4 Way C/U change...price? type?

[Dave 85]

Had a guy just ring up saying his old fuse board is melting. Its only 4 way, small house I guess, he's actually already sold the house so not particularly keen on shelling out ££££££'s on an upgrade but I said its the only option.
I'm inclined to go with an RCBO board, just wondered what kinda price I should charge him. I usually use a split load 10 way and charge £350
but seems pointless on 4 circs. The thing is, I reckon a decent 5/6 way RCBO board with 4 breakers (I prefer the wylex metal clads, they are taller) will set me back more than a 10 way split load. Cant get a price today obviously, its sunday. Any ideas what I should charge? I've said approx £280 but think maybe a bit more....

 

[Paul.M]

Dont understand , what rules arent being met by having just one lighting circuit in a property ?

A:- Segregation of circuits.

Keeping the upstairs and downstairs lights and socket circuits on their own mcb to avoid nuisance obstacles whilst trying to get to the cu to flip a switch.

 

[Dave 85]

If theres only one lighting circuit then thats the way its staying. I assume this will be the case if there is only 4 fuses. I'm not for trying to force people into major remedial work for something that is not an electrical safety issue. I'll just put a recommendation on the cert.

 

[Octopus]

Sector do a 5 way metal one (nice and tall) for RCBO's and that with 4 RCBO's would set you back about £150 inc VAT. Not cheap but nice and easy to work with

 

[jdd]

I know what you're saying mate, but unless you test the place first how do you know what you're going to be energising? If I was a customer who had been told one price I'd be annoyed if you tried to change the price once on site, if you discover other non compliances. (Obviously you would repair)

As for one rcd? Not really an option.

 

[Guest55]

A:- Segregation of circuits.

Keeping the upstairs and downstairs lights and socket circuits on their own mcb to avoid nuisance obstacles whilst trying to get to the cu to flip a switch.

But you're not installing new circuits , you're just replacing the fusebox , so you can only reconnect the circuits as you find them -
Theres no obligation to part rewire or alter anything ?

 

[Plonker 3]

But you're not installing new circuits , you're just replacing the fusebox , so you can only reconnect the circuits as you find them -
Theres no obligation to part rewire or alter anything ?

Surely if there was, then DNO's would be obliged to install emergency lights incase of a power failure as the first thing folk always check is, are all the fuses/MCBs OK?

 

[Guest55]

As for one rcd? Not really an option.

Eh ? why not ?
A 4 circuit house protected by a single rcd main switch CU is no different to an 8 circuit house protected by a dual rcd CU.
No difference what so ever as there still remains a degree of inconvienience when a rcd trips.

 

[Paul.M]

To answer a couple of questions that have arisen on this thread without naming names:-

Please read reg 314.1(i) and also best practice guide 6. Then make the comment that a single rcd is fine for a four way board on a cu change when your changing circuits of the dwelling.



Ok I'll make a presumption on this one.

A. At least two circuits are doubled up at the board.

B. Inadequate bonding.

C. Under sized tails.

D. Under sized cable for at least two circuits.

E. Over rated fuse for at least one circuit, eg 2.5 radial on a 30A.

F. No chance of separating the circuits so it complies with the above regs without costing the customer more money that has been quoted over the phone without looking at the job.



Of course you can change the cu like for like with a 4 way rcbo board, its not as if your liable as a professional tradesmen and its your name on the cert?

Dave please post up before and after pictures and answer the points that have been made.

 

[Guest55]

To answer a couple of questions that have arisen on this thread without naming names:-

Please read reg 314.1(i) and also best practice guide 6. Then make the comment that a single rcd is fine for a four way board on a cu change when your changing circuits of the dwelling.



Ok I'll make a presumption on this one.

A. At least two circuits are doubled up at the board.

B. Inadequate bonding.

C. Under sized tails.

D. Under sized cable for at least two circuits.

E. Over rated fuse for at least one circuit, eg 2.5 radial on a 30A.

F. No chance of separating the circuits so it complies with the above regs without costing the customer more money that has been quoted over the phone without looking at the job.


Of course you can change the cu like for like with a 4 way rcbo board, its not as if your liable as a professional tradesmen and its your name on the cert?

Dave please post up before and after pictures and answer the points that have been made.

Although these points ( A - F ) need to be taken into consideration when changing a CU , they dont actually prevent you from using a single rcd CU if there actually is only 4 circuits in the property.
And your assumptions as to potential defects are only guesses and cant really be taken into consideration in this debate.
I'm not saying thats its an ideal set-up , but Dave has indicated that the customer is on a budget and probably wont pay for a full rcbo set-up , hence my suggestion of using a single rcd board in such a small installation.
As for your ( sarcastic ? ) comment about being a professional tradesman , well if your work leaves the installation in a safer state than when you found it , i'd say you've complied with that obligation within the limits of your customers budget.

 

[Paul.M]

Me, sarcastic, never, and it wasn't directed at you biff. If anyone sees this thread next month or next year, let's say a diyer or a landlord (like this one) they will think its ok to buy a 4 way board from a shed and change it like for like with one up front rcd which as I've said is not acceptable. If it was a garage and not a house that would be fine in my book.

If the house does only have four circuits then as you said a rcbo board is the best option but price holds back the customer, there's not that much price difference if you shop around.

 

[Guest55]

If the house does only have four circuits then as you said a rcbo board is the best option but price holds back the customer, there's not that much price difference if you shop around.

Depends on the brand of gear you use i suppose , some rcbo's can cost at least £30 each where as i can get a plastic 6 way single rcd board for not much more than £25 , so a big materials saving can be made even on a small installation.

 

[Paul.M]

:iagree:

Let's see what the OP does once he's seen the job.

 

[Guest55]

:iagree:

Let's see what the OP does once he's seen the job.

Bump up the price massively lol.

 

[Paul.M]

He could always use 2 x 2 way garage boards, their only twenty quid each. Might look a bit daft next to each other in the cupboard under the stairs .

 

[Guest55]

Thats actually not a bad idea lol , especially if the meter cupboard is tiny