Installing an Extractor Fan in a Bathroom through the wall

[YS]

Hi
I need to install an extractor fan in my bathroom. I planned to do this myself but all this talk of Part P and my inexperience with wiring has made me decide to call in an electrician! My question is mainly whether I need to drill the hole in the wall first or if there are electricians who would do this as part of the installation? It's a ground floor maisonette with a double glazed window so it's got to go through the wall.
If I do drill the hole first, one post i've seen advises that you should hire a large drill thingie (!) but I'm nervous about tackling this - don't even know if you'd start from the inside or the outside! It's a solid wall construction (1930)
Also the only external wall is the one with the window on, the shower is about a metre away. Will the necessary siting of the fan work to draw air and moisture away from the shower / bath (which sits in under the stairs leading to the upstairs maisonette). The door is the only source of air intake and it is on the wall opposite the window/ proposed fan site...

Any help or advice greatly appreciated.

Y

PS how much would this kind of job typically cost in the UK?!?? (with or without hole drilling!!)
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Lynda, moderator

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[Steve]

i would expect most electricians to have a circular brick saw for fans. Ask them when you get them for a quote.

You can fit the fan yourself, just leave the wiring for the pro to tackle - this may be the cheapest route.

Go down the hire shop and ask for an SDS drill and a diamond tip masonry holesaw to fit it. (You will need to specify diameter too)

They may give you a 110 volt drill, in which case there will be a big yellow transformer too.

 

[sandwell]

Most electricians would expect to drill the hole themselves, and would prefer to I should think.

Could you install it in the ceiling, and run a duct to the outside wall in the roof space?

 

[reggie perrin]

Most electricians would expect to drill the hole themselves, and would prefer to I should think.

On which planet?

 

[YS]

Thanks for your help! I think I will stay on this planet and attempt to put the hole in myself. I guess if it goes pear shaped I will certainly have good ventilation with half the wall missing...

I can't duct through the ceiling into the roof space because there is another flat in the way... a small issue but probably best not ignored!!!

Thanks!

Y

 

[Fluffster]

With a long drill bit drill a pilot hole all the way through then using the cored drill, drill from each side to prevent the opening from bursting the brick/block/finish.

Also tape up your door as it is a very very dust job.
Pete

 

[stem]

Make sure that the hole slopes downward slightly towards the outside so that any condensation or rain runs outside the house.

You will also need to line the hole to stop damp air getting inside the wall and to seal the cavity if you have one.