Bad positioning or too fussy?

[sehs527]

I'm a homeowner and looking for some advice. We have taken on a house renovation and had an electrician do a rewire. The second fix has just been done with socket faces now on etc. We've spent a little extra on faceplates but I'm not happy with the positioning with some of the sockets/switches. Thankfully most are ok but there are a few grouped together that are all spaced differently and it looks messy (pictured on studded walls): The fan switches are different heights (one I can reach the other I can't), they're different distances away from the door way/architrave.

I asked the electrician about it and understandably it's hard to be accurate during the first fix and I guess stud wall frames can affect positioning. Just wondering what you guys think?

 

[brianmoooore]

It looks like he made a poor job of estimating where the centre of that narrow piece of wall would be after it was plastered and the door trim in place. Sort of thing that comes with experience.
Fan switches are for maintenance only, and are exactly where I would have placed them. Both look the same height to me.

 

[Dustydazzler]

A little untidy and as above probably got his gestimated positons just a bit off

It would not take long to move the socket over a bit and make good , but is it really worth the hassle ?

 

[Des 56]

We are all good at blowing our own trumpet and with many years of experience can throw a critical eye at most insallations
We could also know very well what a good and aesthetically pleasing installation should entail

Throwing my critical eye ate the installation I have come to 2 conclusions
Number 1 is unless you take care to get accessories sited well the installation can look a little amateurish
No 2 is unless you see various installation standard its difficult for that person to know good from bad, that includes electricians as well as others

If I were to site boxes for a switch on a stud wall, I generally use 5 inches from the start of the frame for my distance,( estimate the door lining width when no frame is fitted)
Any socket below would start at exact same distance be it a single or double

I have a habit (good or bad) of looking at items for level spacing and symmetry
In my own installations I make sure that trait is strictly followed and items are level spaced uniformly and symmetrical
Having stated the above, the photos are not anything unique to the the electrical industry

 

[brianmoooore]

There might also be more to this than we, or the OP, knows. It's not unknown for a chippy to revisit and move or widen his door aperture slightly, after first fix of the electrics has been completed.

 

[ferg]

Stud walls can have timbers in all sorts of daft places, making it impossible to get ideal spacings without hacking into the stud work.

Often it's a compromise.

 

[brianmoooore]

If there's a stud in the way, in a place where the correct positioning is important, such as the narrow wall in question, I either make sure the chippy doesn't put it there in the first place, or cut in a couple of trimmers, above and below, and remove the offending piece of stud.

 

[timhoward]

He may have also not anticipated the style of architrave, and if there have been another inch of plaster between socket and frame it would instantly look better. I've seen a heck of a lot worse and from the surface you can't see what the other trades did to scupper the job!
Why not simply say that it's bothering you and can he can move the socket over a bit? Worst case, swapping to a single would look better if there's something in the way.

 

[UNG]

If there's a stud in the way, in a place where the correct positioning is important, such as the narrow wall in question, I either make sure the chippy doesn't put it there in the first place, or cut in a couple of trimmers, above and below, and remove the offending piece of stud.

Interested to know how you do that if the wall is already boarded and skimmed

 

[Julie.]

I think the answer to the op is yes!

If you specified where they were to be ie sockets halfway between door and corner, light switches 8" from doorframe etc then it is bad positioning.

If it was a more generic as in to the right of the door frame, etc, then you can't really complain, and it is a bit fussy.

In saying that, it looks like they just put the back boxes alongside wherever the joists were (wouldn't be surprised if they were just screwed into the joist at the side/top/ or bottom) which I would consider somewhat lazy and rough.

Personally, I (and I suspect most on here) would try to be consistent, and try to place fittings in aesthetically pleasing positions.

 

[brianmoooore]

Interested to know how you do that if the wall is already boarded and skimmed

I generally first fix before either, as I expect most others do.

 

[telectrix]

and consider if the dry wall fitters had cut the holes. some would be in the next county, let alone in line.

 

[UNG]

I generally first fix before either, as I expect most others do.

But it is not always possible in an existing wall, although I suppose you just chop the plasterboard off the studs and leave it for someone else to sort out at their cost

 

[mainline]

Anyone else use these.

Electrical Socket Back Box Template With Vertical And Horizontal Spirit Levels | eBay

INTEGRATED SPIRIT LEVELS - You will appreciate the ease of positioning back boxes due to the integrated spirit levels. Two - horizontal and vertical - levels will enable you to perfectly position socket boxes.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[JBW175]

Anyone else use these.

Electrical Socket Back Box Template With Vertical And Horizontal Spirit Levels | eBay

INTEGRATED SPIRIT LEVELS - You will appreciate the ease of positioning back boxes due to the integrated spirit levels. Two - horizontal and vertical - levels will enable you to perfectly position socket boxes.

www.ebay.co.uk

Nah, they don’t look that great to be fair.

I normally use my laser level, then mark up and ask the client if they’re happy with the positions before I start chopping out.

 

[mainline]

Nah, they don’t look that great to be fair.

You don't leave them on the wall

 

[nicebutdim]

Anyone else use these.

Electrical Socket Back Box Template With Vertical And Horizontal Spirit Levels | eBay

INTEGRATED SPIRIT LEVELS - You will appreciate the ease of positioning back boxes due to the integrated spirit levels. Two - horizontal and vertical - levels will enable you to perfectly position socket boxes.

www.ebay.co.uk

Can't see what it would bring to the party.

 

[mainline]

Can't see what it would bring to the party.

They do save a bit of time, especially when used in conjunction with a laser level.

But each to their own

 

[SparkySy]

Yes I use a draper one that does both single and twin it's not as big as the one you linked to, and it is very handy especially if used with a laser. Good in big kitchens ect, then just fly round with the multi cutter! Template even has the center marked.
Perfect size for dry line boxes and metal KO boxes.

like this. Didn't pay that much for it though!
Sy

Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level 798256149504 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[mainline]

Yes I use a draper one that does both single and twin it's not as big as the one you linked to, and it is very handy especially if used with a laser. Good in big kitchens ect, then just fly round with the multi cutter! Template even has the center marked.
Perfect size for dry line boxes and metal KO boxes.

like this. Didn't pay that much for it though!
Sy

Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level 798256149504 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Draper 63955 Electrical Socket Back Box Template Cutter Level at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

I have that one as well, but find having a vertical level is sometimes handy