Installing electrics in new build

[Idil Kachore]

Hi

I'm building a new house and I like to do all electric work myself to save money.

Instead of paying an electrician £6k+, I thought I'll instead invest in training myself to become competent (enough) to install electrics myself in my new build.

My objective is not to gain employment, I'm happy with my current job in computing.

I know there's a number of discussions about these courses:
City & Guilds 4141-01 - Electrical Installation Work within a Domestic Dwelling
City & Guilds 2393 – Part P Building Regulations
City & guilds 2392-10 – Inspection & Testing Course

Would these courses enable me to do electrics for my new build?
Can someone suggest/recommend alternative courses?

Thanks
Idil

 

[Andy78]

The best way to calculate the cost is to get a firm idea of what you want and get some quotes in from decent electricians.

Glad you've seen the light. I admire enthusiasm and money saving (Being a Yorkshireman myself) but the "learn it yourself" route would have definitely cost you more in time and money and quality of job in this instance.

 

[Octopus]

The cost will depend on your spec .......

 

[buzzlightyear]

Does anyone know how I can roughly calculate the cost of all electrics?

by a ball of string . see how far it goes and their you answer.

 

[ruston]

If you are rural and need a supply by the DNO , that could be a major factor for cost.

 

[buzzlightyear]

If you are rural and need a supply by the DNO , that could be a major factor for cost.

now their are big bad wolf . for the little pig building a house of bricks.

 

[Wilko]

Hi Idil - you could put your efforts into working out a complete spec for your job perhaps? That way you will get what you want and any quotes should be easy to compare.
With a 3 storey new build I'd also recommend you get talking to your local Council building control about fire alarms. My thought is - best to get them to specify what will be required.
Also think about any outbuildings or garage that might need power ... better to dig trenches before the garden or paving

 

[ruston]

now their are big bad wolf . for the little pig building a house of bricks.

It does not have to be very far away to get very naughty .

 

[MJPD29]

In all honesty if your not going to commit to it and train properly this is an awful idea that's why there are electricians out there to do these jobs for you, properly.

 

[rolyberkin]

I built a house and decided I was going to do the roof myself (see my other recent thread!) Rather than taking a roofer five days, it took me about six weeks of doing a few bits here and there, now I enjoyed doing it, but after I had worked out additional costs on scaffolding hire it would have been cheaper and a far better job to get a roofer in (which I had to do anyway to repair an issue I had due to not finishing a gully properly) The moral to my story is get someone in who knows what they are doing!

 

[shaun1]

If you have a background in computing and experience of terminating cat5/6 etc, you could plan and run in all the data cabling yourself to save some money. Sky/TV cabling and any other media you require is perhaps something you could also learn yourself to save some money if you have a technical mindset.

 

[marconi]

You might have problems with your home insurers. I would not buy a home an amateur had wired. I am a chartered electrical engineer - even so, we are having major works done now in our home and have employed two electricians to do the wiring - horses for courses. As a professional I know the limits of what I know and am competent to do. The completion of courses and the award of certificates alone do not make someone competent and possess good judgement; these take time and experience.

If you do what you suggested will you be taking out professional indemnity insurance as a professional electrician does?

 

[The Ghost]

Generally speaking a basic and cheaper design/build of a three storey is about £4k to £5k. If you want a "smart" home install with all the whistles and bells you are looking at up to £7k assuming you have five bedrooms, garage and outhouse/workshop. Depends very much on what type of fittings you want installed as well. From circa £3 to £10 per socket. Lights can be as cheap as £2 + lamps up to anything you want to pay. I once installed wall lights that cost £3000 pounds each that was many years ago! As stated the only way to get the cost is get some quotations in. I think whatever the price you are given there will always be unforseen problems and the price will creep up. Maybe 15% in some cases. It sounds like you have decided to project manage yourself, personally I would not do that I would use and architect to manage it all. Make sure the contractor is registered with a scheme with a good reputation, and recommended. Be sure to get a contract. If you are doing a new build you would normally use an architect to manage all of the separate trades. That is the only way you can get any redress if things go wrong as they are proffessionally indemnified, builders just go bankrupt if it all goes wrong and you cannot get a penny from them.

 

[driverman]

Let the experts do it......You could earn that whilst doing IT

 

[Phillip]

You should invest the money in a decent spark .... Those courses won't make you competent, nor give the ability to comply with part p

Not wanting to debate, but most of the 5 day part p boy's are wiring up everywhere.

 

[Andy78]

Not wanting to debate, but most of the 5 day part p boy's are wiring up everywhere.

Just because someone is doing a job and being allowed to do a job, does not mean they are competent to be doing so. Just look at UK politicians.