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duckie

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Hi all - just another normal homeowner who does not understand electrics much. Having recently purchased a new home I figured I need to be clued up on the basics to ensure that electrics in my house are done correctly and safely. Sometimes, tradespeople talk a lot of techy stuff and its difficult to figure out - so with that I hope to pop in ever so often with my basic queries.

cheers
Duckie
 
Welcome to the asylum mate.

When asking questions please give as much info as possible.. Include pics.... We like pics...
 
Hi all - just another normal homeowner who does not understand electrics much. Having recently purchased a new home I figured I need to be clued up on the basics to ensure that electrics in my house are done correctly and safely. Sometimes, tradespeople talk a lot of techy stuff and its difficult to figure out - so with that I hope to pop in ever so often with my basic queries.

cheers
Duckie
Ask away Duckie
 
Welcome to the asylum mate.

When asking questions please give as much info as possible.. Include pics.... We like pics...
I certainly will.

I have had quite a bit of electric work done on my new place. I had given the work to my builder (thinking he would be getting in specialists to do the job, plumbers, electricians etc) but it turned out his "jack of all" foreman has done most of it and giving me cause for concern with everything he has touched.

The builder has been fired but I am in the painful process of getting things correct at extra ££££ to correct and remedy quite a bit of his work.

Hence, the need to be "in the know" and bit more informed about issues / potential problems that need sorting.

My next step was to get all the electrics tested and certified and was all set for booking in a NICEIC test and through this forum learned that there are other certifications too - so more reading up.
 
Hi and welcome.
Have a look at this website for a good overview of electrical safety in the home. The first paragraph has a link to a jargon busting page to help you understand terms a bit easier.

 
I certainly will.

I have had quite a bit of electric work done on my new place. I had given the work to my builder (thinking he would be getting in specialists to do the job, plumbers, electricians etc) but it turned out his "jack of all" foreman has done most of it and giving me cause for concern with everything he has touched.

The builder has been fired but I am in the painful process of getting things correct at extra ££££ to correct and remedy quite a bit of his work.

Hence, the need to be "in the know" and bit more informed about issues / potential problems that need sorting.

My next step was to get all the electrics tested and certified and was all set for booking in a NICEIC test and through this forum learned that there are other certifications too - so more reading up.

If a builder has had a go then the first step is to get a local electrician in the perform an inspection. The inspection report, EICR (electrical installation condition report), should highlight all the areas of concern and should be fully explained to you by the electrician. Be as open and honest as you can in guiding the electrician to all the places the builder has had a hand in.
 
Welcome to the duck pond.

Glad you explained where your troubles lie.
If you had turned out to be a DIY Dave, or as you put it a Jack Of All, and be trying to do work yourself where you admit straight away you don’t understand it, then any questions would probably get replies of “get a professional in”
 
If a builder has had a go then the first step is to get a local electrician in the perform an inspection. The inspection report, EICR (electrical installation condition report), should highlight all the areas of concern and should be fully explained to you by the electrician. Be as open and honest as you can in guiding the electrician to all the places the builder has had a hand in.
Yes - that is my first step to sorting things out and getting everything checked hopefully by next weekend. From what I can tell a EICR report for a unoccupied 3 bed semi-detached should be around the £150 mark - seen a lot of price variations online. Not looking for the cheapest but as with most things its difficult to tell what is a good service to opt for (trying the usual sites, CheckATrade, Rated People)
 
Welcome to the duck pond.

Glad you explained where your troubles lie.
If you had turned out to be a DIY Dave, or as you put it a Jack Of All, and be trying to do work yourself where you admit straight away you don’t understand it, then any questions would probably get replies of “get a professional in”
Yes - my one big learn when on specialist forums is be very clear about why I am asking for info. Not much of a DIYer and my approach to my house and most work is "get one guy to handle/project everything" and trust them to do a good and proper job. Maybe I just got a bad one and I am sure there are other builder/contractors who do a great job but my life lesson is henceforth always work directly with the specialist tradesperson which will have its own pitfalls but likely to get the best results ultimately.
 
The best place to start is with recommendations.

If you can find a local electrician that comes personally recommended that is a good start.

Checkatrade, my builder etc can yield mixed results even with good feedback on the site.

If you post up your approximate location a member may be nearby and willing to help.
 
To the OP.
The NICEIC is basically a competence scheme, but they’re not the only one.
NAPIT, STRIMA and SELECT in Scotland are a few of the others. I believe there are more.

Also like to add that there is no guarantee that a scheme member is any better than a non member. Plenty of examples on this forum about that.
 
The builder has been fired but I am in the painful process of getting things correct at extra ££££ to correct and remedy quite a bit of his work.
I'm sorry to hear the builder has done a crap job ,dont despair if it cost more money to put write ,then it a learning curve ,next time if you get a builder in next time ,get a independent spark in ,love and kisses buzz.
 
Get an electrician that has a qualification in Inspection and Testing, and has been an electrician for a long time.

Some CPS list if their member has these attributes. NAPIT do, can't speak for the others.
 

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