Re: I bought a house - major electrical problems. Great pics inside, advice appreciat
All - thanks for your comments (positive and negative, everything helps at this stage)
I've tried to answer as many questions as possible below - I fully accept I was a bit of a plonker with viewing etc, hopefully the below gives a little more context/information.
One question I didn't see comments on (appologies if I missed them) were the implications of somebody carrying out DIY electrical works some time between 2002 and 2008.
And I would be more than happy to accept your offer to quote - I've had two electricians come to quote only to opt-out because it's too complicated. We've had one quote for a full-rewire and making good. I'll PM you.
as so much of this is glaringly obvious even to an untrained eye - what exactly were you doing when you went for a viewing?
I'm a first time buyer and to be totally honest the viewing was quite overwhelming. Like a bambi in headlights. I can't remember much else about the house from the viewing either.
to do a EICR for you. This will establish exactly what the condition/state of your electrics are.
We're resigned to the fact it will require a total rewire from scratch, and a complex one at that. All three electricians who've seen the place agreed it would be best to wire all rooms from the loft-down (including the ground floor) due to the lack of a floor cavity in 2/3rds of the house.
The previous owner should never have had a new consumer unit fitted on that.
I suspect it was a DIY job, which is surely illegal. What is standard practice/recourse with illegal work like this being done?
.
Looks like a nice old house. I hope the plumbing is in better condition than the wiring.
It has "character" (although I use that term with a frustrated sigh these days) but the plumbing is good thankfully.
Aye it is just old and needs upgrading, best way is a rewire, how many beds and reception rooms are there fella?
3 Bed, Lounge, Dining, Kitchen, 1 bath, Garage and a small loft room.
All I want to know is why would you buy a gaff in a state like that unless you where planning a full restoration.
Ignorance and inexperience I guess... everything else has a lot of life left in it.
I assume that the property has other redeeming features that offset the need for professional asbestos removal and an obvious re-wire?
It does have redeeming features - 180 degree views of over 40 miles including the Wrekin and Wenlock Edge. A gorgeous inglenook, all three bedrooms are huge. I went in thinking it was an amazing purchase, now I'm not so certain, but I still love the good bits. The only asbestos in the property is the Asbestos Concrete ceiling sheets, and I'm happy (and legally able) to deal with those myself. P3 mask, Type 5 Overalls, wetting agent, etc.
i think he's mistra know it all by what he,s asking
I think the opposite - I've been trying to absorb what everyone is saying but came here to try to clarify a few things and ask a bit of advice. I've been strugling through since August trying to understand everything.
where in shropshire are you?
North East corner
cant see why op is trying to blame surveyor or previous owner its so bad he must have seen it prior to purchase only his self to blame imho
As above - we only viewed two properties before choosing to buy one - we were both inexperienced and not neccessarily mentally present. This is why we paid experts (surveyors) to do a more comprehensive report than the standard valuation, although not a full survey. The surveyors comments were.. get this...
"A degree of upgrading has been carried out"
An electrician was hired 7 days prior to completion to fulfil our request for an electrical certificate for the upgrading - I suspect that electrician was aware of the problems and said "the only thing I can certify is the shower circuit"
The solicitor didn't provide us with the "electrical certificate" until after we completed.
We may have been a bit stupid, I accept that, but the professionals we paid to mitigate our ignorance seem to have screwed up themselves.
certainly knew where to point the camera...
Only since having 3 electricians out.
I'm wondering why everything is surface, this could could well cost you a good amount of extra money on rewiring if it all needs to go back surface
I'm getting the impression that you are regretting buying this property and looking for some recourse for the the cost of repairs/rewire etc, unfortunately i think you're going to be out of luck!! !!
There is no floor cavity in 2/3rds of the house, presumably hence the surface wiring. Although I get the impression even then it defies logic. Much of the upstairs wiring is clearly a DIY add-on.
I'm not regretting buying the property, but I definitely feel frustrated as heck and a bit let down by the professionals involved.
He's probably regretting posting on here. Not posted again. I don't think he likes that fact that no one is on his side.
I was out for the evening - I'm here hoping for some advice, not judgement one way or another. (ie. on my side or not)
Fingers crossed he's got deep pockets for his renovation and rewire.
Everything went to the deposit unfortunately. Even a rewire on an average property would be painful, rewiring this thing is crippling.
Not posted again. I don't think he likes that fact that no one is on his side.
