House rewire

Phillcbr400 · May 7, 2011

Hi, I'm new to the site and needing some advice.
I've recently qualified doing my 2330 and 2356 nvq. Got my 17th aswell.
I work for the railway and deal with commercial and industrial systems on a daily basis.
I have been asked by a friend to rewire his mother in laws house. I've got a few questions really, will part p be needed? Do I need to be approved? I know a can't test and inspect the installation due to not having my 2391.
I've read on the net that it's possible for me to do a first fix get in inspected by a certified electrician from the council and again on the second.
Basically I'm a not too clued up with the purposes needed when undertaking domestic work so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

telectrix · May 7, 2011

firstly, it needs to be notified to your LABC. they charge up to around £300. you can test without 2391, but you must have the relevant test gear and be competent in testing. if you were to get an independent electrician to do the test/certification, he / she would have to be present to inspect the 1st fix, 2nd fix and test etc. i think the best road is to notify LABC, allow them to do the inspect/test/certification, factoring the cost into your price.

Sparky Ninja · May 7, 2011

Hello and welcome along.

Compliance with part P will be required.
You do not need to be approved.
You can test and inspect without 2391.
The LABC can be notified and will/may assess during and on completion of the work.

My advice is that you should ask yourself if you plan on going down the domestic installation route more regularly or not?

simpson93 · May 7, 2011

as above not much else really... you can download the part p document from the website have a read threw it.
good luck

Phillcbr400 · May 7, 2011

Firstly thanks for your help and time.
Regarding part p am I correct in saying it is needed for all domestic work even tho more in depth and comprehensive and relevant qualifications have been gained? I.e the 2330 2356 and 17th.
And please bare with me but what do the abbreviations LABC stand for?
So roughly £300 charge will be issued for notification of changes to the property and the test inspect and cert charge on top?

nickblake · May 7, 2011

Part P is the building regulations its not realy a qualification as lang as you notify lab befor you commence the work and when the work is completed you will be ok yes its around the £300.00 all in as far as im aware

james29022004 · May 7, 2011

Phillcbr400 said:
Firstly thanks for your help and time.
Regarding part p am I correct in saying it is needed for all domestic work even tho more in depth and comprehensive and relevant qualifications have been gained? I.e the 2330 2356 and 17th.
And please bare with me but what do the abbreviations LABC stand for?
So roughly £300 charge will be issued for notification of changes to the property and the test inspect and cert charge on top?

Local area buildong control
You have to install and test giving them a full set of test results for them to inspect and then they will sign off the job,they will also need to inspect at 1st and 2nd fix but they wont test your installation for you-you would be better off finding a local certified electrician to take you under his wing and learn from him using his tester etc

telectrix · May 7, 2011

as james says, you could get a local registered ( niceic/napit/elecsa ) electrician to do the job with you. obviously, hge's going to need a fair slice of the labour costs, but against that, you don't have to pay £300ish to buiolding control. a rewire on your own is quite a mammoth task pulling cables in, etc. even for an experienced spark. it's a damn site easier with 2 of you, esp. as from your orig. post, the house is likely to be occupied and so all will have to be put back each day at knock off time. also, a basic supply will have to be maintained. ifc you post your location, maybe a forum member is close to you. just a thought.

Phillcbr400 · May 7, 2011

As to me doing more domestic work is a grey area, besides odd jobs this will be the first full rewire I've done. Test equipment can be borrowed from work.
Will the installation need to be tested to 2391 standards?

I think I've got it set in my head of what is needed.
Notify LABC of the work, complete first fix, LABC to inspect, complete 2nd, Test and inspect with certs, LABC to Inspect.
If the installation does need testing to 2391 standards then this would be done before the last LABC inspection.

telectrix · May 7, 2011

seems like you've got it sussed. the test/inspection cert. is to be completed by you. dead tests/supply characteristics/ live tests etc. everything on an installation cert, to be completed and filled in. and be aware, virtually everything must be RCD protected to comply with BS7671. eirhter Dual RCD, or RCBOs.

J.C.E · May 7, 2011

telectrix said:
seems like you've got it sussed. the test/inspection cert. is to be completed by you. dead tests/supply characteristics/ live tests etc. everything on an installation cert, to be completed and filled in. and be aware, virtually everything must be RCD protected to comply with BS7671. eirhter Dual RCD, or RCBOs.

I would advise you to put each circuit on a rcbo instead of have dual rcds protecting mutiple circuits. I know it will cost more, but its worth it. If say the lights have a fault and trip the rcd, it will also take out the other circuits protected by that rcd, which is a pain in the backside. Just my opinion though. Good luck pal.