UK Advice required on behalf of elderley mother

[Archangel]

My elderley dad recently passed away leaving my elderley mother to update the house theyve shared for decades in the Birmingham area. She thought she was doing the right thing by speaking to a long retired electrician if he knew of anyone who could install a few new plugs she needed for a new fireplace, and to look at the wiring in general which was very old and needed updating badly. The retired electrician said he knew a few guys who he thought were ok and they visited my mother.
The guys have ended up fitting a new CU fuse box to the electrical meter, changed various bits of wiring to various rooms by fitting double sockets to the surface of internal walls, leaving electrical wiring trailing down the walls unsheaved (bottom floor), but with plastic conduit over in upstairs rooms. Its been done very untidily and messily, and with no regard to looking nice or hidden as you would in a house.
To rub salt into the wounds theyre not forthcoming with a receipt for 732.00 work or a certificate (I presume Part P?) which guarantees their work? They said they will arrange the certificate if mom pays them a further 100.00 so they can arrange someone to do this?
I dont know much about electrical work, but all i can get our mom to find out now is that they may not be registered electricians but friends of friends who have done cash in hand work. DO WE HAVE ANY RIGHT TO DEMAND A FREE PART P CERTIFICATE ETC?

 

[Midwest]

I doubt building control will show any interest. As said it’s not the greatest, but not lashed in, so doubt trading standard would be either. Think wisely; LBC could offer to have your new CU tested, a Regularisation Certificate, my LBC charges £400 + vat for that process.

The BS wiring regs, gives guidance that electrical certification should be provided on completion of works. Ask for that first. As said pics of your CU, might be a gauge. £100 extra for testing & compliance certificate, seems a bit naughty, but might be a way out of this dilemma, dependant on the ‘tester’ neutrality.

Pics first.

 

[FatAlan]

Do you know the names of the guys/company that carried out the work? Sounds very dodgy when they say they can arrange a certificate for extra £100 which suggests no testing has been done at all. Would they be susceptible to a few negative reviews? Go back to the retired spark that recommended them?

 

[Pete999]

Do you know the names of the guys/company that carried out the work? Sounds very dodgy when they say they can arrange a certificate for extra £100 which suggests no testing has been done at all. Would they be susceptible to a few negative reviews? Go back to the retired spark that recommended them?

He could be one of them Alan!! Or at least involved with them.

 

[Archangel]

He could be one of them Alan!! Or at least involved with them.

No. Hes retired MEB from years ago. Used to work with my dad. Hes no more longer up to date than the cowboys probably are.

 

[Pete999]

No. Hes retired MEB from years ago. Used to work with my dad. Hes no more longer up to date than the cowboys probably are.

OK just a thought that was all

 

[Zerax]

Archangel... any progress on those CU pics ? Stop teasing us...

 

[FatAlan]

If he was a mate of your dad’s , you’d like to think he’d have some honour in resolving the situation.

 

[Archangel]

Archangel... any progress on those CU pics ? Stop teasing us...

Here they are...

 

[telectrix]

would like to see pic. of inside that CU if you can safely remove the cover with main switch off

 

[CenterSparks]

The fact that both the 'general' socket circuits and both lighting circuits are on the same side of the RCD is a definite red flag for me. Following on, both the 'general' socket circuits have what appear to be 32A ring finals, where as the kitchen sockets - which will arguably have the biggest load - have what looks like a 16A radial. Very strange installation design.

EDIT - My mistake, I misread 'Shower' for 'Sockets' on circuit two. Even so, the fact an electric shower is on a 32A circuit breaker might be even more concerning. Would definitely get it checked out by an independent electrician.

 

[Dan]

I don't think this is wise @telectrix

The OP has said in their first post they don't know much about electrics. And then to ask them to pull something apart to look (I know it might be 1 screw - but still).

I think we've exhausted what we can actually help with. The rest is just curiosity? - Not sure.

 

[telectrix]

OK, Dan. maybe jumped the gun there. we don't know exactly the OP's competence level and safety awareness. OP does however have a mate of his dad, who is a retired spark. perhaps he'swilling to advise in an on site capacity. btw, while you're on, can you get my like etc. button back. it's missing. i can't leave reactions. .

 

[Dustydazzler]

At this point I would just get a new different electrician in to do a full EICR on the property....

 

[Zerax]

At this point I would just get a new different electrician in to do a full EICR on the property....

I agree... put the £100 they are asking for the certificate towards a full EICR.

 

[Deleted member 105166]

I'd investigate the rating of the shower and the cable size feeding it as a matter of urgency. I'd wager the 32A CPD won't be the only part of this circuit that's under specced. The lack of RCD discrimination on the lighting circuits is just lazy and inexcusable.