Advise please on a new re-wire

[pjmale45]

Hi all, I would appreciate some proffessional advise on a recent re-wire my friend has had. Im not 100% up on regs for domestic property and also sure about workmanship practices but I know this is a bad job. I want to go back to the contractor but Im gathering some 'truths' first before I start. This was a 3 bed house in Birmingham area and cost £4500. Ive added some pics to give you an idea but Im mostly concerned about 1. clipped wiring not covered in protection, 2. the wiring is not channeled its level with plaster so how do you cover it?, 3. isnt the wiring into the consumer unit supposed to be enclosed or glanded to keep the fire aspect safe?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

[radiohead]

The confusion of it all doesn't help. 1 person says one thing but others aren't so sure to agree. I thought the regs weren't meant to clear up issues not create them? Lol

If you want to complain you would have a valid reason with the IP rating of the top entries on the DB, this could be easily rectified, but in my view is not a cause for real concern. I would ask as well for those cables to be secured above the DB, or better still enclosed. Other than that I think you will struggle as poor chasing is not a breach of regulations. I ask again though, are those vertical drop cables in line with a point? If not that would be a more seriouus deviation.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Once this job was all plastered in and painted the only obvious defect would be the proper IP rating on the consumer unit isn’t met...
this could easily be rectified with a bit of mdf boxing...

 

[radiohead]

Once this job was all plastered in and painted the only obvious defect would be the proper IP rating on the consumer unit isn’t met...
this could easily be rectified with a bit of mdf boxing...

We cant see from the pictures whether the vertical drops are compliant. Low level accessories are not visible

 

[David Prosser]

As far as I can see the only regulation breach is the clear non IP4X cables entry on the top of the consumer unit. The rest of the work is subjective especially as we can't see the full installation but looks like some of the cables could be run outside of the correct zones At best it appears a bit shoddy.

 

[Dave OCD]

I'd like to see inside the CU, that tells you quite a lot
I get the impression it's been done as fast as possible without any pride in the workmanship. That's the trouble I think, a job can be 'compliant' but still look RAF....

 

[MJPD29]

It is not how I would have did it but certainly not the worst i have seen and I cant really see anything that would break regulations to be honest. Seems to be the standard of work on rewires etc when prices are low.

 

[Cid]

A bit of intumescent sealant will fix the IP issue. But rest of the installation looks fine. Some people expect everything to be returned to it's original condition after a rewire. Get a decorator in man.

 

[davesparks]

A bit of intumescent sealant will fix the IP issue. But rest of the installation looks fine. Some people expect everything to be returned to it's original condition after a rewire. Get a decorator in man.

Any sealant will fix the issue, there is nothing in the regulations which requires intumescent sealant.

 

[Pete999]

i was always told you can’t issue an installation certificate with defects

perhaps the installer didn't know or realise he had left a defective install, that's why I mentioned looking at the EIC.

 

[telectrix]

whilst a bit rough, if those cables are below the level of the plaster finish, you can plaster directly onto them when filling the chases.

 

[pjmale45]

whisst a bit rough, if those cables are below the level of the plaster finish, you can plaster directly onto them when filling the chases.

Thats the whole point, they ARE NOT below the level they are flush, they CAN NOT be covered unless the whole wall is plastered to make it thicker but theres coving installed.
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I have to say Im gobsmacked at the comments who see little wrong with this install. The level of workmanship is poor especially for £4500. Ive not been involved in domestic stuff for over twenty years and even back then we wouldnt have been allowed to do this by our employer.

 

[telectrix]

if the plaster is that thin, which is unusual, that the cables are proud, then the chase should have been deeper, cutting into the brick by a few mm.. this would have required a chase cutter with the problem of dust. without seeing it in person, difficult to make a definitive assessment. from the pics., though, those chases should have been done with a chaser coupled to a vac. the coving should not have been damaged; room for cables behind. as said before, with those vertical chases, are there sockets directly below? if not, it's a major non-compliance. google "safe cable zones" to pull up a diagram

 

[pjmale45]

if the plaster is that thin, which is unusual, that the cables are proud, then the chase should have been deeper, cutting into the brick by a few mm.. this would have required a chase cutter with the problem of dust. without seeing it in person, difficult to make a definitive assessment. from the pics., though, those chases should have been done with a chaser coupled to a vac. the coving should not have been damaged; room for cables behind. as said before, with those vertical chases, are there sockets directly below? if not, it's a major non-compliance. google "safe cable zones" to pull up a diagram

The plaster would cover just the cable but with the clips or the capping which is used in some areas for some reason it makes them flush with the surface of the plaster. As I say its more around the cost and what was expected for that cost. The customer has now got to get either major plaster works done and coving work or get cables channeled in further. Ive got the safe zones in the building regs and on site guide I hadnt even considered that and didnt get that far. Once I saw the install I was in complete shock if Im honest.

 

[dmxtothemax]

DITTO !
Not exactly "best practice"
But not dangerous either
You will have little come back
unless you had clearly dictated levels of workmanship

 

[Dustydazzler]

OP

yes it looks a bit rough , but believe me this is what a pretty standard domestic rewire will look like up and down the country

once the house is replastered and painted nobody will see the cables

i personally would over cap every cable with some plastic capping as this is how I always do it , but not everybody does
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As for the cables being proud of the wall , this will become an issue and the need setting back in by 5-6mm to allow a decent amount of plaster be spread over them

i would get the electrician back to ensure all the cables are set back far enough