Need help which contractor to go with

[davesparks]

Thanks. Quote 1 did say two certificates but quotes 2 and 3 said only one cert is needed - is that ok?

Its a 3 bed terrace house - so are those times for a full rewire correct - 3-5 days?

Had a quick look at RCBO - it may work out better if we drop the metal sockets and use that money towards upgrading to all RCBO?

There should be an electrical installation certificate and a smoke alarms certificate.

There are too many factors involved to be able to put a time to the job, how many people will be working on it, how well the job goes, how much furniture they have to move, how many problems they encounter, how many changes are made during the work.

It is easier to change white sockets to decorative ones in the future, maybe one room at a time, than it is to change to RCBO's after the job is completed.
Get the infrastructure right now and the decorative elements can be changed later.

 

[Taylortwocities]

As above, I’d probably go for 3 (I favour Hager, and all RCBO is the way to go).

Please make sure that, whoever you go with, includes certification to BS7671 and also notification to LABC. To do this, they must be registered with one if the COMPETENT PERSON SCHEMES. They should be listed here:

Home

 

[richy3333]

Hager board with RCBO's and SPD, dont get a split load board - future proofing

Data cables are simple to install

Aico fire alarms

Hager or Click sockets for us. BG is nasty in our experience. No idea why a contractor won't fit your own sockets. We would but wouldn't offer any type of guarantee on them and if they are faulty then additional costs are your expense

Certificates for Fire detection and electrical work. We only do reports/certs for data in commercial realm

No idea about Part P as not in England

 

[DefyG]

The durations quoted are a bit irrelevant I suppose as you don't know if it will be 1,2 or 3 guys turning up to work!
As they are all 'in the same ball park' its not a cost issue just a dilemma deciding who might be best!

 

[Vortigern]

Suggest you have a contract from who ever you choose. This should list all the work agreed and location of accessories such as sockets. You need to clarify items such as carpets and relaying them where removed. Rubbish removal off site. Plastering, who is going to do the making good for chases etc. The contract should mention these matters and the price and time scale. You should also see a complaints procedure if things go wrong. You should have site of their credentials such as competent person scheme, insurance details and clarify building control procedure.
Number 1 sounds a little deficient in that he will not fit the items you want. He is not sure about network cabling, and is not clear with you that he does not understand it and requirements. It would have been better for him to say it is not in his skill set rather than say certification is needed. Five days is about right assuming you don't run into problems. It is rare for a job to go perfectly as planned. If the house is occupied then maybe a couple more days.
You should have been offered the chance to fit surge protection devices, also Arc Fault detection devices. I agree with the above in that RCBO are the way to go. Dual RCD boards are so yesterday!

 

[bill01803]

I think I would look elsewhere for quotes explaining exactly what you want

 

[Dustydazzler]

You are missing a key bit of information....

the price

 

[James]

Firstly, congratulations on making best endeavours to get this done correctly.

You are doing all the right things to avoid the pitfalls many fall in to.

Get several quotes from professional contractors
Actually read quotes and compare on details, not just cost
Get advise from independent people who understand the topic

I am not keen on contractor 1, seems a bit inflexible and wants to do it his way or not at all.
Sometimes this can lead to conflict as the job progresses, often regarding the positioning of accessories etc.

As to fitting your own supplied sockets etc, I think his attitude seems stubborn and unwilling to provide the finished job that you envisioned.
As said before, as long as it meets the relevant standards then in my opinion, it should be fitted if requested.
(As with any device purchased by the end customer themselves, the warranty lies with the person that supplied it. Not the person who installed it, providing it was installed correctly)

Number 2
Just a little concerned about the comment,
Not done network install before but can do.

Although not dangerous normally if not done correctly, if you are paying someone to install networking, you expect to have someone who has experience and knowledge required to do the job correctly.

I like the “can do” attitude of number 3

Seems to want to do the job you requested, rather than provide the job that he would like to do.

The next steps you should be thinking of are

Email preferred contractor,
If not already detailed on the quote
Specifying quantities of switches and sockets required in each room
Specifying type and quantities of lights in each room

Ensure that you agree on the heights and position of sockets, switches, distribution board etc.

Suggesting a reasonable time frame for the job to start and finish within.

Ensure that payment terms are detailed correctly

Being a short job. Days, not weeks. I would not expect any staggered payments etc.

Money up front for materials etc, would be a big NO WAY, whatever the Back story or excuse was.
Personally, I won’t pay anything until presented with an invoice detailing what I am paying.

I expect there standard payment terms for that type of job are
TOTAL INVOICE DUE ON COMPLETION

If you have never dealt with them before, I would consider agreeing with them 90% on completion, final 10% on supply of all relevant certificates.

 

[Taylortwocities]

^^^What he said^^^^

…and don’t forget to check that your selected contractor really is a registered with one of the COMPETENT PERSON SCHEMES. Check if they are listed here:
www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk

 

[James]

^^^What he said^^^^

…and don’t forget to check that your selected contractor really is a registered with one of the COMPETENT PERSON SCHEMES. Check if they are listed here:
www.electricalcompetentperson.co.uk

Dam, forgot that bit, it is really important.
Well spotted Taylor