Bit of a mess of installing sockets in plasterboard

[mwbude]

I'm really looking for some opinions as I'm not much of an expert. As part of an extension, we have some builders installing some switches and sockets into plasterboard. The work is not yet finished, but the plastering and socket installation is. To me, the work looks a shambles but I'm wondering if I'm being unreasonable. Please take a look at the pictures below and tell me;
a) Is this installation really bad?
b) What would the best way be to resolve this?

Having read around a bit it looks like the wrong boxes have been used (metal, not plasterboard boxes) and that the plasterboard has been cut really badly. If numerous boxes are being installed next to each other in plasterboard then how do you do this neatly?

I'm prepared to tell the builder to sort this out properly but I'm not really sure what to ask them to do.

Thanks in advance for your opinions.

Cheers,
Marc

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• mwbude
• 22 Mar 2014
• 1

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• mwbude
• 22 Mar 2014
• 1

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• mwbude
• 22 Mar 2014
• 1

This is actually installed in an existing brick and plaster supporting wall. The boxes don't...

Untitled

• mwbude
• 22 Mar 2014
• 1

Untitled

• mwbude
• 22 Mar 2014
• 1

 

[Ricardus]

I'd rush outside and hobble their horses to stop them riding off into the sunset!

 

[Brigadier]

I think you're being a bit fussy - a blind man on a galloping horse would never see the gaps !

 

[EddieM]

Its absolutely rubbish!! Where are the backboxes (cant see any) wrong type of faceplates used, very badly installed without an ounce of thought for aesthetics. In a word yeeeeehaaar !

 

[EFLImpudence]

That's just rubbish, I'm afraid.

If they don't put it right with proper filler after straightening the boxes, then deduct a suitable amount and get it repaired by someone else.

Also the five on top of each other is unacceptable.


It doesn't inspire confidence in any other work they may have done which you cannot see.

 

[Bodgeitandleggit]

What a load of shoit........ and this is what you can see!!!!!!!! I would have serious concerns about the rest of the job.... where did you get these cowboys from ??

 

[Burnerman]

Ghastly job.....can't see if the void is deep enough to use dry lining boxes for the sockets, but thats no excuse.
John

 

[bernardgreen]

Replace the plaster board sheets involved

Use the correct boxes.

If there has to be two singles next to each other then use a dual back box. Not a double. A dual is designed to take two single plates side by side.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MTMDLB3.html

Move this thread to the electrical section for more advice. ( and comments about the bodged work )

 

[rjm2k]

Metal boxes may not be totally wrong as some seem to be screwed into cross battens but they have put them too close to each other and made a mess of filling the edges after they cut too much out. Darent think what the stuff you can't see is like!

 

[conny]

Looking at the third from top picture, (and it is a ghastly looking set-up), are the two faceplates below the double socket data outputs?

If so then I would suspect you have these cables running alongside mains voltage cables which, if I am not mistaken, is totally wrong and can lead to problems as well as being dangerous.

Hope you haven't paid for any of this yet? Have building control seen what is happening?

 

[cajar]

You're right, they've got to have a 50mm separation as well as be in separate back boxes.

 

[Dextraneous]

It's nice, after all this time, to finally get to see one of BAS's installations

 

[OwainDIYer]

In the last pic there appear to not be bonding wires to the backbox earth terminal.

I know there may not have to be, but good practice and all that.

And the faceplate screws aren't lined up either.

 

[EFLImpudence]

In the last pic there appear to not be bonding wires to the backbox earth terminal.

Circuit Protective Conductor; Earthing - not bonding.

I know there may not have to be, but good practice and all that..

True.

And the faceplate screws aren't lined up either.

Difficult when the boxes are all over the place.

 

[EddieM]

Lets face it, its crap in every way, I would be ashamed if I had done that. The list of things wrong / shoddily done is huge. Get it ripped out and done properly.