Can of worms!

[trypod]

Got a call today Light circuit random tripping mcb & ELCB & kitchen ring random tripping mcb & ELCB.

Earthing: TT

Consumer unit Wylex 6 Way MCB’s

Crabtree voltage operated ELCB.

When I got there the owner/builder informed me that he had built a lounge and kitchen extension and had extended the lounge ring, kitchen ring and the lighting circuits.

In the kitchen he has put in 19 12v down lights off 4 transformers which he is concerned about the heat generated as some of them are near the joists and he has put in outside lights.


In the garage there are metal clad sockets connected with plastic oval conduit just laying in the knockouts!


The bathroom has a pendent fitting & I was told that the decorator had put a screw through a cable which he fixed!

There has been no testing or certificates for the circuits.

He has asked me to sort out the tripping and put a new consumer unit in.

Would you take the job on?

 

[Jonny66]

if you are going to upgrade the consumer unit then there could be a multitude of problems and doing a Proper EICR is the only way to identify these problems , if you then explain these to the customer in a way in which they understand then these can be provided in a quote for the works ,then remidails can be included in the contract , if you carry out a visual check quote for the wokr change the board and end up with shared neutrals or insulation problems things that cannot be identified with a visual inspection then you may well pay the customer for your work because it will end up costing you

OK, try and read the sentence in post No 5 again.
"doing a Proper EICR is the only way to identify these problems" sorry thats absolute rubbish

 

[wildgoose]

Before the new CCU is fitted, you must find out what the condition of the installation is - especially any problems!! I personally would only take it on if either:-

1, Customer pays for my (EICR) survey to understand installation condition, then I'll quote for fixing problems followed by CCU change and sign off.

or

2, A 'pay-as-you-go' rate to sort concerns 1st and then fit new CCU with sign off. My PAYG rate would not come cheap to cover the builders incompetences because when you do the sign off, you take on liabilities! As as been said in earlier posts, the builder is probably not telling you of all of his screw-up's, so they'll be extra jobs to bring his work and materials back into compliance!

 

[wacko]

In this climate, every chance of work is worth a quote at least. Day rate etc for remedials, new CU and everybody's happy. Especially the DNO when you get rid of the ELCB.

 

[Strima]

EICR, it may be a can of worms but it could also be a good earner.