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Issue with hired electrician

Joined
28 Jun 2021
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United Kingdom
Hi
I hired an NICEIC electrician to replace CU and do EICR on a rental property. All communications are documented on whatsapp, price agreed to do CU replace and eicr; texts are clear to include EICR. He came last week to check the works, said he'll do bonding if required and booked for this week. He attended the property, I had builders there to let him in, I wasn't present, he was there for 5hrs or so, sent me photos of new CUs. He sent invoice which states only CU replace and parts but no mention of eicr and says to be paid immediately, I asked about the eicr, he said "working on it, give me few days".
I'm concerned doesn't state eicr but could be fine if he issues one? He hasn't said if passed or requires further works. I am not really sure if he's done the works for the eicr. The invoice also doesn't include his address only part postcode but he's limited company so can see full address, he has VAT number, checked all good. He is on niceic website.
I haven't paid the invoice, definitely won't pay in full if he hasn't done the eicr.
Opinions?
 
Regardless of the EICR, you should/must immediately (or as long as it takes to complete) be given an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for the replacement of the Consumer Unit and you will also receive (within thirty days) a Certificate of Compliance from NICEIC.
 
I know with rental you need an EICR, unless there is an EIC less than 5 years old. The fitting of a new CU required a lot of testing and inspecting, and there is very little extra work to do all, but if I was to do an EICR it would not cover all required by the new law anyway, so all a bit of a moot point.

The law says any items not on wheels weighting more than 18 kg, or fixed is included with the EICR, so he would for example need to inspect connections to the boiler, but often he could not do that unless gas safe, so very few EICR actually do what the law required without some extra work by other trades, and we kind of ignore what the law says, and just do what the guide to the law says we should do.

It seems we have a lot of government guides, which don't follow the law, part P is the same.

You have to pay the invoice and if an inspector writes on an EICR that parts have not been tested, one can't really force him to test things he has no access to, and he can invoice for the CU change independent to the EICR, which would make some sense as the CU change needs a compliance or completion certificate and the EICR does not, as the EICR is often not covered by scheme membership.
 
The agreed price was for CU and EICR. He gave invoice full agreed price but doesn't state eicr. Not sure what @ericmark is about. The property is empty with full access to all sockets/switches/fittings inc boilers and gas meters.

The bottom lime; I am landlord, called niceic electrician agreed price to change CU and issue eicr; I leave the law and part P to the electricians.
 
Last edited:
The bottom lime; I am landlord, called niceic electrician agreed price to change CU and issue eicr.
Then that is what you should get.

However, because of the notifiable work - the replacement of a consumer unit - you must, by law, receive an Electrical Installation Certificate from the electrician and a Certificate of Compliance from NICEIC.
 
Sorry, I read the landlord law, and much seems to me nothing to do with an EICR, the I stands for installation, which I have taken to mean the fixed wiring, we also have inspection and testing of in-service electrical equipment often called PAT testing, so I would do two independent inspection and testing, one for installation and one for equipment.

But to install a CU I would test each circuit, so the schedule of test results is basic the same as what is shown for the EIC and EICR, it is only the visual inspection and not sure where one draws the line, an EIC does not have codes, well there is nothing to say you must code with an EICR, you need someone who has the knowledge to sign to say the house is safe.
 
Then that is what you should get.

However, because of the notifiable work - the replacement of a consumer unit - you must, by law, receive an Electrical Installation Certificate from the electrician and a Certificate of Compliance from NICEIC.
I will ask him for EIC, he never mentioned and I didn't know. Cheers
 
If you have any problems, you have redress with his CPS, NICEIC. It costs enough to be a member of NICEIC, make them earn their money!
 
Then that is what you should get.

However, because of the notifiable work - the replacement of a consumer unit - you must, by law, receive an Electrical Installation Certificate from the electrician and a Certificate of Compliance from NICEIC.
An Electrical Installation Certificate is certainly a requirement of the Wiring Regulations, but I am doubtful that there is any law which obligates the issuance of such documentation. Ther Certificate of Compliance (if that is indeed what the document issued relating to the Building Regulations is called) may well be required by law.
 
Dare i ask how much you were quoted for a new cu and EICR?

And if he says the EICR will cover his new CU then politely remind him that he owes you

An EIC
An EICR
And if you are in England or Wales a part p compliance document
 
An Electrical Installation Certificate is certainly a requirement of the Wiring Regulations, but I am doubtful that there is any law which obligates the issuance of such documentation.
Well, you might be correct strictly speaking but does an EIC not go with things which are legal requirements?

That is: were the work notified directly to LABC by the electrician would they not require one, or,
as in this case, the electrician is registered with NICEIC do they not require an EIC be completed?

Ther Certificate of Compliance (if that is indeed what the document issued relating to the Building Regulations is called) may well be required by law.
If not then similarly, surely.

Would you be happy not receiving either one after complying with all the legal requirements?





It's only been twenty years; we ought to know by now.
 
My electrician always sent the paperwork through a few days after. Presumably because he had to enter the details of the test results etc. Dont they also have to use NICEIC papers/test sheets?

Perhaps he’s just catching up on the paperwork?
 
It will come eventually, im rubbish at paperwork plus I dont always get round to it straight away.
 

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