New build compliance vs renovation compliance

[James Gordon]

Hi, a friend and I have recently built two new build properties. We have undertaken all of the electrical work ourselves. We need to get the electrics signed off to satisfy building control. Will an Electrical condition report be enough to satisfy them. Or, should we have used someone who is part P registered to do the job In full to comply with new build building regs?
We completed a renovation project in 2017 where we did all the work ourselves, including fitting an additional consumer unit. A company carried out a condition and passed it, we then issued the report and building control were satisfied with that. I can’t seem to find a straight answer to wether the rules differ between new builds and renovations!

Any help or guidance regarding my situation would be very helpful.

Cheers

James

 

[Flanders]

If you are using a 3rd party to certify work they need to inspect it at all the different stages of the installation not just at the end and you need an installation certificate not a condition report for A new installation .

 

[Baddegg]

Can’t you get the same company back James? Failing that you can do it yourself and pay building control approximately £400 to sign it off for you......might be a bit late though now if you’ve already installed
As above you’d need eic for new build/circuits

 

[James Gordon]

If you are using a 3rd party to certify work they need to inspect it at all the different stages of the installation not just at the end and you need an installation certificate not a condition report for A new installation .

I feared this maybe the case Flanders. Most of the works are still visible though. Don’t suppose you know anyone in the Oxfordshire area interested in being said third party?

 

[James Gordon]

Can’t you get the same company back James? Failing that you can do it yourself and pay building control approximately £400 to sign it off for you......might be a bit late though now if you’ve already installed
As above you’d need eic for new build/circuits

Baddegg. I’m yet to call them. I wanted to check wether it was a service they would offer.. sounds like it’s unlikely as We’ve carried out the works already. I’m guessing the building control route would lead to the same place... Need someone qualified to inspect and sign it off then!

 

[Baddegg]

I’m sure you’ll find a spark at a cost mate......

 

[Deleted member 26818]

If you are using a 3rd party to certify work they need to inspect it at all the different stages of the installation not just at the end and you need an installation certificate not a condition report for A new installation .

From what I understand, this Part P 3rd party certification, is nothing more than an EICR done after the work is completed.

 

[ipf]

From what I understand, this Part P 3rd party certification, is nothing more than an EICR done after the work is completed.

...and there's no way that can replace an EIC because it's not a full test of a new installation.

 

[rolyberkin]

A third party sign off is meant to be supervised from design through installation and culminating in inspect and test. Do you have completed test sheets for the work you have completed thus far? Plenty of photos of all cable routes and installation methods etc?

 

[James Gordon]

A third party sign off is meant to be supervised from design through installation and culminating in inspect and test. Do you have completed test sheets for the work you have completed thus far? Plenty of photos of all cable routes and installation methods etc?

Rolyberkin. None of the works have been tested as far (we were waiting until completion) All of the wiring is still visible in one of the two houses. The other is post-plaster. But can be accessed by lifting the floor boards in the right places and cutting out the plasterboard (not desirable, but possible) We’ve got one house fully open and everything is visible. The plastered house is a carbon copy of the one in which the wiring is still exposed. So this indicates the methods used. Any thoughts going forward?

 

[James Gordon]

From what I understand, this Part P 3rd party certification, is nothing more than an EICR done after the work is completed.

Spinlondon. How confident are you in this being the case? This is what we figured based on previous projects we’ve done to building control standards and they’ve been happy with an EICR upon completion.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

This is from NAPIT’s website:

Notification – The registered Electrical Certifier must be informed in advance of any proposed work they will be employed to certify before it begins. The work will need to be inspected by the registered electrical certifier at first fix and second fix, and to undergo final testing.

The Electrical Certifier will need to complete a Third Party Certifier’s Electrical Installation Report and submit this to NAPIT within 21 days of the date of the final inspection, either via email or post, before the work is notified. The Third Party Certifier’s Electrical Installation Report will be audited by NAPIT before the work is certified as compliant with the Building Regulations. On completion NAPIT will update the relevant Local Authority.

Electrical Certifiers are not permitted to certify work retrospectively under this compliance route.

 

[telectrix]

surely a new build is subject to planning permission and inspected at stages by BC. this should include the electrical installation.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

This is from the Approved Document P:

Certification by a registered third party
3.5 Before work begins, an installer who is not a registered competent person may appoint a registered third-party certifier to inspect and test the work as necessary.
3.6 Within 5 days of completing the work, the installer must notify the registered third-party certifier who, subject to the results of the inspection and testing being satisfactory, should then complete an electrical installation condition report and give it to the person ordering the work.
NOTE: The electrical installation condition report should be the model BS 7671 form or one developed specifically for Part P purposes.
3.7 The registration body of the third-party certifier must within 30 days of a satisfactory condition report being issued do both of the following.
a. Give a copy of the Building Regulations compliance certificate to the occupier.
b. Give the certificate, or a copy of the information on the certificate, to the building control
body.

 

[Flanders]

I feared this maybe the case Flanders. Most of the works are still visible though. Don’t suppose you know anyone in the Oxfordshire area interested in being said third party?

Sorry don't no anyone , I think it all depends on different councils some may except an EICR, some may give in after time and except one , others will insist on an EIC , but as you say all the cables are still exposed then I would say you have a beter chance of someone signing off the work for you.

 

[rolyberkin]

Rolyberkin. None of the works have been tested as far (we were waiting until completion) All of the wiring is still visible in one of the two houses. The other is post-plaster. But can be accessed by lifting the floor boards in the right places and cutting out the plasterboard (not desirable, but possible) We’ve got one house fully open and everything is visible. The plastered house is a carbon copy of the one in which the wiring is still exposed. So this indicates the methods used. Any thoughts going forward?

I must admit I was being facetious! I would recommend you speak to your BCO and discuss your situation and ask their advice (they like that!) most councils will allow you to commission an EICR at your cost and pay an additional regularisation of works charge to comply with building regs.

 

[mattg4321]

I bet you won't have too much trouble, even if it means extra cost to get the local BCO to accept an EICR in place of an EIC. It's wrong and it winds me up, but thats the way it will probably go.

Out of interest do you have a 'new build insurer' such as NHBC? If it were to be NHBC, those guys are IMO very very picky. They won't like an EICR at all.

 

[jackhammerJIM]

Are these new builds going up for sale or are they your new homes ?

You may well get an EICR through building control but will it get through a buyers solicitor ???

 

[Baddegg]

No offence intended here op, but it seems a bit of a rookie mistake for someone that’s built a few houses?

 

[James Gordon]

Ok great. Thanks to everyone that’s responded and given advice, much appreciated!!
Also, if you’re a willing third party that’s after some work, let me know. Cheers everyone