[Spoon]

If I understand correctly, it's new circuit. So it's an EIC and a Part P Buildings Approval needed, I'd have thought. Any evidence of testing?

You are correct. It does sound like a new circuit.
Not sure what tests were carried out.

 

[westward10]

Any chance you are going to be able to investigate yourself.

 

[Spoon]

Any chance you are going to be able to investigate yourself.

Not sure mate. Not sure hubby want me interfering in what he is doing.
Its really hard to get info from him about this apparently.
All i can do is advise and see if he listens.....
I have offered to chat to the electricians. Get their side of what was discussed and what was actually said.
Half of me just wants to say 'sod you' and just leave him to it.....

 

[mattg4321]

Don't know why you're bothered to be honest!

 

[Loki]

Don't know why you're bothered to be honest!

Agree you can only help someone if their willing to accept it, you cant force them as they will get defensive.


Michael