What would you do - dodgy builder

highspark · Mar 20, 2015

Had a phone call from a regular customer telling me the builder who's doing her extension said there is no grommets on the existing sockets (which we fitted re wiring the place 18 months ago).

At first I thought there's no way we hadn't put grommets on but further through the day I started to question the lads work and thought maybe one of them had just forgot to put them in. I always check the lads work but with it being months and months ago slight doubts started to creep in.... She's a regular customer, why would she lie???

Anyhow I went to the property last night to inspect all backboxes. I was there for two hours walking around with customer. EVERY single back box was grommeted through the entire property except (conveniently) 2 sockets and a light switch on the existing part of her kitchen which they are adding to.

It gets worse..... The builder had told her that she wouldn't be able to sell her house if there was no grommets in!

Long story short the builders price was inclusive of the first fix only (he's not part p registered) however he's an "electrical engineer and he's really good". He was going to get his mate to sign it off. But home owner said she would ask me to second fix. I've gave her a price.

Basically I think he's tried to shaft me to get the work. How convenient that those sockets that he opened up didn't have grommets on? He also plastered the sockets in the wall yesterday without putting any on. Making my life difficult to put them back in!

I can't see any routes he's ran his cables etc. I like the lady we've done lots of work for her but on this occasion I might just say thanks but no thanks. The phone call I received was of a frightened woman making accusations. I questioned the standard of my employees workmanship etc etc

in this position what would you do?

Leesparkykent · Mar 20, 2015

For 1 I wouldn't be providing a EIC for work I hadn't carried out ie; the 1st fix.

Octopus · Mar 20, 2015

I don't do 2nd fixes and test FOR ANYONE - especially when LABC will want it signed off.

Why do you quote on this basis?

Marvo · Mar 20, 2015

Send her an email saying how concerned you are that she might be taken for a ride and you feel her builder is using scare tactics. Explain there's no way you can sign off somebody elses installation work and if they can't sign off their own work they shouldn't be doing it. As for the two missing grommets, unless you took photos of your first/second fix I guess you'll have to give her the benefit of the doubt and offer to put them in.

telectrix · Mar 20, 2015

strange how your lads managed to miss just the grommets where the builder would find it. i'd not put it past the shifty sod to have cut them out to make himself look good.

Plonker 3 · Mar 20, 2015

I cant believe there is thread about grommets lol

uksparks · Mar 20, 2015

Grommets are only used really for 1st fix to prevent to cable from scraping on the box, once fitted there's little point in them being there. If you are carefully feeding the cables in to the back boxes and not pulling them down some capping or something then I wouldn't bother with them every time.

Leesparkykent · Mar 20, 2015

uksparks said:
Grommets are only used really for 1st fix to prevent to cable from scraping on the box, once fitted there's little point in them being there. If you are carefully feeding the cables in to the back boxes and not pulling them down some capping or something then I wouldn't bother with them every time.

Here you go mate you can borrow mine! Lol

Octopus · Mar 20, 2015

uksparks said:
Grommets are only used really for 1st fix to prevent to cable from scraping on the box, once fitted there's little point in them being there. If you are carefully feeding the cables in to the back boxes and not pulling them down some capping or something then I wouldn't bother with them every time.

Can I be present when you discuss with your NICEIC assessor?

SPARTYKUS · Mar 20, 2015

First assessment I ever had went something like

" if I ever catch you not using grommets, I'll suspend your registration"

Welchyboy1 · Mar 20, 2015

Is this really worthy of posting, a few missing grommets

Is work quiet, why would you even get involved with this?

its really surprised me that a builder knows what a grommet is as ive never come accross one yet that has used them

ipf · Mar 20, 2015

Dillb said:
I cant believe there is thread about grommets lol

Maybe it should be about 'no grommets'. Came across this today. The earth sleeving had melted and was solid on the wire...which just dropped off. Shows just how important they are.

[ElectriciansForums.net] What would you do - dodgy builder

Look carefully and you can see some red pvc near the end of the earth wire.

One bleedin' good reason to totally dismiss the comments in #7

NDG Elecs · Mar 20, 2015

Only ever had one nuisance trip due to cable being worn through and catching the edge of a back box.. So maybe we don't need them!!!

Wallace wouldn't be happy.

ipf · Mar 20, 2015

TheGayOwl said:
Only ever had one nuisance trip due to cable being worn through and catching the edge of a back box.. So maybe we don't need them!!!

Wallace wouldn't be happy.

Wally's couldn't care less....

Geordie Spark · Mar 20, 2015

Dillb said:
I cant believe there is thread about grommets lol

Would you prefer wiring sheds, garages, PIR floodlights, tripping RCDS / MCBs / RCBOs, shower isolators, showers glowing green like flying saucers >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMD7ZzRxWmk >> torque screwdrivers etc etc ......

Personally, I find a thread about grommets to be a refreshing change.

Sparkie30 · Mar 20, 2015

Sometimes I read comments from pub members and think really? Then again it's Friday and you are allowed to talk nonsense.

Dcf · Mar 20, 2015

A high percentage of neutral earth faults I find are caused by cables in sockets etc being squashed against the box entry with no grommets in sight.
to say you don't need them is a bit wrong as they have been about in their current form since at least the 70s.
i prefer grommet strip as its a better fit and doesn't fall out unlike the ****e grommets you get these days.
stay away from niglon strip though .it is terrible

cotty · Mar 21, 2015

uksparks said:
Grommets are only used really for 1st fix to prevent to cable from scraping on the box, once fitted there's little point in them being there. If you are carefully feeding the cables in to the back boxes and not pulling them down some capping or something then I wouldn't bother with them every time.

NDG Elecs · Mar 21, 2015

Dcf said:
A high percentage of neutral earth faults I find are caused by cables in sockets etc being squashed against the box entry with no grommets in sight.
to say you don't need them is a bit wrong as they have been about in their current form since at least the 70s.
i prefer grommet strip as its a better fit and doesn't fall out unlike the ****e grommets you get these days.
stay away from niglon strip though .it is terrible

Have you tried the tapered super grommets. I find they are easiest to fit and don't easily dislodge when you are fannying on getting cables through. Much better then the standard ones.

NDG Elecs · Mar 21, 2015

Geordie Spark said:
Personally, I find a thread about grommets to be a refreshing change.

Aye Geordie, it was nylon machine screws a few days ago and pin plugs a few months ago. Reckon grommets deserve a post too!!

What's next I wander; staples, best shotgun clips, catenary wires....

Geordie Spark · Mar 21, 2015

Engineer54 · Mar 21, 2015

ipf said:
Maybe it should be about 'no grommets'. Came across this today. The earth sleeving had melted and was solid on the wire...which just dropped off. Shows just how important they are.
View attachment 28485 View attachment 28486 View attachment 28487 View attachment 28488

Look carefully and you can see some red pvc near the end of the earth wire.

One bleedin' good reason to totally dismiss the comments in #7

And there was me thinking that the cable sheath should pass through the knockout with or without a grommet being present into the back box. I'd say that the damage to these conductors is a direct a result of bad stripping/termination and arrangement of the cables within the back box, Especially with all 3 cables passing through a single 20mm knockout... Obviously a grommet would have helped, ...well maybe!! lol!!

ipf · Mar 21, 2015

Engineer54 said:
And there was me thinking that the cable sheath should pass through the knockout with or without a grommet being present into the back box. I'd say that the damage to these conductors is a direct a result of bad stripping/termination and arrangement of the cables within the back box, Especially with all 3 cables passing through a single 20mm knockout... Obviously a grommet would have helped, ...well maybe!! lol!!

Aye, maybe:smile5: and every top and bottom knockout removed. It wasn't a dead short....nothing blown, hence the heat effect....and with all the blackening, it's obviously been getting pretty warm. The only reason for removing the socket was to find the supply to an outside lighting controller...so two 4mm's for the ring and a 1.0mm for the lights, straight to the control. Lucky they let me look for it... would have been paying for an unknown internal wall heater.....'till it blew :icon12: ...among other problems.

londonlec · Mar 21, 2015

My NIC assessor saw I had written C3 on an PIR (in those days) for lack of grommets at accessories and told me it should have no code, unless there was damage to the cores. As the bonding plaster would hold the cable in and stop it from chafing.

Plonker 3 · Mar 21, 2015

londonlec said:
My NIC assessor saw I had written C3 on an PIR (in those days) for lack of grommets at accessories and told me it should have no code, unless there was damage to the cores. As the bonding plaster would hold the cable in and stop it from chafing.

I hope you corrected him of his misunderstanding

highspark

Octopus

-

-

Plonker 3

-

Attachments

Octopus

SPARTYKUS

-

-

-

-

Geordie Spark

-

Dcf

cotty

-

-

Geordie Spark

Engineer54

-

londonlec

Plonker 3

Similar Threads

OFFICIAL SPONSORS