Electrical check for new extension certification????

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I have just had an extension built and the only remaining task to be completed is for the electrics to be certified to the council so we can get a completion certificate.

The only problem is that the builders electrician is messing us around and we have spent weeks waiting for him to come and do the electrics.

I now get the feeling he may not come at all, so I have said to the builder I would look at the possibility of getting somebody else to do the electrical part.

Can anybody please tell me what exactly is involved in this process?

As far as the electrics is concerned, the ring main has been extended with one single socket and the lighting socket also extended by 1 single ceiling rose.

Any help greatfully received.


:?:
 
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If these additions/extension of circuits, were not made in a shower/bathroom or kitchen area, minor works certificates should do for both these additions.
It's not good procedure for another party to sign anothers work off, but with it only being minor work you should have no problem finding one.
Does you consumer unit have RCD protection on these circuits or has the extended part of the circuit been provided with RCD protection.
I would also be speaking to the builder regarding the cost of employing another electrician, I assume it was in his quote?
 
As the work will have been notified to the building control office you could informally "pre-warn" them that you builder may be changing the electrician and therefor new one may not be able to certify the electrics that he did not install.

The building control officer's reply might be useful in your negotiation with the builder.
 
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Thanks to both of you for your swift responses.

In answer to some of the questions:


If these additions/extension of circuits, were not made in a shower/bathroom or kitchen area, minor works certificates should do for both these additions.
Only in the living room.

It's not good procedure for another party to sign anothers work off, but with it only being minor work you should have no problem finding one.
I can appreciate that. The bonus of this is that the faceplates etc are not yet connected to the walls, so the wiring should be easy to check I would have thought.

Does you consumer unit have RCD protection on these circuits or has the extended part of the circuit been provided with RCD protection.
I would also be speaking to the builder regarding the cost of employing another electrician, I assume it was in his quote?
The consumer does indeed have an Rcd on the sockets (which includes the new extension).
I have spoken to the builder and told him if that if I can find somebody to do the job I would be taking it out of the remaining balance owed for the building work.
 
The forms are available here

The readings need taking and putting into the form. This will involve using meters which cost around £75 to hire so not really worth doing it as a DIY.

The point is only the person doing the work can sign for the work done. However of course electricians do die so there must be a way around it. Often the LABC will take an inspection report rather than an installation report.

Where power has been put onto the circuit by the electrician doing the work to assume it is complete is safe. However where power has not been put onto the circuit anyone taking over the work has to satisfy there are no incomplete parts likely to cause a danger. This means every wire needs ringing out to ensure there is nothing left to be completed.
 
The forms are available here

The readings need taking and putting into the form. This will involve using meters which cost around £75 to hire so not really worth doing it as a DIY.

The point is only the person doing the work can sign for the work done. However of course electricians do die so there must be a way around it. Often the LABC will take an inspection report rather than an installation report.

Where power has been put onto the circuit by the electrician doing the work to assume it is complete is safe. However where power has not been put onto the circuit anyone taking over the work has to satisfy there are no incomplete parts likely to cause a danger. This means every wire needs ringing out to ensure there is nothing left to be completed.

Thank you for that reply.
 
I cant answer that question since I was not involved in the building regs approval application.

This was all done by the builder and his architect.
It can be practically guaranteed that it will have said that the electrics would be done by someone who could self-certify.

What the builder actually did is a matter for speculation...

Bernard's advice is sound - you need to speak to Building Control, explain the problem, and ask what they want you to do, because then you'll know what to ask electricians to do for you when you start contacting them. It's possible that your council is one of the ones that subcontracts inspection & testing to 3rd party electricians when non-registered people notify in advance, in which case they might give you a list of electricians they work with regularly.
 
Bernard's advice is sound - you need to speak to Building Control, explain the problem, and ask what they want you to do, because then you'll know what to ask electricians to do for you when you start contacting them. It's possible that your council is one of the ones that subcontracts inspection & testing to 3rd party electricians when non-registered people notify in advance, in which case they might give you a list of electricians they work with regularly.

Thank you very much for that reply.

I will contact the Council tomorrow and see what they say.

:D
 
I have just had an extension built and the only remaining task to be completed is for the electrics to be certified to the council so we can get a completion certificate.

The only problem is that the builders electrician is messing us around and we have spent weeks waiting for him to come and do the electrics.

I now get the feeling he may not come at all, so I have said to the builder I would look at the possibility of getting somebody else to do the electrical part.

Your contract is with the builder - so get him to sort out the electrical issues. You should not be running around after him. I assume you haven't paid him yet?
 
Your contract is with the builder - so get him to sort out the electrical issues. You should not be running around after him. I assume you haven't paid him yet?

I completely agree, but for an extension that was supposed to have been completed in 3 weeks, now nearly 4 months on and it is complete except for the electrical certification.

We keep being told Electrician is coming only to wait a whole week and he not appear, then another week of the same and now I am getting inpatient.

I just want it finished now, even if it means I have to do some of the work.
 
I completely agree, but for an extension that was supposed to have been completed in 3 weeks, now nearly 4 months on and it is complete except for the electrical certification.

We keep being told Electrician is coming only to wait a whole week and he not appear, then another week of the same and now I am getting inpatient.

I just want it finished now, even if it means I have to do some of the work.

The problem is that an electrician registered with a competent persons scheme cannot sign off other peoples work and would need to see the cable runs etc - which could mean ripping out the plaster or plasterboard.

Tell the builder to give you the details of which scheme (Napit niceic eca)the electrician is registered to and then contact them to complain. Completing work within a reasonable time is a requirement of most schemes, which are guaranteed by the way.

Hold back at least £500 from the builder to ensure the work is completed.
 
I understand your problem had something similar. Lucky in two ways. One both me and my son are electricians although not members of a scheme. And two my parents who were having the work done were disabled so no charges for Part P.

The first problem was the LABC said we would have to wait until we got a written go ahead before I could continue with the work. After pointing out it was an emergency they relented and allowed me to start. No loo for my mother was an emergency but warning it may cause delay.

The second problem was the inspector wanted to be sure we had the skills and would not accept my sons C&G2391 and insisted I did testing and inspection as I had a degree. This was silly but pointed out to show how asking LABC does make a lot of sense.

When it came making up the installation certificate I only filled in the bits I had done with a reference that other bits were done by the other electrician. I wondered what the reaction would be but they issued a completion certificate without a problem.

However it likely took longer checking the other guys work than if I had done it all myself. For me there was of course no labour charge but employing some one else will likely mean the charge will be more than the original electricians quote for whole job.

I used the three signature form with the design and installation noted as being done by first electrician and the limitations area showed what I had done plus I did inspection and testing. However I stand to be corrected but I think an electrician who uses being a member of a scheme will not be able to use the three signature forms. So he must either take responsibility for whole job or submit the form through LABC and not use the self certify route.

This could add £100+ to the bill and I would get a quote for work and show the builder the quote first telling him if not completed by DATE then you would go ahead. As once faced with a bill of likely double what he had allowed for the work he may get his finger out and complete the work using his original electrician.

We also had the reverse. My son started working for himself. Most work went A1 but some customers were having other work done around the wiring. When my son decided to go cards in again although most the outstanding work was finished some due to slow building work was not completed.

6 months after he had stopped trading as a sole trader some people wanted him to finish off the work he had started. Two problems one was finding time. The second was his insurance has now lapsed together with his scheme membership. This resulted in him not being able to complete the work he started. To pay the LABC to finish the work and take out new insurance was just not economically viable.

If the builder has got a similar situation with his original electrician then this may explain the delay. He may be happy for you to take over the problem for him?
 
Thanks again for the the replies.

I will contact the builder in the first instance tomorrow. As if he can get the electrician to come and complete the work then it seems this would be by far the least amount of hassle.
 

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