Consumer Unit OK?

[jagillham]

Hi,

Can anybody take a look at this install in a house we looking to buy please?

Few other issues with the place, which if sorted I'll then get a proper electrical survey. But, in the meantime does this look normal/right?

Thanks

 

[John D v2.0]

Well it's clearly not right but you're going to have to get an electrician in to do a proper assessment if you want to know the exact cost or remedial works.

 

[sparkwright]

If those pictures are anything to go by, a lot of re-wiring or remedial work may need doing all over the property.

Ask the seller FIRST if the wiring is ok.

They will say yes.

When the wiring is THEN assessed you can then ask for a reduction in the price of the property.

But you need to ask the seller if the wiring is ok FIRST - because if you don't, and the assessment is done first, then the seller will simply say that their asking price has taken the poor wiring into account.

See what I mean?

 

[jagillham]

Thanks both, the whole rear extension seems to be riddled with issues unfortunately. I guess really I was hoping to see if somebody could tell me if it was a bodge, and if so to what degree.

If it really is a proper cowboy job, then I need to think if worth going down this route (paying out for proper surveys etc), or just walking away now.

 

[John D v2.0]

Ask them to pay for the work. Then if they say no walk away if you don't want to pay, if yes then get a quote and they should pay.

 

[sparkwright]

Of course there may not be anything else wrong, in which case the problems in the picture could be easily rectified.

We haven't seen enough to be certain of anything.

 

[jagillham]

Of course there may not be anything else wrong, in which case the problems in the picture could be easily rectified.

We haven't seen enough to be certain of anything.

Any idea what they've tried to do there? Short of connecting up a socket, my knowledge is rather limited.

In terms of the rest electrics, common sense would seem to tell me this is a rather poor idea...

 

[EFLImpudence]

Perfectly normal.

 

[JohnW2]

When the wiring is THEN assessed you can then ask for a reduction in the price of the property. But you need to ask the seller if the wiring is ok FIRST - because if you don't, and the assessment is done first, then the seller will simply say that their asking price has taken the poor wiring into account.

Indeed - as you will probably have seen, I often advise prospective sellers to do the latter. BUT ...

Ask the seller FIRST if the wiring is ok. They will say yes.

If they say 'yes', then one can use your above approach (although, of course, they might still not be prepared to reduce the price). However, a savvy seller would not say 'yes' - I wouldn't, and I would advise other sellers not to. Rather, I would advise them to pre-empt the above ploy by saying that they could not give an expert opinion but (possibly adding "since the wiring is clearly quite old") the asking price takes into account the fact that an appreciable amount of remedial electrical work may be required! Let's hope that doesn't happen to the OP, if he decides to pursue the purchase.

Kind Regards, John

 

[aptsys]

I'd be concerned the looped supply doesn't seem to have earth continuity. Worst case both you and neighbour have no earth or maybe just the neighbour

 

[chivers67]

Not the worst I've seen.

Poor socket placement in sink cupboard can be fairly easily rectified as could the cable above the Board and the gap at the front of the board and only four circuits to deal with? Any out buildings?

It's the Earthing that needs checking as aptsys mentions.

The plumbing looks very DIY Too.

Not sure about the plastic bag storage

 

[flameport]

I guess really I was hoping to see if somebody could tell me if it was a bodge, and if so to what degree.

Hole in the top of the CU
That connector block and the blue wires should be inside the CU or some other enclosure, and what exactly it is for is a mystery. Should not exist on any new installation, appears someone has just used it for a neutral.
The other conductors in the cable have been cut off - they should have been connected to earth if they are not required.
CU is a typical DIY shed effort, shoved in with no thought whatsoever.
Very few circuits, the absolute minimum.
There is no cooker circuit which will be a problem if you want an electric hob or double oven.
Old fusebox left in place although presumably disconnected (the beige item with the conduits to the right).
1/2 a blank missing from the front of the CU and the internals are not aligned properly - small space to the left of the red switch should not be there, neither should the tiny gap between the 'sockets' and 'lighting' MCBs. The whole lot needs moving to the left, and where the 3 small blanks are next to the 2nd RCD should then be 4 small or 2 large so there is no gap.
As for normal - sadly there are plenty of installations like that.

Under the sink - another typical mess.
Socket has a big hole in the top which should be sealed, or cables enter from the bottom/side.
The socket being under the sink is not a problem.
Green hose and jubilee clip is rather suspect, the sort of thing that could be forced off under pressure and cause a massive flood.
The white flexi hose is either because someone obtained the wrong trap for the 2 bowl sink, or it's from Ikea. Either way needs to be replaced as it will be constantly blocked and impossible to clean.
The rest of the plumbing is of a poor standard, pipes unsupported, the braided flexi hoses can and often do burst, and that carrier bag holder at the back right is designed to be fixed to a wall, not shoved into a cupboard.

All of it is exactly what you would expect from people who have no idea what they are doing and don't care either.

 

[flameport]

I'll then get a proper electrical survey.

Don't bother with that.
Just ask the vendor for the installation certificate for the CU and new circuits, and the Part P notification.
If they lie about the date or claim it was done many years ago - the cable entering the big hole in the top of the CU has the date of manufacture embossed into it. Looks like 2013.
If they can't supply the documents, just take 10k off the price to allow for a full rewire, because no docs = never existed, rather than lost/misplaced.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Just ask the vendor for the installation certificate for the CU and new circuits, and the Part P notification.

And, in fact, all the Building Regulations certificate(s) and Planning Permissions for the extension.

If they can't supply the documents, just take 10k off the price to allow for a full rewire, because no docs = never existed, rather than lost/misplaced.

And if you decide to walk away, report them to the council for Building Regulations and Planning contraventions.

 

[jagillham]

Thanks all. Yes, will be obtaining all the certificates.

Although if they do have them, it's even more concerning.

Engineering bricks below the DPM in places with no mortar around them, back wall is not plumb, and the flat roof shows evidence of leaking quite a lot. Worse still I know it's all a max of 4yrs old as Google Maps July 2012 has the building all boarded up without the an extension.

Will have to see what the paperwork turns up. Most of it I think can be corrected at a price, but if the RSJ across the back has not been spec'd properly, then can't see how we could go ahead.