Advice needed on customer

[timhoward]

I could swap the main switch for an RCD main switch as there’s only 4 circuits,

I'd be arguing relentlessly with myself in these circumstances!

On the one hand conceding to any lesser job is sort of approving a lower standard.
On the other hand I'd struggle to sleep having had some indirect responsibility for adding sockets and there being no RCD.
(let alone no SPD, maybe plastic CU)

I'm also wondering if it's actually better/possible to add a compatible type A RCBO to the sockets circuit as maybe that was the only circuit modified(?), and that leaves the lights on if the sockets trip.
Horrible decisions!

 

[davesparks]

Yes I get that you’re not meant to energise without protection being up to scratch. The problem being the kitchen had to get ahead as the kitchen firm had it booked in that week, I’d hoped to be back the following week to swap the board over. There was no new circuits added, just a few extra sockets & switches. I’m sure everyone knows things aren’t always done in the order they should be, always a bit of come & go to get people up & running.

Yes we all sometimes have to do things we wouldn't normally do in order to get things working, keep the customer happy etc etc. But when we do something like that we have to understand that we are taking a risk and it may well come back to bite us.

This is when having a good paper trail behind you can help to keep you out of trouble.

Do you have a paper trail that proves you quoted for all necessary works, made it clear that it all needs to be done for a safe, compliant job, and proof that the customer agreed to the whole quote and has chosen to cancel the job part-way through?

 

[davesparks]

Sorry, forgot to reply to the other parts. Building control not involved no. I billed the customer for the other electricians work then paid him. I could swap the main switch for an RCD main switch as there’s only 4 circuits, this would keep the price down but I’m no keen to have the whole house on one RCD. This would at least give the circuits more protection. Could I possibly do this, then issue the EICR & note that the rest of the installation is unsafe due to the bonding problem?

Has the customer paid for the EICR to be carried out or are they going to pay for it? If not don't issue it.

An EICR is not relevant to the installation work carried out, that needs to be certified with either a minor works or EIC.

If you have just altered 2 circuits and not worked on any others then it is only those 2 circuits that you strictly need to ensure compliance of, could this be done by installing 2 RCBO's or a seperate enclosure with 2 RCDs?

 

[snowhead]

Is the installation any less safe than it was before the recent additional work,, No.
(presumably nothing stupid has been done to make it worse)

If the recent work had not been done would the installation be any safer,, No.

As long as you have written proof the customer is not prepared to pay for recommended work and the above statements are correct, you are covered.

Given the customer's response I doubt they would let you in to do any futher work, even if at no cost, for fear you may want to remove / disconnect the work that has been done.

 

[SSE]

First of all thanks for your help, good to get different views. Panic over! They’ve decided they will go ahead & get the work done. They said they weren’t against getting the board replaced they just thought the extra work would involve running 10mm earth through lobby where there’s laminate flooring then in the extension where the new kitchen is they thought would also be getting patches cut etc. Fortunately we noticed the old 6mm that feeds the tank that is no longer in the attic is still in, so I’ll be able to tie onto this & pull right up into the attic over to a shaft that drops down into extension where stopcock is, then from there run the cable under the kick boards to the boiler pipe work where it enters the extension. Have to say, the husband still wasn’t keen to do it “we’ve not had any problems with not having it so far”. Luckily the wife was having none of it & wants it done.

 

[timhoward]

Good to hear!

Have to say, the husband still wasn’t keen to do it “we’ve not had any problems with not having it so far”.

My standard response to that sort of comment is in that case can he sell me the ABS and air bags from his car as he hasn’t needed those either so far.