Some (probably) stupid questions about my house rewire

[polo1]

It's really all down to the contract you have with the spark (you do have a contract don't you????). Did you accept a quotation or an estimate? Unless you have agreed to the retention of accessories, then they should have all been replaced with an agreed make. Similarly the cabling - it's in the name "rewire".

Sorry to see that the relationship is/has deteriorated. If a job turned out to be harder than anticipated, that's not down to you (unless say, you had agreed to move furniture, lift carpets etc and then didn't). There are always two sides to every story, but from what you have said, demand what was agreed and don't part with a penny until that's done and you have all the paperwork mentioned elsewhere (although I feel a stalemate coming on!).

Regards.

 

[midgetman]

well if you asked for a full house rewire - you've got old color wire still there - si it cant be a full rewire

 

[Engineer54]

As has been stated, unless you agreed for the continued use of any existing wiring, then he hasn't upheld his obligations to being contracted to conduct a ''Re-Wire'' of your premises. The very fact that your outside lights are only operational if another circuit is energised is another worrying matter. The use of existing accessories on such a job is another thing i've never heard of, i can understand to some extent if they were only recently installed prior to his re-wire, but that's probably not the case is it?? lol!! In any case, that would have been a cost saving to You, ...not the electrician!!

Sounds like you need to put your foot down here, and if the worst come to the worst, employ another electrician to undertake a survey, to be paid by any outstanding monies owed to the installation electrician....

There will only be a stalemate here, if you allow one to happen. What you need to do is drive forward to a suitable and just conclusion for both sides!!!

 

[telectrix]

as above. posts. all depends on what was quoted for/agreed. in any case, i would withhold final payment until such time as you receive the appropriate certification and evidence of the sparks being registered under part p with your local authority building control. if he is not, they can make you remove plaster, lift boards, etc. and pay for inspection/testing.

 

[trev]

When I replied to your first post I mentioned earth bonding. Picture 1 is what this is, while it's not exactly neat it appears to be ok. There should be a similar cable near your gas meter.
In picture 2 what he appears to have done is jointed neutrals in the swich box. it's not something I would do but there was a thread on here on the same subject a few days ago and the general concensus was that it is acceptable. Your security lights working only when the hall light is on is because he has fed them from the wrong side of the switch. It's something that is easily rectifiable but also it should have been picked up when he was doing functional testing. Personally I don't like feeding lights that way but it's only my opinion and you know what they say.. opinions are like bottoms, everyone has one.
If you have paid for a full rewire then that is precisely what you should have got but there may be a clause in the contract which allows him to leave old cables in as long as they test out ok. You would have to check your contract for that, but if I say a property needs a rewire I don't go round testing cables individually to see if I can leave them in. It all comes out and new goes in.
Has he put a mixed colour wiring sticker on your consumer unit? It should be easy to spot as they are supposed to be in a prominent position.
If, when all your questions have been answered here you still feel aggrieved then you can go to his competent persons scheme operator and complain to them. His paperwork should identify which scheme he is with NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA are the usual ones.
In the mean time please feel free to post up any questions you have, we're a friendly bunch who all want to see the job done right.

 

[gooner1984]

hello mrsfletcher,

if you have ask for a rewire then thats what it is REWIRE, remove all the old cables and put new ones in, by the looks of it. he cut a lot of corners, and if i was you i wouldn't part with any money. those color cables are not in use anymore today we use brown blue, yellow/green its the regs. to me sounds like a cowboy job not good at all.

 

[midgetman]

if you ordered a full rewire then that is what you should get. The "electrician" should if encountered extra costs which is sometimes quite possible have advised you - not just leave the old wires in.

As far as having kitchen not on dedicated ring - that's fine. The cooker though would normally be on its own radial.

 

[Knobhead]

My first reaction is to say get trading standards involved.
You may come unstuck with the contract. But the standard of work is abysmal.

 

[trev]

You can tell me to mind my own business here MrsFletcher but how much did this "Gentleman" charge you?

 

[telectrix]

well, looking at the pics. apart from advising you not to take up photography as a career, as tony, says, the standard of work is not what i would expect from a qualified sparks. those T/E cables dangling down the water pipes are no way compliant with regs. the cables behind the switches look like roland rat has installed them for a nest.