EICR Inspection Issue

[pc1966]

I trained as a electrician in the 70s but have long since retired. Just had an EICR test done on my property in advance of selling.

I would add that you don't have to have an acceptable EICR (no C1/C2) to sell, but the buyer is likely to haggle for a price reduction if not. Whether you give them a couple of £k off, or not, or chose to upgrade first, is down to you.

My own suspicion is if they expect a modern house in terms of number/placement of sockets, type of lights, kitchen layout, etc, then they would want to rewire anyway, so the lack of CPC issue would go away when they do.

But those are decisions for you and the prospective buyer to consider.

 

[80Bobber]

I would add that you don't have to have an acceptable EICR (no C1/C2) to sell, but the buyer is likely to haggle for a price reduction if not. Whether you give them a couple of £k off, or not, or chose to upgrade first, is down to you.

My own suspicion is if they expect a modern house in terms of number/placement of sockets, type of lights, kitchen layout, etc, then they would want to rewire anyway, so the lack of CPC issue would go away when they do.

But those are decisions for you and the prospective buyer to consider.

Again many thanks for your help and advice

 

[80Bobber]

I would add that you don't have to have an acceptable EICR (no C1/C2) to sell, but the buyer is likely to haggle for a price reduction if not. Whether you give them a couple of £k off, or not, or chose to upgrade first, is down to you.

My own suspicion is if they expect a modern house in terms of number/placement of sockets, type of lights, kitchen layout, etc, then they would want to rewire anyway, so the lack of CPC issue would go away when they do.

But those are decisions for you and the prospective buyer to consider.

Just been thinking I have an unacceptable for no RCD in the consumer box and no earth on the lighting circuits, are they both valid C3s. Being quoted £3,300 to fix both.

 

[westward10]

The lack of earth is a Code 2 without a doubt, the lack of additional RCD protection can at worst be a Code 2.

 

[pc1966]

Just been thinking I have an unacceptable for no RCD in the consumer box and no earth on the lighting circuits, are they both valid C3s. Being quoted £3,300 to fix both.

No RCD for sockets likely to be used outdoors would normally be C2, otherwise C3. No CPC and no RCD on lights would be C2.

I can't really comment on the price as (a) I don't do domestic work and (b) prices up here in Scotland are significantly less than around London. I suspect for London if that is a CU change and rewiring of the light circuits it is probably reasonable, but again it would need a forum member who works around London to comment.

You don't need to get the same company/person who inspects to do the correction, but if you think they are good then no special reason to change. Usually the advice would be to get a 2nd quote, but again cheap is not always best.

 

[davesparks]

Just been thinking I have an unacceptable for no RCD in the consumer box and no earth on the lighting circuits, are they both valid C3s. Being quoted £3,300 to fix both.

No earth in the lighting is not a C3 it is a C2.

 

[80Bobber]

My last sentence seems to read wrongly but the meaning should be CPC needed with class I, lack of CPC is only acceptable for class II (double insulated).

There can be alternatives to rewiring such as running in a separate CPC from a nearby circuit, but that is often as difficult as the rewiring aspect. Also assuming there is no metal conduit in use?

Does the CPC only need to go to the light fitting i.e not to the switch?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

How about the exposed conductive parts of the metal screws holding the light switches in place. I'd probably research for the 10th time to see if this would be a C2, but I think it would be.

 

[timhoward]

There can be alternatives to rewiring such as running in a separate CPC from a nearby circuit, but that is often as difficult as the rewiring aspect. Also assuming there is no metal conduit in use?

Completely agree, but note that as this is a bungalow (and assuming loft access) it is probably in fact easier to run new lighting circuits. Throw in wireless switching and there's then a fully compliant lighting circuit with no/minimal redecoration costs.

But the point still applies that if the wiring is of that age there is probably a real shortage of sockets. It's likely that the prospective purchasers are going to need it to be rewired anyway.
So while you could get the lighting rewired and the CU changed and end up with a 'satisfactory' installation, it may be more sensible to negotiate a moderate price reduction and let the purchaser take on the task of a complete rewire.

 

[Diddy]

The issues have been identified really. Even if you just upgrade the bits that have been deemed c2's any buyer is going to haggle IF they get an electrician to look it over as part of their own survey. The age of the installation would be on my list of something I would look to haggle about. The only real way forward here is factor it in to the price of the house or get a rewire done and add a bit on to the price to reflect the fact that you have recently upgraded the electrical system in the house....something like that would/should/could add a few pounds onto the value....maybe it's because i'm an electrician that I think that way though, nor idea about the "average" buyer.

 

[80Bobber]

The issues have been identified really. Even if you just upgrade the bits that have been deemed c2's any buyer is going to haggle IF they get an electrician to look it over as part of their own survey. The age of the installation would be on my list of something I would look to haggle about. The only real way forward here is factor it in to the price of the house or get a rewire done and add a bit on to the price to reflect the fact that you have recently upgraded the electrical system in the house....something like that would/should/could add a few pounds onto the value....maybe it's because i'm an electrician that I think that way though, nor idea about the "average" buyer.

TBH the real issue is not the rewrite aspect it’s the fact that every room in the house will now need redecorating because of having to cut in new wiring or look terrible with surface wiring! Appreciate your time