No Certificate For New Electrics And Local Authority Demands

[Guitarist]

Are you sure he was NIC registered? It seems loads of people claim to be, and even put the logo on their stationary and van, but it turns out they're not.

 

[Guest55]

No. We are a contractor (general builder) who sub-contracted this sparky.

We have since let the homeowner (our client) know of the current situation. Thankfully they are more than sympathetic and are giving us the time to find a good solution.

to be honest , the battle with the council needs to taken up by the property owner
theres only so much you the contractor can do.
have planning fees been paid for the conversion ?
if they have i wouldnt be handing over a penny more.

 

[Guitarist]

labc do seem to get confused , which is a worry.... they all ways insist on timer fans too which acording to the elctricians guide to the build regs are only needed if the bathroom does not have a openable window

All depends who you speak to at BC.....which is even more of a worry. They seem to know as much about the regs as many of the "experienced, fully qualified electricians" we get on here at times....

 

[telectrix]

i can't understand why they want any certificate if the electrical work is non-notifiable. the home owner should have a Minor Electrical Works Installation Certificate, but that's all.

 

[Guitarist]

That was 2 months ago and we have not received the certificate or paid him despite countless phone calls on his mobile and landline, emails and text messages. All of his telephones ring (without immediately forwarding to voicemail) and his emails do not bounce. We simply cannot get hold of him.

A fellow Electricians Forums member proposed we have an Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR) undertaken, for a fee of £150. He said that this situation is not uncommon (!?) and he has never had a Local Authority refuse an EICR in such scenarios.

Surely you are quids-in even if you do have to pay £380, as you haven't had to pay the sparky.
Btw, make sure you speak to the senior officer at LBC.

 

[telectrix]

They seem to know as much about the regs as many ....

but they allow plumbers and builders to get away with murder.

 

[Guest55]

this sort of offialdom nonsense makes me puke.
theyre totally clueless.

 

[Guitarist]

i can't understand why they want any certificate if the electrical work is non-notifiable. the home owner should have a Minor Electrical Works Installation Certificate, but that's all.

It sounds to me like they are saying that it needs certifying by the electrician that carried out the work, not notifying. However, as he is incommunicado, this cannot occur. Therefore, they have to step in and make sure it is "up to regs", hence the fee.
Surely, if he invoiced you, you know his address. Pop and find out what's going on.

 

[TMess]

As these seem to be" additions " this will not be notifiable. As has been said if no new circuits have been added or the Circuit protective device has not been altered it will not be notifiable.

Planning Portal - Approved Document P

Particularly read the parts on non notifiable work. This is the document that the LABC must work to. The rest is folklore.

The piece relevant to us would be:

"Work that is not in a kitchen or special location and does not involve a special installation and consists of:

• Adding lighting points (light fittings and switches) to an existing circuit [Only if the existing circuit protective device is suitable and provides protection for the modified circuit, and other relevant safety provisions are satisfactory.]
• Adding socket-outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit [Only if the existing circuit protective device is suitable and provides protection for the modified circuit, and other relevant safety provisions are satisfactory.]"

However, as the ring was extended around the room and thus new cable was run to these sockets, does this not go against the following:

"Replacing any fixed electrical equipment (for example, socket-outlets, control switches and ceiling roses) which does not include the provision of any new fixed cabling."

 

[morph]

i live near you i will do it ha ha

 

[Guest55]

It sounds to me like they are saying that it needs certifying by the electrician that carried out the work, not notifying. However, as he is incommunicado, this cannot occur. Therefore, they have to step in and make sure it is "up to regs", hence the fee.

not having a go at you , but thats not the point.
the work can be verified as satisfactory by any competant person - for alot less than nearly £400.

 

[TMess]

Are you sure he was NIC registered? It seems loads of people claim to be, and even put the logo on their stationary and van, but it turns out they're not.

Yes. A call to NICEIC this afternoon confirmed he is 'still' registered.

 

[Guitarist]

not having a go at you , but thats not the point.
the work can be verified as satisfactory by any competant person - for alot less than nearly £400.

I agree biff. Just trying to make sense of their logic here. The law as it stands states that you cannot certify someone else's work (unless you are the QS of that person), so if BC feel they have to follow that rule then in their opinion they have to inspect it themselves.

 

[TMess]

to be honest , the battle with the council needs to taken up by the property owner
theres only so much you the contractor can do.
have planning fees been paid for the conversion ?
if they have i wouldnt be handing over a penny more.

Planning was not required for the work. However Building Control was, which we paid for and organised on behalf of the client.

 

[baldelectrician]

I can't believe the fiasco that is Part P

Up in Scotland the fees are set Scotland wide and the Buliding Standards accept NICEIC or SELECT (and sometimes other) certificates