Advice wanted - unhappy with rewire

[Sarah123]

Hi all

Hoping I could get some independent advice on here. We've just bought our first property and had to get a full house rewire on the property (3 bed semi). Our electricians had finished the work within 2 days (2 electricians working on it). When asked when they were coming back, they said they didn't need to come back for a second fix as they'd finished it all. As we didn't know any better, we assumed all was fine and paid up because that said they wouldn't give paperwork till payment was made.

Since then, we have had a few issues. Our plasterer has been really surprised at the poor standard of work - they have had to plaster around all sockets and spotlights in kitchen.

1. The holes made to put in the sockets are generally quite a bit larger than the face of the external socket casing.
2. One of the sockets had a loose wire that was not connected when the plasterer was plastering around.
3. Another socket melted the builder's plug (smoke coming out as well), but didn't activate the trip switch.
4. An armoured cable they put in to light the garage is coming out of the consumer unit and through the floorboards in the bedroom in front of (rather than behind) the skirting board.
5. No paperwork 3 weeks after despite chasing him for this before everything else happened.

Would really appreciate any feedback as not sure if these are common or we really are within our rights to be taking this further? We tried contacting the electrician a couple of days ago, but he's not able to come till Monday evening, but his general response is telling me that he's blaming the plasterer's work.

Thanks!

 

[telectrix]

and cutting out for boxes with a wrecking ball. no excuse when we have angle grinders and the like enabling neat cut outs requiring the minimum of filling.

 

[dinger809]

Also, the cables should have had capping over them before the plasterer does his bit, to stop the plaster rotting the cables. This is a job for the electrician and is part of the first fix

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Plastering looks doggers.

Boxes are not to bad, more care probably would have been taken if the plasterers wernt following

Agree plasterer before second fix, however the client has possibly asked for it this was as a lived in house?

 

[Dave OCD]

I think it's shoddy, I'd definitely have put the chased in new cables in oval tubing or at the very least capping and fixed it back properly too. And they're definitely not clean workers.

 

[telectrix]

plaster does not rot cables.old wives tale from the days of lime plaster and rubber cables.

 

[dinger809]

plaster does not rot cables.old wives tale from the days of lime plaster and rubber cables.

The cables should still have something over them, capping, tube or the like

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Not according to the regs they dont need to. Ovel tube everyday for me though

 

[Andy78]

The cables should still have something over them, capping, tube or the like

Not always needed at all and definitely not indicative of a bad job.

 

[Baddegg]

I always oval my cables dinger, but that’s more to prevent the spreads nicking the cable and just plastering it over, don’t believe there’s any requirement in the regs....

 

[dinger809]

Not always needed at all and definitely not indicative of a bad job.

I think it’s laziness and should be done. In my humble opinion it shows a lack of professionalism and personal pride.

 

[SJD]

The cables should still have something over them, capping, tube or the like

Depends, the capping or oval conduit is more to keep the plasterer from damaging the cables with their trowel.

One builder I sometimes work alongside, prefers to avoid capping as it tends to bulge and can lead to thin patches of plaster. But his guys are careful and can work with cables just clipped to the bricks/blocks without damaging them.

 

[dinger809]

Not always needed at all and definitely not indicative of a bad job.

I’ve not said the regs demand it, but as I said to another, in my opinion it should be done and shows a lack of professionalism and personal pride leaving the cables like that. It does protect them to during plastering and just feels (in my humble opinion) more professional

 

[Rpa07]

That brown doesn’t even look like it’s been clamped so the tug test probably wasn’t carried out. I know the electrician and his mate need to defend themselves so not wishing to come down heavy.
Is 2 days a bit of a rush for a full rewire with two of them. I feel it would lead to some sloppiness and with a want not to return to second fix but to do it all in one instead speaks of greed to me and not customer satisfaction.
I hope he steps up and puts all right and proves us wrong, for the sake of the trade.

 

[Sarah123]

Hi, looking at those pics, putting back boxes in solid walls, you nearly always end up with larger holes than the boxes, due to the nature of brick/block work and plaster breaking off.
As others have said, fixing the face plates back, should be done after the plastering and painting has been completed.
As for the live coming out, with all due respect, if this had been fixed I’m securely (I always give my conductors a good tug to ensure they’re secure) it shouldn’t have happened, even if the plasterer has pulled the socket, as this could happen to anyone taking off the face plate in this instance.
A loose conductor should have been detected during testing, with a higher resistance reading. It would be interesting to see the schedule of test results for this circuit

Thanks - that's a good point. We could ask for the schedule of test results. I'm hoping he'll be bringing some paperwork on Monday.

 

[Baddegg]

I would take some solice in the fact that if 2 people rewired a 3 bedhouse in 2 days they fairly experienced Sarah, if a little hasty,

 

[Sarah123]

That brown doesn’t even look like it’s been clamped so the tug test probably wasn’t carried out. I know the electrician and his mate need to defend themselves so not wishing to come down heavy.
Is 2 days a bit of a rush for a full rewire with two of them. I feel it would lead to some sloppiness and with a want not to return to second fix but to do it all in one instead speaks of greed to me and not customer satisfaction.
I hope he steps up and puts all right and proves us wrong, for the sake of the trade.

Thanks all for your replies - it's definitely helped us feel more justified in the concerns we have, but helped us to know what is reasonable to expect in terms of cutting out etc. All much appreciated

 

[Leesparkykent]

The chasing does look sloppy but the installation could be fine. To be totally honest the cock up seems like, lack of planning/naivety on your behalf which the electrician shouldn’t be held countable for imo. The installation could be turned off, unscrew the accessories, pull them forward, sandwich bag them up, plasterer can make good then screw the accessories back. Plasterer is probably making a mountain out of mole hill because his work looks rubbish!

 

[Blaspark]

Thanks all for your replies - it's definitely helped us feel more justified in the concerns we have, but helped us to know what is reasonable to expect in terms of cutting out etc. All much appreciated

Contact us - http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/Contact-Us
I wouldn't trust them to put it right. Contact their scheme. Ask them to help. Contact your local council and complain about people operating like that in the local area ask your council to liase with the scheme as well.

 

[Blaspark]

The chasing does look sloppy but the installation could be fine. To be totally honest the cock up seems like, lack of planning/naivety on your behalf which the electrician shouldn’t be held countable for imo. The installation could be turned off, unscrew the accessories, pull them forward, sandwich bag them up, plasterer can make good then screw the accessories back. Plasterer is probably making a mountain out of mole hill because his work looks rubbish!

If the electrician didn't test he should have made it very clear not to use the power. Either she's lying or the spark should be out of business. This is a Web forum, we can't decide

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

Contact us - http://www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk/Contact-Us
I wouldn't trust them to put it right. Contact their scheme. Ask them to help. Contact your local council and complain about people operating like that in the local area ask your council to liase with the scheme as well.

Hold on there mate.A bit OTT.So for screwing accessories on too early they need reporting to numerous organisations for this heinous crime? Get a grip.It's posts like this that get my goat

 

[Blaspark]

Hold on there mate.A bit OTT.So for screwing accessories on too early they need reporting to numerous organisations for this heinous crime? Get a grip.It's posts like this that get my goat

It's unsafe work and taking advantage of unsuspecting members of the public that get my goat. I'm well aware of the standards on this forum. Your attitude doesn't surprise me

 

[Leesparkykent]

Hold on there mate.A bit OTT.So for screwing accessories on too early they need reporting to numerous organisations for this heinous crime? Get a grip.It's posts like this that get my goat

Spot on.

 

[Blaspark]

Spot on.

You can say what you like. Unsafe is not allowed. You guys are acting like bullies. The electrical work is dodgy and she's out of her depth.

 

[Blaspark]

You can disagree all you like but show me how that's OK. I can show you where it's not acceptable.
The standards on this forum are ridiculous.

 

[Leesparkykent]

It's unsafe work and taking advantage of unsuspecting members of the public that get my goat. I'm well aware of the standards on this forum. Your attitude doesn't surprise me

I take it the unsafe bit is the fact the line conductor has come out? For all you know the plaster could of been yanking it around left, right and center. Because it’s been 2nd fixed before its been plastered you think it’s acceptable to report the contractor to the their scheme and also the local council....Have a word

 

[Blaspark]

The second fix has been done. That is the connection of all the accessories, testing, and energising.

This should not have been done ahead of the plastering but that is down to what arrangements were in place between you and all trades.

You should have received an EIC and building control paperwork.... keep pestering them for this, all in written form, and if they ignore you it's time to get in touch with trading standards and/or the scheme that your electrician belongs to.

Why do I get called dumb for stating what this fella and any reasonable person would state

 

[Deleted member 105166]

Don’t jump the gun, the guy is coming back on Monday to see his customer and hopefully rectify her concerns.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Don’t jump the gun, the guy is coming back on Monday to see his customer and hopefully rectify her concerns.

Exactly that.

 

[Blaspark]

What's the term we often use for competent person schemes on this board and in the industry generally? Is it scam?
It wasn't done right. It was unsafe. If it was tested when it was finished where are the certificates. If there's no certificate did he inform her, in writing to cover his back, not to switch it on?
Does safe locking off include for example a lock?

 

[Leesparkykent]

What's the term we often use for competent person schemes on this board and in the industry generally? Is it scam?
It wasn't done right. It was unsafe. If it was tested when it was finished where are the certificates. If there's no certificate did he inform her, in writing to cover his back, not to switch it on?
Does safe locking off include for example a lock?

why shouldn’t it of been switched on, if all tested and screwed back?