Signing off others work

[Luke105]

Evening all.

Is there a stigma of signing off someone else’s work?
If you came out and tested and all was ok…are you happy to sign off?

Anyone who strictly would not entertain this?

I don’t have the test and inspect certs so am unable to do this but don’t want to run into a problem once I’m ready for sign off.

Just like peoples opinions.

Thanks

 

[buzzlightyear]

Is there a stigma of signing off someone else’s work?
If you came out and tested and all was ok…are you happy to sign off?

no,you will be liable for it .but do a EICR before hand and everything fine then it your call.

 

[Luke105]

no,you will be liable for it .but do a EICR before hand and everything fine then it your call.

Sorry. Before what?

I’ll just explain the situation.

We need to do a rewire in a house we are buying. We aren’t able to pay for a rewire as the costs are just too high.

I would like to do the rewire. I’m able to leave plaster off, ceilings down so wires can be seen.

If I was to do this and get an EICR would this be ok?

Feel like I’m stuck in the mud.

 

[buzzlightyear]

We need to do a rewire in a house we are buying. We aren’t able to pay for a rewire as the costs are just too high.

I would like to do the rewire

the only way is to employ a spark to work with you ..and cut cost down ,he will test it and part peee.it

 

[buzzlightyear]

f I was to do this and get an EICR would this be ok

regarding a EICR is for some body to test it after the work is done
its like a engine taken out of a car before the mot is done.

 

[Luke105]

I think I need to do some investigating on the notification before things start.

I’ve done part p and 18th edition wiring regs but haven’t done my testing so those 2 quals I do have seem pretty useless.

Let me put a scenario to you…..If I was to rewire everything socket and switch wise….feed everything into a board so it works.

Could I not get an electrician round to simply install a new board?

That way it’s in essence just a board change and they should be happy I sign it off once new board is fitted.

 

[i=p/u]

Maybe ask someone you know or work with, who would do this for you. Not many sparks you dont know would do this.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Let me put a scenario to you…..If I was to rewire everything socket and switch wise….feed everything into a board so it works.

Could I not get an electrician round to simply install a new board

are you covered insurance wise for this.maybe some one here could help you do all the graft and they sit in a armchair watching you.

 

[i=p/u]

Only you would do that buzz.. I dont know any who would give up their time for him to save cash, again unless they know him

 

[James]

speak to the local building control
if you notify them before the work starts and submit the correct certificates they should allow it, there is often a charge for the service.

 

[buzzlightyear]

Only you would do that buzz.. I dont know any who would give up their time for him to save cash, again unless they know him

i hope he has long pockets like a beanman from a circus .

 

[Risteard]

Could I not get an electrician round to simply install a new board?

That way it’s in essence just a board change and they should be happy I sign it off once new board is fitted.

What you appear to be missing is that the replacement of the DB would literally be the ONLY thing they were certifying. They would not be certifying any existing work whatsoever.

 

[Luke105]

What you appear to be missing is that the replacement of the DB would literally be the ONLY thing they were certifying. They would not be certifying any existing work whatsoever.

No they wouldn’t. But they would test the board and circuits and sign off. If everything tested ok then that sounds ok? Or is it still dodgy.

I can’t see this causing me any issues now or further down the line? What do you think

 

[Luke105]

speak to the local building control
if you notify them before the work starts and submit the correct certificates they should allow it, there is often a charge for the service.

I did look at this and maybe I should call them.

Is it a case of notifying them and paying a fee.

Do first fix, they come and check. Do second fix they come and sign off?

Do I need a certified electrician to sign the job or test etc?

 

[ipf]

Don't even think about a 'board only' test, all the work needs to be certified.

speak to the local building control
if you notify them before the work starts and submit the correct certificates they should allow it, there is often a charge for the service.

That's the way to go if you have no qualified person to help.
Someone may help you out for less cost than the first option. Get a price from Building Control.

 

[Luke105]

Don't even think about a 'board only' test, all the work needs to be certified.


That's the way to go if you have no qualified person to help.
Someone may help you out for less cost than the first option. Get a price from Building Control.

What do you mean by submitting the correct certificates?

I think my main issue with it all is obviously the cost, but the fact that I’m able to do the running of the cables myself etc.

Anyway I think I may do this option.

I do know a few qualified electricians but they aren’t able to self certify as they aren’t with a scheme.

Just so I know they aren’t talking rubbish before I ask….
If me and him do the install together…how do you get an EIC if he cannot self certify?

Is this where the local building control come in and do the sign off?

Thanks everyone so far for taking the time to listen to my dribble

 

[James]

Anyone can fill in an EIC, however you may need to prove you are competent if asked later.
if he is qualified then there should be no problem with him issuing an EIC.
you then have to use it for the final stage of notification to building control.

 

[Luke105]

Anyone can fill in an EIC, however you may need to prove you are competent if asked later.
if he is qualified then there should be no problem with him issuing an EIC.
you then have to use it for the final stage of notification to building control.

Thanks James I think I’m getting it now

I’ll give them a call tomorrow to clarify some things.

So the differences here are that my electrician friend can do pretty much everything but as he is not registered with niceic etc then we have to notify building control before and after? And of course pay a fee.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Going back a few years but after I left my cards in job and went self employed I couldn't be bothered to join a scam initially so paid an old mate who was NIC to notify my part pee work. On one occasion he was away or something and I needed to notify a job so I ran the BC and they passed me around a bit but in the end accepted an EICR and passed the job for no additional fee ( it was a big extension + new board ) so the BC had already been paid by the home owner for the build part of the job.

But back to the OP , if I moved into a new house and it urgently needed a full re-wire I would just do the re-wire ad to hell with notifying it to the BC. Its my house and I will do what I want.

 

[catdog1121]

So what I have done before is I have designed the install, you put where you want the sockets, I mark out all the chases, I say what boxes I want, I tell you what screws to use and grommets.. You cut all the chases and fit all the back boxes.. I then with you run in all the cables, you do all the capping (I then test), and fill the chases.. If you are competent ill let you do some of the second fixing but leave like the sockets off and ill check before letting you screw them back, then I test and certify, only I do the board...

This can save a lot of money by working with a sparky and I personally don't see the difference between that and having an apprentice or someone work with me..

I have worked with people who have said they have done "part P" and are 17th or 18th edition qualified and they do really basic things wrong like diagonal chases..

Your big danger if you go down the route of building control is if they find any issues or anything they don't like you either have to try and find the fault/fix it or redo parts of it..

The alternative is don't buy the house if you can't afford the house and to make it safe, sorry to be harsh but I am guessing its cheap because it needs things like a rewire... Bottom line though to answer your question no self respecting sparky is going to want anything to do with signing off your work, its just too much risk for basically no reward... Your asking someone to sign to say they designed it, constructed it and tested it and take all that responsibility when they didn't do it... Much better to work with the electrician so you do the grunt work, will still not be cheap but then a rewire will never be cheap, especially with the price of materials at the moment.

 

[Luke105]

So what I have done before is I have designed the install, you put where you want the sockets, I mark out all the chases, I say what boxes I want, I tell you what screws to use and grommets.. You cut all the chases and fit all the back boxes.. I then with you run in all the cables, you do all the capping (I then test), and fill the chases.. If you are competent ill let you do some of the second fixing but leave like the sockets off and ill check before letting you screw them back, then I test and certify, only I do the board...

This can save a lot of money by working with a sparky and I personally don't see the difference between that and having an apprentice or someone work with me..

I have worked with people who have said they have done "part P" and are 17th or 18th edition qualified and they do really basic things wrong like diagonal chases..

Your big danger if you go down the route of building control is if they find any issues or anything they don't like you either have to try and find the fault/fix it or redo parts of it..

The alternative is don't buy the house if you can't afford the house and to make it safe, sorry to be harsh but I am guessing its cheap because it needs things like a rewire... Bottom line though to answer your question no self respecting sparky is going to want anything to do with signing off your work, its just too much risk for basically no reward... Your asking someone to sign to say they designed it, constructed it and tested it and take all that responsibility when they didn't do it... Much better to work with the electrician so you do the grunt work, will still not be cheap but then a rewire will never be cheap, especially with the price of materials at the moment.

I’m happy to do what you’ve said with the chasing first fix, plastering after etc. i would not be running diagonal chases. I don’t know how I’d approach this though with an electrician.

Do I ring one up to come and see the job and explain I want to do the monkey work?

Yes the house was top end of our budget but the road it’s on is way out of our budget…..so taking the rough with the smooth.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Which begs the question what ever happened to 3rd Party Certification ?

Wasn't this the big next thing where you could do a job , ring up a company and for a small fee sign off the job

 

[Luke105]

Going back a few years but after I left my cards in job and went self employed I couldn't be bothered to join a scam initially so paid an old mate who was NIC to notify my part pee work. On one occasion he was away or something and I needed to notify a job so I ran the BC and they passed me around a bit but in the end accepted an EICR and passed the job for no additional fee ( it was a big extension + new board ) so the BC had already been paid by the home owner for the build part of the job.

But back to the OP , if I moved into a new house and it urgently needed a full re-wire I would just do the re-wire ad to hell with notifying it to the BC. Its my house and I will do what I want.

Well that’s another point. The rewire is stopping most the other work being done. So when we get the keys the work does need to start immediately.

I think eicr may be the best option in my situation. Or the board change scenario.

 

[littlespark]

Will the LABC actually check?
Put yourself down as design and construction, your mate as tester. They don’t have to be the same person.

Are you employed as a spark? Is there someone in the company that could help?

 

[LukeD]

Going back a few years but after I left my cards in job and went self employed I couldn't be bothered to join a scam initially so paid an old mate who was NIC to notify my part pee work. On one occasion he was away or something and I needed to notify a job so I ran the BC and they passed me around a bit but in the end accepted an EICR and passed the job for no additional fee ( it was a big extension + new board ) so the BC had already been paid by the home owner for the build part of the job.

But back to the OP , if I moved into a new house and it urgently needed a full re-wire I would just do the re-wire ad to hell with notifying it to the BC. Its my house and I will do what I want.

THis !!! If you are super happy to carry out the work. Crack on and tell no one . When you come to sell etc etc deny touching it .If you need to let , get a EICR done (So any work you do must pass this !)

 

[Luke105]

THis !!! If you are super happy to carry out the work. Crack on and tell no one . When you come to sell etc etc deny touching it .If you need to let , get a EICR done (So any work you do must pass this !)

I think I’ve sorted this now. Someone is willing to design and inspect at 1st 2nd then test and certify.

That will save me some £

Thanks all

 

[mattg4321]

Reality is you can do what you like in your own place to a certain extent as no one will know. Fit your own electrics or gas boiler if you want! How do you know it’s safe though? Do you have the correct test equipment and know how to use it? I suspect not, but I can understand your predicament.

Personally I won’t touch anything that has involved cables run or connected by DIYers. Too much aggro for me.

What I would entertain is customer chasing walls and lifting floorboards leaving me free to do the electrical work. This would probably halve the amount of time I would be on site IF done properly. The reality is that most (not all) diyers cock up the chasing and have no idea which boards to lift and which joists to drill so I can crack on. I would only entertain this type of job on a day rate.

 

[ipf]

But back to the OP , if I moved into a new house and it urgently needed a full re-wire I would just do the re-wire ad to hell with notifying it to the BC. Its my house and I will do what I want.

I'm with you there....but you're a qualified spark. The O/P is in the trade and has some knowledge.
What if any 'informed' diy'er or cowboy does it?

 

[Dustydazzler]

I'm with you there....but you're a qualified spark.
What if any 'informed' diy'er or cowboy does it?

I would suggest they get some assistance from a sparks

In the same way I would suggest they get some assistance from a builder if they were knocking out an internal wall

 

[Dustydazzler]

Reality is you can do what you like in your own place to a certain extent as no one will know. Fit your own electrics or gas boiler if you want! How do you know it’s safe though? Do you have the correct test equipment and know how to use it? I suspect not, but I can understand your predicament.

Personally I won’t touch anything that has involved cables run or connected by DIYers. Too much aggro for me.

What I would entertain is customer chasing walls and lifting floorboards leaving me free to do the electrical work. This would probably halve the amount of time I would be on site IF done properly. The reality is that most (not all) diyers cock up the chasing and have no idea which boards to lift and which joists to drill so I can crack on. I would only entertain this type of job on a day rate.

I would consider doing re-wires again if all home owners lifted the carpets , removed the chip board floora and bashed out the boxes for me in advance