Advice needed regarding insurance work

[Ellen Rhodes]

Hi. We’ve recently suffered a house fire that has written off our kitchen and damaged most of our house and we’re in the process of having it repaired. The electrician has been and inspected and found that the wiring is not in line with current regulations. They have proposed that they install a second consumer unit next to our existing one and then run cabling around the outside of our house to feed the kitchen and downstairs bathroom. I really just want to know if this is the best way to do it or if it’s just the easiest/cheapest, because I don’t really like the idea of the wiring being around the outside of the house. The consumer unit is in the front room and would go in a straight line through the dining room and into the kitchen. They already have the ceiling in the kitchen down and I would assume they would just need to lift the floorboards upstairs.
I’ve literally no idea what’s best here so any advice would be greatly received.
Thanks for reading!

 

[Wilko]

Agree with above - this is not a good solution for you. It's not sympathetic to the house's construction nor is it a "like for like replacement". You want it restored as before and tell them in writing it's not acceptable. The compliance with Regulations is an issue for the Electrician to solve, not for you to compromise.

 

[Pete999]

Hi. We’ve recently suffered a house fire that has written off our kitchen and damaged most of our house and we’re in the process of having it repaired. The electrician has been and inspected and found that the wiring is not in line with current regulations. They have proposed that they install a second consumer unit next to our existing one and then run cabling around the outside of our house to feed the kitchen and downstairs bathroom. I really just want to know if this is the best way to do it or if it’s just the easiest/cheapest, because I don’t really like the idea of the wiring being around the outside of the house. The consumer unit is in the front room and would go in a straight line through the dining room and into the kitchen. They already have the ceiling in the kitchen down and I would assume they would just need to lift the floorboards upstairs.
I’ve literally no idea what’s best here so any advice would be greatly received.
Thanks for reading!

Run the cabling around the outside of the house? did this bloke park his Horse around the corner? was it the insurance company who recommended this Muppet?

 

[snowhead]

Cables outside would potentially reduce the value of the property, maybe not by much but if you sell, a potential buyer would want a reduction to cover correcting the outside wiring.

The Insurance should pay to restore the property back to where it was before the fire.
If the Regs, either wiring or Building, have changed then the Insurance repairs have to comply to new and they have to pay for that.

 

[Ellen Rhodes]

You have seriously all put my mind at ease, thank you. I’m going to ring around a few electricians this morning and get a couple of quotes.
They’ve been a band of muppets from the start, I’ve only found one person to be helpful and he’s the project manager. Poor bloke just wants to get the work done but the trades are just causing hold up after hold up!

 

[Pete999]

Hi. We’ve recently suffered a house fire that has written off our kitchen and damaged most of our house and we’re in the process of having it repaired. The electrician has been and inspected and found that the wiring is not in line with current regulations. They have proposed that they install a second consumer unit next to our existing one and then run cabling around the outside of our house to feed the kitchen and downstairs bathroom. I really just want to know if this is the best way to do it or if it’s just the easiest/cheapest, because I don’t really like the idea of the wiring being around the outside of the house. The consumer unit is in the front room and would go in a straight line through the dining room and into the kitchen. They already have the ceiling in the kitchen down and I would assume they would just need to lift the floorboards upstairs.
I’ve literally no idea what’s best here so any advice would be greatly received.
Thanks for reading!

If you have been tasked with employing am electrician by your insurance, then make sure you get someone reputable, preferably someone who is registered with one of the CP Schemes (NICEIC, NAPIT) there are many to chose from, the bloke who gave you the quote sounds like a Jack the Lad type, cables around the outside of the house my foot.

 

[Ellen Rhodes]

If you have been tasked with employing am electrician by your insurance, then make sure you get someone reputable, preferably someone who is registered with one of the CP Schemes (NICEIC, NAPIT) there are many to chose from, the bloke who gave you the quote sounds like a Jack the Lad type, cables around the outside of the house my foot.

We haven’t had a choice in who does the work up to now, it’s just who the insurance have sent but I will be asking to bring in my own trades after this, I’ve just had enough of being patronised and being given ridiculous solutions like this one!

 

[The Ghost]

For what it is worth the cable used for ring circuits (which I presume you would have) are not suitable for external environments (while they are used outside and no apparent degradation has occurred noted!) notably UV. As well the possibility of damage to the cables is an unacceptable risk. Assuming your house is an ordinary house it is usually as easy to install the cable safely inside as outside. If you get into a dispute with the insurers maybe you might like to post some pictures of the proposed routes and the main switch box so that you can get further ammunition for same.

 

[Devonchris]

I would seriously consider getting yourself a loss assessor to act on your behalf. You should be able to add the cost to your claim. Do a search in your area and ring a couple for advice and information first.

See below for difference between adjuster and assessor.

• Loss Adjusters are employed by the insurance company but they are supposed to remain independent.

• Loss Assessors work for you, the policyholder. They are independent professionals who are employed by you to protect your interests.

A Loss Adjuster’s job is to adjust the claim presented to them by the policyholder or their Loss Assessor. The Loss Adjuster is paid by the insurer to decide what will be paid for – and what will not.

An independent Loss Assessor, such as Morgan Clark, will take over the responsibility to compile and present your insurance claim. We will deal with the insurer’s Loss Adjuster on your behalf, and will protect your interests every step of the way so you receive the very best settlement under the terms of your insurance policy.

Good luck and don't compromise. You want like for like, not just for the electric, that's why you paid the insurance.

 

[dave274]

I don't know how big your house is but you could probably get the whole thing rewired for not much over three grand, not just the kitchen. They're trying to rip the insurance company off by charging £3000 for what is going to be a days work for two of them.

 

[Ellen Rhodes]

I don't know how big your house is but you could probably get the whole thing rewired for not much over three grand, not just the kitchen. They're trying to rip the insurance company off by charging £3000 for what is going to be a days work for two of them.

That was my worry. It’s not a big house, it’s an old terraced pit cottage, two up, two down with an extension for the the kitchen and bathroom.

 

[dave274]

A lot of companies put in inflated prices for insurance work because the insurance companies would rip everyone off at every opportunity. Just tell the insurers you're not happy with the proposed work and get someone else in. Id be happy to quote for the work when you've sorted it out with the insurers.

 

[Ellen Rhodes]

A lot of companies put in inflated prices for insurance work because the insurance companies would rip everyone off at every opportunity. Just tell the insurers you're not happy with the proposed work and get someone else in. Id be happy to quote for the work when you've sorted it out with the insurers.

I’ve told them I’m not happy, I’m just waiting to hear back from them.

 

[SJD]

I agree with Devonchris, you need a loss adjuster or similar working for you.

There are companies who specialise in making sure the damage is repaired to the original standard, and will deal with insurers on your behalf. Furthermore, you can get their fees added to the claim, it need not cost you anything to do this. Look up "Buildings Insurance Claims Specialists".

 

[Midwest]

We haven’t had a choice in who does the work up to now, it’s just who the insurance have sent but I will be asking to bring in my own trades after this, I’ve just had enough of being patronised and being given ridiculous solutions like this one!

My neighbour had some refurbishment done after a water leak (faulty pressure tank). It happened soon after the whole house had been renovated. He tried to reuse the previous trades, and had a long running argument/discussion on the subject with the insurance company. He gave up in the end, and used the company that the insurance company wanted to use. Fortunately, they weren't too bad.

 

[Ellen Rhodes]

You’re never going to believe the conversation I’ve just had.
Apparently, the reason they wanted to drill holes in my house and run unsightly cabling around the outside of it is because they didn’t want to move a couple of wardrobes upstairs and clear a path. This is seriously the kind of idiot I’m working with here. I’ve told them
I will clear a path tomorrow and they’ve agreed to be there Monday morning.
FFS!!!