Advice wanted - unhappy with rewire

[Sarah123]

Hi all

Hoping I could get some independent advice on here. We've just bought our first property and had to get a full house rewire on the property (3 bed semi). Our electricians had finished the work within 2 days (2 electricians working on it). When asked when they were coming back, they said they didn't need to come back for a second fix as they'd finished it all. As we didn't know any better, we assumed all was fine and paid up because that said they wouldn't give paperwork till payment was made.

Since then, we have had a few issues. Our plasterer has been really surprised at the poor standard of work - they have had to plaster around all sockets and spotlights in kitchen.

1. The holes made to put in the sockets are generally quite a bit larger than the face of the external socket casing.
2. One of the sockets had a loose wire that was not connected when the plasterer was plastering around.
3. Another socket melted the builder's plug (smoke coming out as well), but didn't activate the trip switch.
4. An armoured cable they put in to light the garage is coming out of the consumer unit and through the floorboards in the bedroom in front of (rather than behind) the skirting board.
5. No paperwork 3 weeks after despite chasing him for this before everything else happened.

Would really appreciate any feedback as not sure if these are common or we really are within our rights to be taking this further? We tried contacting the electrician a couple of days ago, but he's not able to come till Monday evening, but his general response is telling me that he's blaming the plasterer's work.

Thanks!

 

[Baddegg]

Got any pics Sarah?

 

[Midwest]

As in all these things, you have to allow the tradesperson to finish their work.

 

[telectrix]

i have a mate in Leeds. NICEIC approved contractor, who hates seeing. shoddy work by cowboys. if you want, I can ask him to call and give you an unbiassed opinion.

 

[Sarah123]

Hi baddegg - good idea!


armoured cable in front of skirting board


wire disconnected


A couple of examples of cutting around sockets.



Melted plug socket

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Sarah123]

As in all these things, you have to allow the tradesperson to finish their work.

Thanks midwest- they've finished and it's been paid for. It doesn't sound like they want to do much else from the response we've had so far.

 

[Midwest]

i have a mate in Leeds. NICEIC approved contractor, who hates seeing. shoddy work by cowboys. if you want, I can ask him to call and give you an unbiassed opinion.

Somewhat jumping the gun, are we not?

 

[Sarah123]

i have a mate in Leeds. NICEIC approved contractor, who hates seeing. shoddy work by cowboys. if you want, I can ask him to call and give you an unbiassed opinion.

Thanks Telectrix - will see what happens and if we need to take it further, will message.

 

[Midwest]

Hi baddegg - good idea!

View attachment 47960
armoured cable in front of skirting board

View attachment 47961
wire disconnected

View attachment 47962
A couple of examples of cutting around sockets.
View attachment 47963

View attachment 47964
Melted plug socket

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Whilst not pretty, we've seen worse. Have you put forward your concerns?

 

[telectrix]

not after seeing those pics. SWA in front of skirting board, ans did they use a JCB to cut out the sockets?

 

[Midwest]

Thanks midwest- they've finished and it's been paid for. It doesn't sound like they want to do much else from the response we've had so far.

You said 'We tried contacting the electrician a couple of days ago, but he's not able to come till Monday evening'.

 

[telectrix]

it all looks arse about face to me. why have they fitted sockets before filling and plastering has been done?

 

[Midwest]

not after seeing those pics. SWA in front of skirting board, ans did they use a JCB to cut out the sockets?

Not being funny, but the rest of the refurbishment looks rubbish as well, including the plasterer who seems to be slagging off to the client about the electrics.

 

[Baddegg]

As others have said not tidy but not as bad as it could be and in the sparks defence the loose wire could’ve been caused by anyone moving that socket front.....did you agree to him second fixing before the spreads had been in?

 

[Sarah123]

You said 'We tried contacting the electrician a couple of days ago, but he's not able to come till Monday evening'.

Yes I sent a detailed message with all the concerns and a couple others. He said the plasterer probably pulled out the wire while plastering and it's necessary to remove that much wall to get to sockets. He didn't respond to the other points, but like I said he's coming over Monday. I just want to know whether we should be arguing this on Monday or we're just clueless first time homebuyers! Is it normal to not do a second fix?

 

[Sarah123]

As others have said not tidy but not as bad as it could be and in the sparks defence the loose wire could’ve been caused by anyone moving that socket front.....did you agree to him second fixing before the spreads had been in?

No - he just told us it wasn't necessary... not knowing any different, we went along with it.

 

[Baddegg]

Well I wouldn’t second fix till after the spreads been in, but not unheard off.......unless you like ya sockets full of gypsum

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

the holes might not be the tidiest but in fairness some walls when you chase them out crumble and lumps come out. the chasing doesn't look that bad to be fair from what I can see on the cable runs.
what was specified or agreed with how the armoured cable will be installed as from what i see the reason its in front the skirting board is because it comes out directly above from the consumer unit. even if behind it will still need to come out the wall a few inches below the bottom.

 

[plugsandsparks]

That wire that has come out could well be live !!

I dont do domestic, but when i did, it was traditional to do first fix before the plasterer and 2nd fix after, painting could be done before 2nd fix or after, i preferred after because i am a bit nervous about marking the paint when 2nd fixing, its so easy to do.
Others may well comment on whether this method of 1st and 2nd fix before plastering is progress in the industry

 

[Andy78]

The second fix has been done. That is the connection of all the accessories, testing, and energising.

This should not have been done ahead of the plastering but that is down to what arrangements were in place between you and all trades.

You should have received an EIC and building control paperwork.... keep pestering them for this, all in written form, and if they ignore you it's time to get in touch with trading standards and/or the scheme that your electrician belongs to.