Electrics - what's allowed and not?

sparer · 24 Nov 2017

Hi,
I've moved some walls and doorways etc. I am aware that a qualified electrician must do any work on bathrooms and kitchens but what can I do myself?

I have notified building control throughout the process and he now won't be back before completion but I need to close up some plasterboard walls this weekend and get on with the plastering. I need to put light switches and sockets in the walls (not bathroom or kitchen) but can't wait until Monday to ask the BCO. I'm comfortable doing the work but am I allowed under building regs? I was under the impression that adding sockets etc was ok as long as I don't create a new circuit.

Thanks

^woody^ · 24 Nov 2017

If the council are inspecting the work then you need to check what they require regarding inspections before you cover stuff up. You must know what work is involved in your application and what is not?

Extending existing circuits except to bathrooms, kitchens and outside, are not controlled works.

sparer · 24 Nov 2017

I'm going to have to risk it and talk to the BCO on Monday Woody. I guess at worse case i'll have to pay for them to have someone certify the work. I think that's an option isn't it? I really wish i'd asked the question when he was there today.

^woody^ · 25 Nov 2017

It's normally on the application form that you will either have the council check or use your own competent person.

In the distant past, the council's cunningly re-worded the forms to say that you agreed to an extra charge for any electrical testing they did, if you did not use your own competent person. However there was a government circular which stated that any electrical testing should be included in the fee and not be an extra charge.

I dont know if this has been challenged or changed more recently, or if the councils are still getting away with it.

But make sure that whatever electrics you are messing with, don't actually need to be inspected in the first place. If they do, then most of the time they can be checked by just removing a few fittings. Other times a periodic test from an electrician may be acceptable.

sparer · 25 Nov 2017

I think I ticked 'don't know' regarding who was doing the electrical work and I do remember a note about an extra charge. I'll probably try to do the minimum of electrical work this weekend and speak to BC on Monday.

sparer · 28 Nov 2017

BCO wanted me to engage my own electrician to supervise me. Try having that conversation with a spark! In the end I found an electrician to do the work himself at short notice but it ain't coming cheap...and I have to supply materials and do the chases.

Nakajo · 29 Nov 2017

On the plus side, you'll probably live. So that's a win.

^woody^ · 29 Nov 2017

On the negative side, all those wasted life insurance premiums.

As long as the cost of the electrician is cheaper than the cost of getting the council to check it.

charliegolf · 29 Nov 2017

^woody^ said:
As long as the cost of the electrician is cheaper than the cost of getting the council to check it.

I recently paid an electrician (comp person scheme member) £350 to supply, fix and test: 50m SWA, 1x double socket in the shed, 1x double external socket on the outside wall and the connection to the supply. I fancied DIYing it, but the council wanted £350 for fees and testing alone.

sparer · 9 Dec 2017

In the end I just had an electrician do the whole lot. Bathroom, kitchen, and adding new outlets in some rooms. I had to supply materials and it still cost £800. £400 for first fix and the same for second fix and testing. He had me over a barrel in a way cos he knew the job was stalled and other sparks were quoting 3 weeks. He did first fix next day and he'll come back for second fix. If I use the figure of £350 (above) for the council to check it, I reckon I paid £450 more for someone to do the job for me. £800 seems ok for 4 man days.

rssteve · 28 Dec 2017

200 a day is about the going rate for a self employed electrician for a small job.

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Electrics - what's allowed and not?

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