I walked away

[sparks1234]

My son went to first fix a small extension today and his first thing he did was take a look at the bonding to the gas / water, well, there was none evident. We informed the house owner who did not like the idea of an extra bill to cover the cost of the install. The bonding is a bit of a devil because it is all the way round the other side of the house and it is a large detached. It would have to be done in black conduit externally.
They said they that they had electrical works done in the last few months by a company that I know is NIC approved.
They enquired if we were the "rolls royce" of electricians to be doing this and that everything had worked ok for may years.
Anyway, we walked away and they are going back to their previous electricians.

Frustration abounds

 

[pennywise]

The general public at large!bet the other contractor was more expensive as well.

 

[roukel01]

no offence to those hard working, honest NIC members, but times many I have been to a job with an NIC sticker slapped on the CU, and to be honest, I'd be ashamed to put my name against the work.

 

[Amp David]

Why arn't the non compliances with the regs fed back to the scheme providers. Surely if you here a story like this from a client, then the previous contractor isn't following the regs and should get his a r s e chewed by there provider.

Get shut of those taking the short cuts and not complying and it might make more work for the good honest guys out there.

 

[Staffie]

Anyway, we walked away and they are going back to their previous electricians.

Frustration abounds

Good move, I would have done the same!

Trouble is we all know work is a little tight at the moment and most of the public are aware of this too!. So, in their mind we're just trying to earn an extra dollar out of them by 'making work' for ourselves.

The other probelm we have to try an overcome is they wouldn't know the difference between a 'proper' spark like yourself, and a 'bodgit and scarper'!!!

You did the right thing mate...

 

[sparks1234]

Good move, I would have done the same!

Trouble is we all know work is a little tight at the moment and most of the public are aware of this too!. So, in their mind we're just trying to earn an extra dollar out of them by 'making work' for ourselves.

The other probelm we have to try an overcome is they wouldn't know the difference between a 'proper' spark like yourself, and a 'bodgit and scarper'!!!

You did the right thing mate...

Sorry but we were glad to see the back of piddly job as we are on 7 days a week at the moment.

I did say jokeingly though that our friends from eastern europe would not bether about bonding and the reply was "so we need to find some**** then"

 

[Darkwood]

Just report the previous company to the niceic, although not much gets done straight away- when there yearly inspection comes along their work will be scrutinised with a fine toothpick, and the will be asked to show the inspection report for review.

 

[sparks1234]

Just report the previous company to the niceic, although not much gets done straight away- when there yearly inspection comes along their work will be scrutinised with a fine toothpick, and the will be asked to show the inspection report for review.

Nothing would give me more pleasure particularly as I know they were chucked out the NIC once before but do I need the hassle as names will obviously get passed on..No I dont need it

 

[Darkwood]

Nothing would give me more pleasure particularly as I know they were chucked out the NIC once before but do I need the hassle as names will obviously get passed on..No I dont need it[/QUOTE
If the've been kicked out once it wont take much to raise concerns, when you ring ask if you can remain anonimous if not dont continue with complaint.

 

[sparky paul]

My son went to first fix a small extension today and his first thing he did was take a look at the bonding to the gas / water, well, there was none evident.

None evident at the gas meter and stopcock or at the met/cu aswell.

Just cause you cant see it doesnt mean its not there ,did you do a continuity test at the gas and water.

 

[sparks1234]

None evident at the gas meter and stopcock or at the met/cu aswell.

Just cause you cant see it doesnt mean its not there ,did you do a continuity test at the gas and water.

Believe me it wasnt there, neither at the pipes or the consumer unit or head.......non existent

Nothing would give me more pleasure particularly as I know they were chucked out the NIC once before but do I need the hassle as names will obviously get passed on..No I dont need it[/QUOTE
If the've been kicked out once it wont take much to raise concerns, when you ring ask if you can remain anonimous if not dont continue with complaint.

The point is that the company will ask the client ,

 

[Darkwood]

None evident at the gas meter and stopcock or at the met/cu aswell.

Just cause you cant see it doesnt mean its not there ,did you do a continuity test at the gas and water.

If you cant see it you must find it you must assume it isnt done, my gas pipes and water are all common to earth through the incomming lead and the boiler supply earth so relying on continuity isnt good enough.
Even if you have 10mm leaving consumer unit if you cant inspect it whats to say the clips are'nt loose corroded, been disconnected by joe plumber to mention but a few things.

 

[sparky paul]

Believe me it wasnt there,

Then you did the right thing,

 

[patricklondon]

nail em up

lets do a lynchin

 

[sparks1234]

Well now here's an update.

I was working on another job today for the same builder.

He has been in contact with the other electrical contractor and had a meeting on site, they do not recall the job, they cannot find any certificates to go with any works but are installing main bonding tomorrow free of charge.

Presumably then the only evidence is an invoice.

 

[Phil Mumford]

My understanding of it is that if the bonding MAY be present (i.e. leaving the consumer unit) then testing to verify is acceptable if noted correctly? I may be wrong.

One good idea the NICEIC promote is a pre printed statement (available to free to members but I am sure any electrical contractor could create something similar) which informs the potential client of the reasons why electrical work cannot be carried out if the bonding/earthing is not up to scratch. Very useful and people do believe it (or look into it) if it is printed.

Perhaps other bodies do something similar?

If the client will not agree to the upgrade if required then you did the right thing by walking away.

In this uncertain time is it possible electricians are doing the work for cash and no ticket?

"I was never here, understood?"

I reckon that accounts for most of the work carried out on installations with sub standard bonding/earthing.