Advice about testing another's work

[Gazthesparky]

Need a bit of advice /opinions

I completed a full rewire a couple of months ago prior to starting the customer said kitchen company was sorting kitchen ring and my contract/quotation stated I was not responsible for this while first fixing kitchen company fitted kitchen and left kitchen ring unconnected as I hadn't fitted new consumer unit. At the time I stated to them they needed to come back and commission

I second fixed left the ring unconnected and put on my EIC that the kitchen ring was installed by another and not responsible

I've now had a call from customer saying kitchen company aren't going to come back and commission and could I they will pay me extra for doing so.

So should I go back and fill out a ECR and connect the circuit ? Or point blank refuse to connect it ? As its not my work and I know the cables have been thrown about under the floor and not clipped

Where do I stand I don't want to be responsible for there work as I didn't install it

 

[uksparks]

Your options are either you connect it and take responsibility for it which would be a bad idea, or you walk away from it and insist the kitchen company connect it.

putting your name to someone else's work is a really bad idea unless you can see every cable throughout its length and it checks out ok.

 

[uksparks]

Sorry, just to add, if you connect it and then issue an EICR, who is taking responsibility? The customer will point a finger at you as YOU connected it and issued incorrect paperwork for connecting it when it should have been an EIC.

 

[PEG]

...Although to be strictly accurate,you would not "just connect it and issue an EICR"...you would perform,an EICR,and on the findings of that,issue a report,and accompany that with any recommendations...

The only reason i mention these points,is that from time to time,i get asked to inspect or test work,completed by certified,schemed and liveried up individuals/companies...find,say,a kinked and stretched T&E,giving the usual intermittent problems...and if the original installer is found,and pressed on the matter,he may say "that must have been the apprentice...i can't inspect every inch..." which is what is alluded to in the OP's post...

These situations are bread and butter everyday occurrences,and ensure that those not phased by the vagaries of others,will never struggle to put food on the table :43:

 

[uksparks]

I think the key to this whole question is that the circuit had not yet been energised, if it had then just do an EICR, but by the fact it's not been energised or connected, the only way forward would be to fully test it and issue an EIC as any other paperwork would be incorrect as you are connecting a new circuit, bit testing or have been asked to sign off a pre connected circuit.

 

[uksparks]

Just to add, in not suggesting connecting it or giving an EIC as its not your work.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Need a bit of advice /opinions

I completed a full rewire a couple of months ago prior to starting the customer said kitchen company was sorting kitchen ring and my contract/quotation stated I was not responsible for this while first fixing kitchen company fitted kitchen and left kitchen ring unconnected as I hadn't fitted new consumer unit. At the time I stated to them they needed to come back and commission

I second fixed left the ring unconnected and put on my EIC that the kitchen ring was installed by another and not responsible

I've now had a call from customer saying kitchen company aren't going to come back and commission and could I they will pay me extra for doing so.

So should I go back and fill out a ECR and connect the circuit ? Or point blank refuse to connect it ? As its not my work and I know the cables have been thrown about under the floor and not clipped

Where do I stand I don't want to be responsible for there work as I didn't install it

There's your answer. The client must explain to the kitchen fitters that their work comes under part P and at present there is no system in place for third party certification. If the circuit is to be energised they are legally responsible for it's testing,inspection and certification.
I've yet to see electrical work carried out by kitchen fitters that's not a lash up. Don't even think about putting your name to it.

 

[R G]

Am I correct in reading that the op second fixed the circuit in question ?

If thats not the case and had nothing to do with that circuit then its none of your problem , leave for them to finish off their work..

 

[Gazthesparky]

Hi all

Thanks for your input

No I haven't touched their circuit I have even stated on my EIC that my certificate does not cover it.

The kitchen company got funny because there wasn't a consumer unit installed when they were fitting the kitchen and they second fixed it but left the two cables by the new place where the consumer unit was going to go.

My customer has now contacted me to say the can not get the kitchen company to come back and would I connect it up. They are happy to pay extra for this because they know I have stated all along that I have nothing to do with it. I tried to persuade them at the time I was quoting to let me. Do the kitchen but they were adamant that they had already paid the deposit for the kitchen and electrics were included in that.

 

[Richard Burns]

A possible option would be to complete an EIC with only the inspection and testing section signed and pass this to the customer for the kitchen installers to complete design and construction sections.
I would include a note on the EIC that the circuit is completely constructed prior to inspection and testing as certain aspects of inspection will not be possible.
I only offer this as a possibility because it was not possible for the kitchen fitters to fully test the circuit at the time of installation as the Cu was not in place.

 

[DuaneMHunt1976]

I can only see the 3party doing the testing in the kitchen EICR or buildings or Scream at the kitchen fitters to do the job

 

[Andy78]

Hi all

Thanks for your input

No I haven't touched their circuit I have even stated on my EIC that my certificate does not cover it.

The kitchen company got funny because there wasn't a consumer unit installed when they were fitting the kitchen and they second fixed it but left the two cables by the new place where the consumer unit was going to go.

My customer has now contacted me to say the can not get the kitchen company to come back and would I connect it up. They are happy to pay extra for this because they know I have stated all along that I have nothing to do with it. I tried to persuade them at the time I was quoting to let me. Do the kitchen but they were adamant that they had already paid the deposit for the kitchen and electrics were included in that.

Then you should stick to your guns and maintain that you have nothing to do with it. Let the customer sort it out with the installer. Any decent company would just show up and complete the work. If not, then trading standards.

 

[ackbarthestar]

It seems like standard trade to trade banter although the customer appears to have initiated this ambiguity.

Its always expedient to establish the terms of contract before the kick-off (customer-kitchenfitters-electrician)

comes under part P and at present there is no system in place for third party certification.

I was under the impression that electricians can 3rd party expect, test and certify now.

 

[R G]

Then you should stick to your guns and maintain that you have nothing to do with it. Let the customer sort it out with the installer. Any decent company would just show up and complete the work. If not, then trading standards.

Thats how I see it too , must say it makes me suspicious when they don want to test , connect and certify...

 

[telectrix]

i think richard burns' post is the way forward. test it, complete a 3 sig. EIC with only the test/inspection signed, then it's up to the customer to insist that the kitchen co. sign for design and install.