I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciated.

[VinceS]

Hi All,


So far I've had two electricians tell me the electrics in our house are the worst they've ever seen. The funny thing is, there is a BS5499-1:2002 consumer unit installed.


First the pictures: http://vsamios.co.uk/pics.pdf


Some backstory: We had a homebuyers report done before buying a property which noted the electrics had had "recent upgrading" - presumably because there is a new consumer unit.


We received an electrical certificate for "test newly installed shower circuit" on an NICEIC form with declaration signed with the notes: "ZE = 0.91, maximum ZS reading is too high, no mechanical protection on shower cable in cupboard"


I've checked with NICEIC, ELECSA and the local councils building control, there is absolutely no record of any works being notified.


I suspect the previous owner did the work himself... and he defo wasn't an electrician.


I'm wondering what if any recourse there is on an unqualified person doing electrical work. I'm also wondering if the electrician who "tested the shower circuit" is responsible for not flagging up issues such as rubber cables going into the consumer unit/other major obvious faults in the house.


Any help hugely appreciated and I hope you enjoy the pictures.

 

[telectrix]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

agree with the 2 sparks. ... it's a mess. just from the pics, i'd recommend a total rewire. i'm not too far away, and spartykus is in the bottom end of shropshire. we work well together, not throw hammers at each other, be happy to quote you.

 

[Darkwood]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

As you bought the house it was up to you to have an electrical inspection done before purchasing and then negotiate the full rewire off the asking price. I take it you didn't.

You will get nowhere trying to find blame on anyone who may have fitted, added or altered any electricals in the recent past ... regardless if the work is 1yr or 10yr you bought the house as seen and lack of inspection would be on your shoulders so don't start trying to point the finger here and hoping for something positive because you'll be wasting your time and will achieve more by flogging a dead horse.

Yes its in poor condition, if the tough rubber is still in use then this is already 30+ yrs overdue for a rewire..

Im afraid you are left with a awkward rewire looking at the building design and the responsibility lies on your shoulders.. that is unless the sellers/estate agents has specifically said that the wiring was ok (which i doubt) ..... as so much of this is glaringly obvious even to an untrained eye - what exactly were you doing when you went for a viewing?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

That my friend is bad!! Not the worst I have seen surprisingly but very very close!! A mark of a quality spark is a Harock/Chint board!!

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Oh and I would jump on tells offer for a quote.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Thanks mate

 

[Badged01]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

From the pics the wiring looks a bit of a mess, put mildly!

My advise to you would be that before you consider doing anything get someone like Tel (or other local spark who knows what he is doing) in to do a EICR for you. This will establish exactly what the condition/state of your electrics are.

Once you've done that you can decide upon the work requirements going forward!

 

[Pete999]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Ouch I agree with all the others who have answered. lots of issues that are bad a complete rewire is called for, sorry for the bad news but jeez

 

[londonlec]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

The previous owner should never have had a new consumer unit fitted on that.

 

[GMES]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Yes that is bad bad bad, but on a lighter note did you by any chance get a new camera for Christmas! 45 photos lol

 

[ImpededLoop]

It certainly looks like it needs rewiring!

I don't think you'd have any come back with the previous owner. The wiring is clearly visible so they have not tried to hide anything.

Looks like a nice old house. I hope the plumbing is in better condition than the wiring. If not, it would be best to get that done as well and get all of the messy work out of the way in one go.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Teletrix is a cracking plumber as well.

 

[kingeri]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

That is bad, haven't seen so many examples of bodged up turd under one roof in a long while!

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Teletrix is a cracking plumber as well.

Aye .... just as long as it isn't underflloor heating, but he knows who to ask to hold his hand.

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That is bad, haven't seen so many examples of bodged up turd under one roof in a long while!

You have such a nice way with words.

Were you Grammar School educated by any chance?

 

[Darkwood]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

From the pics the wiring looks a bit of a mess, put mildly!

My advise to you would be that before you consider doing anything get someone like Tel (or other local spark who knows what he is doing) in to do a EICR for you. This will establish exactly what the condition/state of your electrics are.

Once you've done that you can decide upon the work requirements going forward!

You really think it needs an EICR .. why spend money to be told what we all already know ...nothing to salvage there!

 

[MDJ]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Aye it is just old and needs upgrading, best way is a rewire, how many beds and reception rooms are there fella?

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You really think it needs an EICR .. why spend money to be told what we all already know ...nothing to salvage there!

Why Not, money for old rope lol haha, seriously it is a rewire end of.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

That is bad, haven't seen so many examples of bodged up turd under one roof in a long while!

You have such a nice way with words.

Were you Grammar School educated by any chance?

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

You have such a nice way with words.

Were you Grammar School educated by any chance?

Posted that twice, your heads going!

 

[telectrix]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

it's got a medical term.... geordie gaga.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Posted that twice, your heads going!

I know!

Dunno what happened there, but I spotted it & deleted it, but it's still there!!!

 

[MDJ]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

I know!

Dunno what happened there, but I spotted it & deleted it, but it's still there!!!

the site is the issue, it is pants if you try to use it with IE, Just pants, try using Firefox for this site, it actually works then LOL

 

[telectrix]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

hah, like a boil on your arse. you know it's there, but you can't get rid.

 

[Clive P]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Hi,

As others have said, the wiring is a disaster. From memory , a Homebuyers report is a report carried out by the lender to confirm whether or not they will lend the money to the purchaser for that property. It doesn't act as a survey, unlike a structural survey or report. I may be wrong, but that's how I remember it. Basically what I am saying is, you would be hard pushed to put the blame on them for their report.

Regards.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

the site is the issue, it is pants if you try to use it with IE, Just pants, try using Firefox for this site, it actually works then LOL

I was using Firefox for a long time, then foolishly changed to Chrome for about a year then on the recommendation of our friendly Zulu Moderator here switched to Opera. Not sure If I like it, but I will never use Internet Explorer.

 

[telectrix]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

you're correct. the lender is only interested that the value of the property, if repossessed, will get his money back.

 

[MDJ]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

recommendation of our friendly Zulu Moderator here switched to Opera. .

He is still gleaming after Rorkes Drift

 

[telectrix]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

only problem i have with opers is youtube. it tells me i need adobe flash player to view. i alrerady have it and youtube works OK on firefox, but not opera.also, the "type mathematical symbols" won't work with opera.

 

[Paul.M]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

My wife is not a trained electrician but even she spotted all the faults in the photos. I/we have seen all these things before, but never in the same house!!!


Fist time I've ever said this before on a forum just going by pictures.... ITS TIME FOR A REWIRE....... That house is an accident waiting to happen. Hope your house insurance covers you?


Telectrix is one (if not the) Best electricians on this forum. If I was unable to carry out my own house rewire, I would employ this mans expertise, you wont go wrong. (No bum kissing in saying that, we all know Tel and who better to have working in your home?)

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

only problem i have with opers is youtube. it tells me i need adobe flash player to view. i alrerady have it and youtube works OK on firefox, but not opera.also, the "type mathematical symbols" won't work with opera.

Yes, I noticed the flash player message that it keeps chucking up .. BUT if you ignore it and wait a few seconds the message disappears and it does play - at least it does for me.

Mathematical symbols?? ... never heard of them - Hi-Hat, Crash, Ride etc. I am familiar with - they usually come as a package with a Neanderthal with sticks.

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

My wife is not a trained electrician but even she spotted all the faults in the photos. I/we have seen all these things before, but never in the same house!!!


Fist time I've ever said this before on a forum just going by pictures.... ITS TIME FOR A REWIRE....... That house is an accident waiting to happen. Hope your house insurance covers you?


Telectrix is one (if not the) Best electricians on this forum. If I was unable to carry out my own house rewire, I would employ this mans expertise, you wont go wrong. (No bum kissing in saying that, we all know Tel and who better to have working in your home?)

I am more than happy to second that.

 

[MDJ]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

You cannot better firefox for v bullitin websites IMO and IME, Opera is okay but not as good, I hope our zulu here dosen't throw a spear at me for this post.

 

[dingledong]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

mate i think ypur so bloody picky the only thing i can see thats bad is the chimese cook book
i have been on a 3 day course so if you need certification let me know

 

[Geordie Spark]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

You cannot better firefox for v bullitin websites IMO and IME, Opera is okay but not as good, I hope our zulu here dosen't throw a spear at me for this post.

No fear of that Mark ..... he's had an upgrade and the spear has been replaced by a gun. ;-)

 

[MDJ]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

No fear of that Mark ..... ;-)

:dita:

 

[ipf]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

mate i think ypur so bloody picky the only thing i can see thats bad is the chimese cook book
i have been on a 3 day course so if you need certification let me know

That's a course in chimese cookery, I take it. :1:

 

[snowhead]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Given the obvious age of the property I think there will be far worse things to worry about.

Before spending money on a rewire the property needs a full structural survey to highlight any problems which may require attention before rewiring is carried out.
And a full asbestos survey.

Whilst asbestos cement sheeting as shown in the photos poses little hazard itself, it restricts what work can be around it.

A lot of thought and even more compromises are going to have to be made to rewire and possibly replumb the property.

 

[dingledong]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

withspartycus and telectrix doing the rewiring dont bother about the asbestos

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ipf yes its chinese cooking but done in the chimney

 

[Sintra]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

All I want to know is why would you buy a gaff in a state like that unless you where planning a full restoration.

 

[Octopus]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Was the inspection done by Stevie Wonder?

 

[ipf]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

Was the inspection done by Stevie Wonder?

Well, 'For once in my life', I'm stumped.:shades_smile:

 

[dingledong]

Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat

id say everything is alright