Advice wanted - unhappy with rewire

[Sarah123]

Hi all

Hoping I could get some independent advice on here. We've just bought our first property and had to get a full house rewire on the property (3 bed semi). Our electricians had finished the work within 2 days (2 electricians working on it). When asked when they were coming back, they said they didn't need to come back for a second fix as they'd finished it all. As we didn't know any better, we assumed all was fine and paid up because that said they wouldn't give paperwork till payment was made.

Since then, we have had a few issues. Our plasterer has been really surprised at the poor standard of work - they have had to plaster around all sockets and spotlights in kitchen.

1. The holes made to put in the sockets are generally quite a bit larger than the face of the external socket casing.
2. One of the sockets had a loose wire that was not connected when the plasterer was plastering around.
3. Another socket melted the builder's plug (smoke coming out as well), but didn't activate the trip switch.
4. An armoured cable they put in to light the garage is coming out of the consumer unit and through the floorboards in the bedroom in front of (rather than behind) the skirting board.
5. No paperwork 3 weeks after despite chasing him for this before everything else happened.

Would really appreciate any feedback as not sure if these are common or we really are within our rights to be taking this further? We tried contacting the electrician a couple of days ago, but he's not able to come till Monday evening, but his general response is telling me that he's blaming the plasterer's work.

Thanks!

 

[dinger809]

I wouldn't agree there. To be honest inspection would be far, far more likely to pick that up than testing. If there was fortuitous contact between the conductors during testing there is no likelihood of finding that through test readings. It's possible to pick up poor contact resistance but it really depends how the two conductors are seated. If the contact is good between them (though not securely screwed together) I don't think passing 200mA through them will tell you much.

Tug test, works every time

 

[DefyG]

Was the property occupied (ie were you living there) whilst the work was being done? As sometimes to maintain heating/power/lighting etc.within the property some second fix is inevitable.
The armoured cable being glanded into the bottom would be exposed for about 200mm before it could be routed behind skirting in any case, but maybe the sparks thought a unit might be built in front of the consumer unit!
The loose wire, most likely a poor connection (as others have said) which pulled out when pulled forward by the plasterer.
The overheated socket, most likely a loose connection in the plug top!

 

[DPG]

Oooh, he said plug-top. Just you wait, George will be along shortly.

 

[Midwest]

Tug test, works every time

That is just being gullible to think all think it will be perfect. Bit like being sure the fridge light is off, when you shut the door.

 

[dinger809]

I wouldn't agree there. To be honest inspection would be far, far more likely to pick that up than testing. If there was fortuitous contact between the conductors during testing there is no likelihood of finding that through test readings. It's possible to pick up poor contact resistance but it really depends how the two conductors are seated. If the contact is good between them (though not securely screwed together) I don't think passing 200mA through them will tell you much.

Tug test, works every time

That is just being gullible to think all think it will be perfect. Bit like being sure the fridge light is off, when you shut the door.

The tug test will make sure it doesn’t come out, is what I was saying

 

[Midwest]

The tug test will make sure it doesn’t come out, is what I was saying

What changes things, is after the tug test you push the accessory into the back box, putting pressure on previously tightened terminals. Nothing is certain IMO.

 

[johnduffell]

Yeah tug test won't find every problematic termination, but it finds enough to be worth the 10 seconds it takes to do it, especially with multiple conductors into one terminal. It's no substitute for good workmanship, inspection and testing just complementary.

 

[telectrix]

That is just being gullible to think all think it will be perfect. Bit like being sure the fridge light is off, when you shut the door.

i'll tell you the answer as soon as i work out how to open the fridge door from inside. brrrrrr. it's cold in here.

 

[rapparee]

Also, the cables should have had capping over them before the plasterer does his bit, to stop the plaster rotting the cables. This is a job for the electrician and is part of the first fix

The cables should be routed through 20mm round conduit.

Am I right @Risteard ?

 

[telectrix]

doing that over here would price us out of 90% of domestic jobs.

 

[Risteard]

The cables should be routed through 20mm round conduit.

Am I right @Risteard ?

It's certainly considered good practice here (or indeed standard practice). Across the border it's actually mandatory to protect cables against plaster e.g. with conduit (although as we all know the chemical composition of plaster nowadays isn't actually likely to cause any issue).

 

[Nigel]

Questions I would like answered?

1. How much was the quote?

2. What checks did you make prior to engaging with this particular contractor?

 

[spark 68]

Why Essex ? what has that got to do with the thread ?
People have been charged top whack and still had a sh** job done.

 

[telectrix]

Why Essex ? what has that got to do with the thread ?
People have been charged top whack and still had a sh** job done.

essex post is relevant. if the quote was super low, no wonder thety done in 2 days. if high, then poss rip off.

 

[spark 68]

I disagree Tel,
It could have been done at short notice, plus I don't agree with slagging another spark off without giving a right of reply, unless it was a total abortion from the beginning, you should know me by now, price does not come into at this moment in time