Channel 4's Help My House is Falling Down Electrical Advice

[KoBe]

I'm glad to see so many of you are feeling quite strongly about this matter.

I thought the electrical industry had hit rock bottom but it seems it may now get worse.

It makes you wonder why we all pay for accreditations, insurances and keeping up with the wiring regulations, I guess it's just lucky that I and so many of you are so set in our ways for doing things properly and to the book.

I just wish there was a way of taking this further than just leaving a comment on the Channel 4 website that they will obviously just ignore!

 

[MarkieSparkie]

They could always call in 'Billy Bungle' from DIY SOS to sign the job off, after all it's probably better than his usual standard.

 

[Mark.W]

Why don't we all chip in and get an ad out on the tele explaining the dangers of DIY electrics! Lol that would be a laugh! Or maybe even a documentary!! 

 

[robsparky1975]

Think its time for a change of career,maybe i can retrain as a diy tv presenter.

 

[Mark.W]

Auditions will take place shortly! No experience needed!

 

[gutterball]

a few observations on their website instructions

"Unscrew the face plate and make a note of the wire connections to the earth, neutral and live terminals" we've all seen this before, the live was in the left on the old socket so it must be on the left in the new one.

"If you have plasterboard walls, you can use a plasterboard saw to enlarge the hole. Check the back box fits into the hole" no mention of a faster-fix box, they will struggle to fit that box to a stud wall.

"Fold the bare wire back on itself and pinch together with pliers. Twist together all the wires for a particular terminal" they will struggle to twist them together together if the wires have been folded over.

 

[KoBe]

Think its time for a change of career,maybe i can retrain as a diy tv presenter.

You could always study mouse poo! I bet the world and his wife don't want to do a short course and be one of those!

 

[Londonsparky]

I don't see a problem with clients chasing Walls ready for wires etc but leave the electrical work to the professionals

 

[robskiing]

Thats fair enough chasing in and knocking boxes out but the point is if you seen the programme is the pulling in of cables ie safe zones drilling of joists cable design etc they were doing all that apart from connecting up. They could have contributed some labour towards the retaining wall or just general dogsbody work .

 

[drew35]

Hopefully just the fact that she is a woman means nobody is really paying any attention!

Remember, behind every woman talking knowledgeably about building there is a man feeding her the lines!

Sorry the missus had Loose women on this morning and one brief glimpse is enough to make my blood boil. Always talking about equality when the only reason they have a program is for all the women sitting on their ever increasing ---'s watching TV, sucking down chocolate, and not going out to work!!!

Rant over.

 

[One_of_them]

I agree with what you all say however as you all know the only thing people care about is saving money. Therefore you could go out to quote and if they mention running in cables themselves, take another hr or so explaining exactly where you want stuff, that you want to see ALL cables runs so no plastering or refitting floors until all has been checked. Budget this extra time and inconvenience into your quote anyway. And then firmly explain that if they do not follow your exact instructions you will not continue the work and nor will probably anybody else?

 

[robskiing]

Just when you thought it was safe to turn the tele on out pops the NICEICs very own man Tony Cable . He made an appearance in tonights show i know it was probably recorded a few months ago but what a complete contrast from last week coincidence maybe make your own mind up but channel 4 has a more professional approach to when electrics need a proper look from a qualified electrician .

 

[SW1970]

This TV programme is awful. What's most interesting though is the amount of NICEIC coverage on this page...

Does Your House Need Rewiring? - Channel4 - 4Homes

Why has the NICEIC sold out like this? Surely any professional organisation would be standing up for a high ground position; not selling out to the efforts of DIYers. Oh yes, there it is, the public has to use an NICEIC registered electrician. Ah that old chestnut. Channel 4 is a commercial organisation - how much did the NICEIC pay? Hmmm. I bet we don't see too many changes to that web page as a result of comments from interested electricians; it's become an advertorial for the NICEIC. Next they'll be sponsoring multifunction testers being available from the Hire Shop. Thank goodness I can say with confidence that the body I belong to doesn't devalue it's own worth like this. BTW NICEIC, you get credibility in business from your peers, not from your customers. They just pay the bills.

 

[Octopus]

I looked at the above link and on the second page I found this quote "If you have used an NICEIC contractor you will also receive a six year insurance backed warrantee."

Surely this insurance is something that the customer has an "option" to buy into, I thought to be able to sell insurance you had to be registered!!

 

[SW1970]

Now there's a funny thing; my comment (and probably of others too) has been included on their webpage! It was about the competent persons website. Not even a teeny weeny drop of other change though, and certainly no mention of the other scheme providers.