Signing electrics off for planning permission

[MasterOfDisaster]

Got my house fully rewired a couple of years by what seemed like a competent electrician. We also knocked down a load-bearing wall which needed planning permission. It was a kitchen/dining wall so there's appliances, downlights, light switches and wall sockets etc. near by.

The council (Renfrewshire, Scotland) say they need the electrics signed-off in the area around the removed wall. Unfortunately the electrician has had a stroke and can't work any more. He also doesn't answer his phone.

So the question is can any electrician do the singing off or do they need to have a special qualification? Also, I imagine a spark wouldn't be too happy signing off work they didn't do either which makes things more complicated.

Any advice and expected cost much appreciated?

 

[ericmark]

Step on is find who was the scheme provider it may be that he has registered the work and even if not they may be able to help.

In Wales the councils will often accept an electrical installation condition report (EICR) was called a PIR from another electrician but often they have a list of preferred electricians using one off their list causes less problems.

One of the problems with English and Welsh LABC is often they assume a scheme member electrician to do the work and don't include it automatic with their inspection and there have been many cases on this forum where the electrician thought the LABC was doing it and vie versa.

It would seem it's just a tick on a form and often it is missed.

As you are in Scotland with different rules it may be different but clearly allowance has to be made for an electrician to become ill or die but not sure if scheme provider or local authority take over.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Your best option is to talk to your council's building officer, explain to them your circumstances an ask what method is best used to resolve this.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Surely if the work needed "signing off" it needed it 2 years ago when the electrician was fit and working, not now.

 

[Taylortwocities]

So the question is can any electrician do the singing off or do they need to have a special qualification?

About a year ago, the latest iteration of Building regulations (PART P) introduced the concept of a third party signatory.

It was supposed to work like this:

A person registered with one of the schemes will be able to check domestic electrical work undertaken by installers who are not registered with a Part P competent person self-certification scheme (typically DIY work) and certify that the work is compliant with the Building Regulations. Before 6th April (2014), only building control bodies (usually local authorities) could certify work by non-registered installers.

A nice idea, and one that might have solved your problem.

BUT

non of the CPS schemes has taken this up, so basically it hasnt happened.

AS above, you need to have a discussion with your LABC to see what they might accept.

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) done by a suitably competent electrician may be somthing they will consider.

 

[JohnW2]

About a year ago, the latest iteration of Building regulations (PART P) introduced the concept of a third party signatory. It was supposed to work like this: ... A nice idea, and one that might have solved your problem.

I doubt that there is an equivalent in Scotland (and we know there isn't in Wales) but, even in England, I don't think that would have "solved the OP's problem", since that scheme required the 'third party certifier' to have been engaged prior to the work being done and to inspect/supervise whilst the work was being done, as necessary.

BUT ... non of the CPS schemes has taken this up, so basically it hasnt happened.

You're behind the times. See recent discussions - as BAS discovered, at least a couple of these schemes do now exist, and there are at least some 'registered third party certifiers' out there (in England).

AS above, you need to have a discussion with your LABC to see what they might accept. ... An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) done by a suitably competent electrician may be something they will consider.

Indeed. In fact, to be realistic, they probably would have little choice but to accept an EICR (and, at least in England, probably a 'regularisation fee'!!)

Kind Regards, John