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Hey all!
First of all I would like to apologies if im posting in the wrong section. My browser is playing hell today (it does this occasionally - you've got to love int explorer 8 lol) and I can't seem to load the "read this first or sticky" because I wanted to be sure that the topic relates to this section but I cant get the site to run properly
Now, I would appreciate some advice. Please bear with me peeps as I do tend to waffle but trust me I will try to give all the info I possibly can as it will save on questions later (but I do expect a few and have no problem with constructive critiscm).
Ok here goes. I went to do a job last weekend at the mrs's grandads' (family job yeah). Simple job really. Change a double switched socket for new (rocker switch broken/stuck), and replace 2 single blanking plates for single switched socket outlets. Dead easy!
Well, I went to the mains board to isolate as you do and observed a TNS with 80A main cut out supplying a wylex 10 way rewireable board. Three cables (2.5mm) have been ragged out of the board and cut short (don't know why at this point and was not overly concerned).
I did mention to the customer (mrs's grandad remember and she is also present so a tad awkward) that his board could do with an upgrade as he is still using rewireable fuses BS3036 and it isn't really ideal nor safe. Now, I removed the relevant fuses and changed the double socket no problem, but upon changing the single sockets and upon re-energising, realized that there was no feed at both of them.
Guessed it? yep, them cut wires. No point asking the old man as he didn’t even know why they were blank plated. So, I continue to tell him that "your double socket works fine and there is power there, however the two single sockets have no feed there due to the fact that the cables have been simply cut short and completely removed form the board (showing him at this point).
He pointed to a spare way and said "can you not just extend the wires then and put it in that one?" - pointing to a 15A rated Blue carrier. I was like, well, erm not really as it isn’t safe and im sure you would all agree running 2 x 13A radials of 1 x 15A fuse wire is not a good idea and lets face it the wrong fuse wire could be installed and oh, did I mention the installation has NO RCD protection? Well, that’s another thing I had to mention (by this time im really embarrassed as gf is looking at me weird and I know she is thinking "your after more money you were only here to change some plugs - she thinks they are plugs lol women
So, I was expecting an awkward moment as I certainly felt awkward when I replied that I wasn’t prepared to extend the cables and put them in the 15A supply, being the only spare way left. He simply replied "how much then would it cost to upgrade the board then to make it safe to allow connection of these sockets?" Well, of course my mind is racing here as I have never priced a job up and didn't really know what to do or say other than the old age favorite "leave it with me".
I had a look around just before leaving and also noticed that the main gas isn’t bonded so that is a job in itself. The run I would say is approx 20 plus metres. Now, I proposed to him to upgrade the board to a 12 way split load mains board to obviously offer RCD protection with 100A main switch. I also mentioned that the earthing must be done. Am I right that before I even contemplated changing the sockets I should have checked both gas and water were bonded? (Not sure could do with info regarding this a mate sparky said this was legit).
OK. Here are my questions (finally you ask lol):
*I am a fully qualified JIB electrician - but, I do not work for myself, I am not employed as such and am not part P registered. Therefore can I do this mains board change as a cash job (shhhhhh)?
*Am I allowed to provide an electrical installation certificate even though the above applies? (A sparky mate said he would come and test out the job but I would have to sign the paperwork)
*If I DID provide certification would it be null and void the second I put pen to paper? As again I stress that im not self employed or company based (strictly cash)
*How much do you think I should charge for the job plus materials (considering first priced job as im a price virgin lol - give me credit we've all been there and its family, well sort
*finally, do I need to notify building control is it (believe they sign it off and that it costs a fortune - again advice here would be much appreciated).
So sorry for the rant and the on going story. Think I’ve covered everything. Any questions or help please let me know. Peace out
First of all I would like to apologies if im posting in the wrong section. My browser is playing hell today (it does this occasionally - you've got to love int explorer 8 lol) and I can't seem to load the "read this first or sticky" because I wanted to be sure that the topic relates to this section but I cant get the site to run properly
Now, I would appreciate some advice. Please bear with me peeps as I do tend to waffle but trust me I will try to give all the info I possibly can as it will save on questions later (but I do expect a few and have no problem with constructive critiscm).
Ok here goes. I went to do a job last weekend at the mrs's grandads' (family job yeah). Simple job really. Change a double switched socket for new (rocker switch broken/stuck), and replace 2 single blanking plates for single switched socket outlets. Dead easy!
Well, I went to the mains board to isolate as you do and observed a TNS with 80A main cut out supplying a wylex 10 way rewireable board. Three cables (2.5mm) have been ragged out of the board and cut short (don't know why at this point and was not overly concerned).
I did mention to the customer (mrs's grandad remember and she is also present so a tad awkward) that his board could do with an upgrade as he is still using rewireable fuses BS3036 and it isn't really ideal nor safe. Now, I removed the relevant fuses and changed the double socket no problem, but upon changing the single sockets and upon re-energising, realized that there was no feed at both of them.
Guessed it? yep, them cut wires. No point asking the old man as he didn’t even know why they were blank plated. So, I continue to tell him that "your double socket works fine and there is power there, however the two single sockets have no feed there due to the fact that the cables have been simply cut short and completely removed form the board (showing him at this point).
He pointed to a spare way and said "can you not just extend the wires then and put it in that one?" - pointing to a 15A rated Blue carrier. I was like, well, erm not really as it isn’t safe and im sure you would all agree running 2 x 13A radials of 1 x 15A fuse wire is not a good idea and lets face it the wrong fuse wire could be installed and oh, did I mention the installation has NO RCD protection? Well, that’s another thing I had to mention (by this time im really embarrassed as gf is looking at me weird and I know she is thinking "your after more money you were only here to change some plugs - she thinks they are plugs lol women
So, I was expecting an awkward moment as I certainly felt awkward when I replied that I wasn’t prepared to extend the cables and put them in the 15A supply, being the only spare way left. He simply replied "how much then would it cost to upgrade the board then to make it safe to allow connection of these sockets?" Well, of course my mind is racing here as I have never priced a job up and didn't really know what to do or say other than the old age favorite "leave it with me".
I had a look around just before leaving and also noticed that the main gas isn’t bonded so that is a job in itself. The run I would say is approx 20 plus metres. Now, I proposed to him to upgrade the board to a 12 way split load mains board to obviously offer RCD protection with 100A main switch. I also mentioned that the earthing must be done. Am I right that before I even contemplated changing the sockets I should have checked both gas and water were bonded? (Not sure could do with info regarding this a mate sparky said this was legit).
OK. Here are my questions
(finally you ask lol):*I am a fully qualified JIB electrician - but, I do not work for myself, I am not employed as such and am not part P registered. Therefore can I do this mains board change as a cash job (shhhhhh)?
*Am I allowed to provide an electrical installation certificate even though the above applies? (A sparky mate said he would come and test out the job but I would have to sign the paperwork)
*If I DID provide certification would it be null and void the second I put pen to paper? As again I stress that im not self employed or company based (strictly cash)
*How much do you think I should charge for the job plus materials (considering first priced job as im a price virgin lol - give me credit we've all been there and its family, well sort
*finally, do I need to notify building control is it (believe they sign it off and that it costs a fortune - again advice here would be much appreciated).
So sorry for the rant and the on going story. Think I’ve covered everything. Any questions or help please let me know. Peace out
