Advice wanted - unhappy with rewire

Sarah123 · Feb 23, 2019

Hi all

Hoping I could get some independent advice on here. We've just bought our first property and had to get a full house rewire on the property (3 bed semi). Our electricians had finished the work within 2 days (2 electricians working on it). When asked when they were coming back, they said they didn't need to come back for a second fix as they'd finished it all. As we didn't know any better, we assumed all was fine and paid up because that said they wouldn't give paperwork till payment was made.

Since then, we have had a few issues. Our plasterer has been really surprised at the poor standard of work - they have had to plaster around all sockets and spotlights in kitchen.

1. The holes made to put in the sockets are generally quite a bit larger than the face of the external socket casing.
2. One of the sockets had a loose wire that was not connected when the plasterer was plastering around.
3. Another socket melted the builder's plug (smoke coming out as well), but didn't activate the trip switch.
4. An armoured cable they put in to light the garage is coming out of the consumer unit and through the floorboards in the bedroom in front of (rather than behind) the skirting board.
5. No paperwork 3 weeks after despite chasing him for this before everything else happened.

Would really appreciate any feedback as not sure if these are common or we really are within our rights to be taking this further? We tried contacting the electrician a couple of days ago, but he's not able to come till Monday evening, but his general response is telling me that he's blaming the plasterer's work.

Thanks!

rapparee · Mar 22, 2019

ipf said:
Been installing plenty MK Aspect top of the range, flat plate on one job. No problems....but still much prefer the Schneider 'Ultimate' (GET) range.....a bit cheaper, better to work with and better looking, for me. Class stuff.

Hate that stuff with a passion.

It looks cr@p too if the plasterer isn't perfect.

TheReturnOfHightower · Mar 22, 2019

I've measured circuits running computers loads of times, never gets close to the 3.5mA that is suggested per device. We've even got one room (not my work, soon to be moved) with 30 computers on the same rcbo, and I can't ever recall being asked to reset the device. (And yes, the rcbo is functional)

I tend to get MK sockets as a) they offer outboard rockers and b) they have two earth terminals. Only other brand I can remember offering two earth terminals (apart from LAP CRAP) is Crabtree. Used to install Schneider when in the housing game and sure they were only single earth terminals.

ruston · Mar 22, 2019

Hager and Click do too.
Hager is my first choice , but I like click too.

TheReturnOfHightower · Mar 22, 2019

ruston said:
Hager and Click do too.
Hager is my first choice , but I like click too.

Love Hager boards, never come across their accessories. Click feels a little flimsy for me to be honest.

ipf · Mar 22, 2019

rapparee said:
Hate that stuff with a passion.

It looks cr@p too if the plasterer isn't perfect.

Maybe....but this ain't your 'run of your mill' rewire..
.. on some jobs the plastering HAS to be perfect......and what is specified is installed.

ruston · Mar 22, 2019

TheReturnOfHightower said:
Love Hager boards, never come across their accessories. Click feels a little flimsy for me to be honest.

Yes , the boards are great . Their light switches have a neutral terminal which is handy if you like it neat.
Click sockets are good , so is the cooker switch /socket, but I tend to agree with on their light switches.
Their cooker duel outlets are superb.

ipf · Mar 22, 2019

TheReturnOfHightower said:
I tend to get MK sockets as a) they offer outboard rockers and b) they have two earth terminals. Only other brand I can remember offering two earth terminals (apart from LAP CRAP) is Crabtree. Used to install Schneider when in the housing game and sure they were only single earth terminals.

Schneider/GET Ultimate...…

[ElectriciansForums.net] Advice wanted - unhappy with rewire

123 · Mar 22, 2019

Midwest said:
What, and how much better; name your enemy of choice, we are all friends here . Quite like the Click Scholmore range, but still think the MK stuff (talking basic white plastic) looks………………………………………………………...nice!

Appearance wise most look similar, even the no brands look near enough the same. Quality wise MK is lacking, it's well over priced pruck.

I use Click.

Toneyz · Mar 22, 2019

Midwest said:
IMO MK stuff is quite well put together; some of their terminal screws aren't so good and leaning mcb’s. But the rests ok, and they look good.

There's a lot else there thats much worse.

If I was MK I would forget doing consumer units.

Stuey · Apr 8, 2019

AJshep said:
There is no need to seperate earth terminals on a Domestic install. You are right Stuey in what you say but lets not take things to the extreme.
This sounds like regurgitated carp from some college lecturer.
Switching PSUs are a slight problem we are all aware DC equipment has a higher earth leakage but how many does the average house have ?
Do you know how this installation is used by looking at a picture ? This install could be a elderly couple house, not a hackers house with multiple USB sockets and PSUs plugged in.
Led lighting is not usually applicable to either as this on the lighting circuit.

Lets not jump in and insult someones work, leave all this rubbish to the Facebook groups

I Did neither. Don't Jump to conclusions,
It appears that most domestic Electricians don't or won't take this into account .
As I stated in my first ( Other post ) .I have recently returned from Australia after working in Industrial , Commercial and marine. Ring circuits are not even allowed in Australia ( NOT final circuits anyway ) .After reading and catching up with the regs ( 18th) , I came across this regulation and others that state shall and recommended .It appears that these regulations are Ignored. To be called dumb is a ridiculous statement as it's a very valid point . To take a back step the easy answer would have been we don't bother to look at that possibility.
Earth leakage is a growing problem as is the related nuisance tripping of RCDs.
I Did not rubbish anyone's work , I even stated sorry if you took it the wrong way .The trouble with the written word , people can and do misunderstand the point !