Time spend when quoting for CU change

[sparc]

When requested to provide a FREE quote for a consumer unit replacement, typically, how much time do you spend at the property on assessing the existing installation:

a. Up to 1 hour

b. 1 - 2 hours

c. 2 - 3 hours

d. More than 3 hours.

 

[Steve_P]

Depends on if the customer puts the kettle on but generally up to an hour.

 

[MDJ]

any more than 1 hour assessing whether a dist board needs replacing is a sackable offence lol, I can tell within 30 seconds of looking at the existing board, and I bet 99% of the sparks on here can as well.

 

[ipf]

Depends if the customer looks like a model.

 

[monkeyelectric]

I can tell if it needs changing over the phone:rofl:

 

[Darkwood]

OPen board get general idea of wiring condition, check earthing/bonding and if time check for complete ring(s).... explain you test the installation as part of the board change and this may bring to light issues that will not be covered by quote and will be an extra if they need rectifying.

15mins ... how on earth can you expect to make a living wasting many hours checking a house out you may not get as a job, and what would you be doing for hours on end???

You can always suggest to the customer you recommend a EICR be done first to assess the installation then quote a standard charge for a board change without testing charge as you only have to take a few readings to upate the results after the board change.

 

[sparc]

I should imagine, all other things being equal, that replacing an old fuse board with a modern 17th Edition consume unit will generally improve the safety of the installation. I ask this question because - as darkwood notes - we're all trying to make a living, not operating as charities. The ESC guide on replacing a distribution board has the following advice:

"The initial approach of the contractor planning the replacement of a consumer unit should be to encourage the customer to have an Electrical Installation Condition Report prepared on the installation in advance of the consumer unit being replaced.

If the customer refuses, a pre-work survey should be carried out to ascertain if there are any immediate or potential dangers, or any condition that would cause unwanted tripping of an RCD, in the existing installation affected by the change. As a minimum, the survey should, include:

• making enquires with the user as to whether there are any known defects, faults or damage,

• an internal visual inspection of the existing consumer unit to determine, amongst other things, the type and condition of the wiring system used for the installation,

• an external visual inspection of other readily accessible parts of the installation,

• a measurement of the external earth fault loop impedance, Ze,

• a test of circuit protective conductor continuity at the end of each final circuit, and

• an insulation resistance measurement of the whole installation at the consumer unit, between the live conductors connected together and the protective conductor connected to the earthing arrangement.

If any immediate danger, potential danger or condition that would cause unwanted tripping of an RCD is found, the customer should be informed that remedial work is necessary to improve safety.

 

[SYKRAPS]

I went to one of these today and within 15 minutes I confirmed that the house would need a partial re-wire at best, but to be fair it was an old and poor installation.

I offer an EICR and tell the customer that it will be a cheap one if they go ahead wth the remedials, if they say no when they get the quote for the remedials and CU change then they get a full charged unsatisfactory EICR.

But I make this apparent in the very first instance.