NICEIC REPORT - feedback on remedial works costs

[Dartlec]

Seen this done loads of times with these decorative metal flat switches, they often don’t have a proper flex out point, so the sparks just squashed the flex under that plate or notches some of the plaster out to fish the flex behind the plate.
bear rough but seen this a hundred times or more

If it's the BG ones (maybe others), they actually have the flex point in the plastic behind too - just no hole in the metal. I assume that's because they use the same back bit on various models rather than they expect you to cut a hole in the front!

 

[westward10]

There was no need for the Report to quote this as separate issues. The cord is not suitably restrained from its local isolator leaving conductors exposed.

 

[nicebutdim]

There was no need for the Report to quote this as separate issues. The cord is not suitably restrained from its local isolator leaving conductors exposed.

It's the quotation for remedial works that mentions reterminating.

 

[DefyG]

quotation for remedial works that mentions reterminating.

It does but you cant re-terminate to something that is not fit for purpose in that there is no flex outlet point and doubt a means for restraining flex within......... It needs replacing.

 

[UNG]

I've had several people call and ask for EICR because they are selling, and were surprised when I pointed out it wasn't actually a legal requirement - presumably some estate agents are pushing this as a 'service' at a nice mark up...

It was quite common many years ago for solicitors doing the conveyancing to suggest the buyer got a PIR / EICR
In the mid 80's when I was buying my first house the solicitor was pushing the benefits of the PIR, she was not sure what to say when I pointed out that I knew all the potential issues with the installation and without lifting the floorboards they would not be found by paying for a PIR

 

[nicebutdim]

It does but you cant re-terminate to something that is not fit for purpose in that there is no flex outlet point and doubt a means for restraining flex within......... It needs replacing.

There's no question that it needs to be replaced, but the reason I raised the issue was because the quotation stated 're-terminate' for that outlet, but 'supply and fit' for the damaged surface box.

Perhaps it was a poorly worded quotation, but it does beg the question...

 

[Dustydazzler]

I bet my bottom dollar that they don't replace the chrome plated swi spur, they will just chop a bit of the wall out and fish the flex up into the back-box. Seen this done 100 times

 

[Dave OCD]

I wouldn't even have a switched/fused spur in a bathroom, regardless of zones and compliance. I much prefer the SFCU outside with a flex outlet plate adjacent to the towel rail.

 

[brianmoooore]

No idea where they came from or who made them, and they've been there for years, but on one of my shelves I have a couple of what I can only describe as 1G 10mm thick plastic 'spacers', with a cable outlet hole at the bottom, that are intended to sandwich between a plate and its mounting box.

 

[duckie]

I hope that is £950 and not £950k !!!

CORRECT, It is indeeds £950 and not £950k ..... which would be 2x the costs of the entire property !!! I might as well give the property keys to them for free !! I am actually in TW18 postcode so not proper London but still London pricing in most cases!

That towel rail connection is the result of poor workmanship and whoever doctored that 40A rcbo into that consumer unit have destroyed it beyond repair and now the whole unit needs replacing.

You hit the nail on the head. I had mentioned this in my initial intro posts when I joined the forum but long story short - hired a builder/contractor do all the jobs in the house on basis he would be getting proper professionals for each specific jobs - electricians for the wiring work, bathroom fitter for bathroom work and so on. It turned out he had a "Jack of all" foreman and assistants who was doing most of the work... so I fired them but not until most of the work was done. I then was left with getting other specialists to fix their "work" .... now with selling of the property I have to do part of the paperwork which asks for electrical work done in past 2 years - and if don then supply the certificates. I did not know that the certificates would be critical and required which the builder never provided when firing him - besides I was done dealing with him by then. We live and learn is the approach I have taken and hence trawling each specific trade forums and seeking opinions and unbiased feedback from the experts!!

As part of the sale the solicitor wanted me to give an "ECIR Test" stating quality of works hence the need for getting everything fixed to pass any test.

I think it's a bit unprofessional quoting for a new 'fuseboard' , very old terminology and it should at least specify whether it'll be a dual RCD or RCBO unit , also whether Surge Protection is or isn't included. But the price looks fair to me if they're quoting for an RCBO board with Surge Protection.

This is helpful and I will ask whoever is quoting for this job to very specific about the unit. (y)

Completely an inappropriate accessory for the job! ......... No suitable flex outlet on a flatplate design.

See above ... it was a bodge job and to make life easier I will be asking for this bathroom wiring to be removed and made "dead". The radiator is dual fuel and works with the central heating so remoing the electrics option wont hurt.

I've had several people call and ask for EICR because they are selling, and were surprised when I pointed out it wasn't actually a legal requirement - presumably some estate agents are pushing this as a 'service' at a nice mark up...

We are being asked more and more frequently for this - I think the mortgage lenders have cottened on to the fact that their 'surveyers' don't have a clue what they are talking about. (I'm buying another property to let at the moment, the surveyor said it is of a sandstone and brick construction - the whole road is made from limestone and brick - can't even tell the difference between 2 of the most common rock types)

It makes a lot of sense as a buyer to have one done (or factor in the cost of a new consumer unit), but I doubt it is a deciding factor in many purchases, just a haggle point.

Of course if they'd been included in the Home Information Pack as planned, then maybe things would be different by now. It may be something that insurance companies or mortgage companies make more or less a 'requirement' sooner rather than later I suspect.

Most surveys I've seen just say "the electrical installation should be checked by a qualified person" to cover themselves...

Its a standard clause now in the buyers declaration form for the solicitors. If there are no electric works certificates/installation certificates then EICR tests are asked to make sure the wiring are fine and safe.

If it's the BG ones (maybe others), they actually have the flex point in the plastic behind too - just no hole in the metal. I assume that's because they use the same back bit on various models rather than they expect you to cut a hole in the front!

They are the BG "screwless" ones which I chose for looks but quite difficult to fit if the walls are not even. My learning was that ones with screws would have been more apt but yes, the builders team did not do as good a job as they could have.

It does but you cant re-terminate to something that is not fit for purpose in that there is no flex outlet point and doubt a means for restraining flex within......... It needs replacing.

There's no question that it needs to be replaced, but the reason I raised the issue was because the quotation stated 're-terminate' for that outlet, but 'supply and fit' for the damaged surface box.

Perhaps it was a poorly worded quotation, but it does beg the question...

True and I will be asking this to be made "dead".

I have to says this is one of the most friendliest and HELPFUL trades forums I have experienced so far. You has reassured to my actual worry about my quote and that I might be getting "ripped off" with unnecessary works by the tester and his electrician mate.

Armed with all the feedback I aim to now get a few quotes - not sure if the forum rules allow members to pitch for work as I will be quite happy to get someone on here to give me a quote and do the job.

cheers and thanks a lot.