Getting electrics checked/approved for old and new work

[GettingOnWithItAll]

My apologies if this is answered elsewhere. I’ve searched without success and my head’s not working well today.

Background
I’ve done a lot of house electrics over the years but have no formal qualification or certification. I’m confident that I can work safely and will work to the requirements of the current regulations apart from certification. In a past life I worked on electrics for various military explosive devices so I’m a bit over-the-top with safety.

The house I’m in was last sold over 40 years ago and there is no certification. My wife’s ex rewired the house, put in a modern fuse box and put in outside electrics (wall twin socket and a pair of twin sockets in an old shed). All the wiring has the old black/red colours.

I now want to replace the shed and redo the bathroom, preferably with a new power shower to replace the existing gravity-fed one.

I want to get the house wiring checked and certified.

The Question
So, what is the best/cheapest way of achieving the following:
1. Getting existing old wiring checked/certified (eg EICR).
2. Refitting the electrics in a replacement shed (the outside circuit is via a dedicated fuse box in the attached garage and all the work seems to be to a good standard).
3. Get a power shower fit certified (eg DIY fit and pay to get checked or get an electrician in).

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[EFLImpudence]

The Question
So, what is the best/cheapest way of achieving the following:

Which do you want? Best and cheapest do not go together.

1. Getting existing old wiring checked/certified (eg EICR).

Yes, an EICR is all you can do, but it cannot determine whether hidden wiring is installed properly.

2. Refitting the electrics in a replacement shed (the outside circuit is via a dedicated fuse box in the attached garage and all the work seems to be to a good standard).

Again best and cheapest are a long way apart.
What exactly do you mean?
Either you employ an electrician or you do it yourself.

3. Get a power shower fit certified (eg DIY fit and pay to get checked or get an electrician in).

If you mean a shower on the bathroom wall containing a pump then that is notifiable to the Local Authority

which you either do before you start or employ a registered electrician or third party certifier (same thing virtually) who is willing to supervise your work throughout, so again before you start.

You cannot call someone after you have finished and ask "Have a look at this".

 

[SUNRAY]

Which do you want? Best and cheapest do not go together.


Yes, an EICR is all you can do, but it cannot determine whether hidden wiring is installed properly.


Again best and cheapest are a long way apart.
What exactly do you mean?
Either you employ an electrician or you do it yourself.


If you mean a shower on the bathroom wall containing a pump then that is notifiable to the Local Authority

which you either do before you start or employ a registered electrician or third party certifier (same thing virtually) who is willing to supervise your work throughout, so again before you start.

You cannot call someone after you have finished and ask "Have a look at this".

Perfect response.

 

[GettingOnWithItAll]

Thank you.

My apologies for not making clear what I meant by best/cheapest. I think exactly the same as you: best and cheapest rarely come together. What I was alluding to was the best balance between them. In an ideal world, I’d just get in a certified electrician to do everything and not worry about the cost. However, I have choices, just as I can service my own car and get a safety certification (MOT) for £100 because I’m competent, have the kit and can do it all, pay a dealer £500, an independent garage £300 or Kwik-Fit £200.

Mind you, my wife thinks I’m far better and cheaper than her ex.

To clarify further (and again apologies for not making clear):
1. On the shed, I’d rather just refit the electrics in the new one, which I can do without breaking the wiring albeit disconnecting and refitting the sockets would be easier.
2. I expected that certification for a shower would be notifiable and that certification would require a full knowledge of what was done, inevitably requiring more than just a test of the finished job. My interest there was that if I was getting, say, the shed wiring notified and certified then having the shower notified and certified at the same time may cost me little extra.

My wife did suggest that I just connect the shed electrics to an extension lead plugged into the hose wall socket, but she’d had a drink or 2 so I’ll let her off.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It's not exactly the same as car repairs.

It is in that you may (are allowed to) do any electrical work - but you must be competent (or skilled I believe they now call it).
Part P of the Building Regulations - the law - states (words to the effect) that all work must be done to ensure safety. You might not be able to do this through lack of knowledge even of what is required.

However, some - new circuits, replacement consumer units and additions and alterations in special location (bathrooms etc.) zones - is notifiable to the Local Authority and they might not deem you competent or have the right testing equipment to do it.
As said, the notification must be done before you start - or employ a registered electrician, either to do the work or supervise you and do the tests.

 

[GettingOnWithItAll]

Again, thank you for a very helpful post.

You’re confirming my gut instinct, which is to bin the shed wiring by disconnecting it inside the house, get an electrician in for a power shower if we go that way and have an EICR.

If my wife wants light in the shed (‘summer house’, but still a shed) then solar-powered lights should be adequate.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Mind you, my wife thinks I’m far better and cheaper than her ex.

'far better' in what way???



Andy

 

[GettingOnWithItAll]

Far as in to heaven and back every day . . . . .