Advice on new house

[SmokieJo]

Looking for advice - I'm not an electrician (obvious from content of post!)

Moving into a 1979 built house in 2 weeks in South Aberdeenshire. No known electrical issues but of course survey has the usual "not examined but likely not to meet current standards". Bedrooms seem to only have 2 sockets each (1 single, 1 double). House was extended 2 years ago so assuming electricals in that part will be fine. Which leaves the living room and 3 upstairs bedrooms.. Plug sockets look standard, not round etc and are in normal places where they exist.

Thinking about getting proper inspection done - good idea? Needed? Cost? What's the likelihood of big problems in a place of this age. Would the electrician who did the extension have looked at all at the main house?

Any advice gratefully received

Kirsty

 

[telectrix]

an EICR would be a good idea. this will find any safety issues, and , a bit like an advise on a MOT, anything not up to current regs., but still safe for continued use.

 

[SmokieJo]

Sorry - should also say the surveyor's report states "mains supply, older style meter and three fuse boxes comprising of 2 wired and 1 micro circuit breaker. Visible wiring is run in PVC coated cabling with 13 amp power outlets"

 

[SmokieJo]

Any idea if likely to be a nightmare - keep hearing horror stories of complete rewiring jobs being needed on houses. We are planning to find a local electrician to put in more sockets and also a centre light point in one of the bedrooms which mysteriously doesn't seem to have one!

 

[Marvo]

If you can upload some photos of the CU, the meter and the incoming supply cable to you Flikr/photobucket account you might get some better advice on where the problem areas might be.

 

[Phoenix]

And well done for looking into this. Hopefully someone from here may be close to you and able to help.

 

[SmokieJo]

Hello.

As we don't move in for a couple of week - I don't have access for more/better photos.

This is the only one I have at present

Not sure if any help - will update in a couple of week.

Any idea how much a reasonable amount is to add extra sockets in 3 rooms, a shaver point in the bathroom and a centre light point in the bedroom?

Thanks

Kirsty

 

[Phoenix]

A photo from the 'front' of the board may help a little more...:wink_smile:

 

[SmokieJo]

I know - it was all I have at present. And hey - you can totally see a red cable coming from it

 

[micknew]

The Christmas tree needs watering!

 

[Richard Burns]

Looks like you would need some RCD protection putting in if you want to have additional sockets. And probably for the cabling to the light and shaver socket.
Easiest way to find a price would be to call a local electrician to give you a cost, since the variations in the local conditions make it difficult to answer.

 

[SmokieJo]

Sorry if being thick but would it not have had to have additional RCD protection when the new kitchen was put in last year (sockets in there look brand new and multiple built in electrics)

 

[telectrix]

should have had RCD then. but that might only have been fitted to the new works.

 

[Outspoken]

In amongst the paperwork there should be a completion/test cert for the new install when it was completed, and if done by a contractor they may have stuck an inspection notice on the board when they did so. If this information does not exist then it is possible the electrical work was done as a DIY Job, or mate of a mate type of thing. Likely to be safe but it might mean it should be inspected to be safe, alter all you're the one going to be living there and so is the family...

 

[stuartcourt]

I would say it would cost at most £200 for EICR (electrical report) and could save you £1000s if there is major problems and be a small price to pay for piece of mind if all ok. Remember if or when you sell and someone gets report done you will be footing the bill. Hope all is ok and you are happy in new home. ps get someone close to you from the forum you will not regret it as we have each other breathing over our shoulders.