New Build Installation Advice

[rolyberkin]

I am considering taking on a new build which is being built by a mate of mine. I have spoken to my training provider who will do site visits and inspect and test with me towards my NVQ 2357. I will have the help of another trainee to lighten the load and will also by the time this kicks off will be registered with a competent persons scheme. I currently hold insurance (and employers liability for anyone who helps me) and calibrated test equipment for the little jobs I have been doing thus far.

The house will be wood framed with steel webbed beam floors so cable runs will be fairly easy. The electrics would be fairly standard with ring final circuits and lighting, heating is a ground source heat pump with room stat controls, these are normally installed and commissioned by the company providing (I would just lend a hand running cables for stats etc.

I have rewired houses I have owned and developed over the years but have not really taken that much notice of how much time things take as have done them as I have gone along as part of other building work and as your own build you tend to end up working all the hours god sends etc etc.

My question is on a largish four bedroom house what would be a reasonable estimation of working days for first fix, second fix etc test and inspect etc.

My estimation is as follows, am I wildly out? I have said if I did it I would do on a day rate only with him paying for and supplying all materials that I specify, as I do not know accurately how long it will take, the only added pain is that the build is an hours drive from me, he knows I am a trainee etc etc.

Design and test/inspect/certification (2 days)
First fix 2 x days (Two persons)
Second fix 4 x days (Two persons)

Thanks for any advice.

 

[davesparks]

You are incredibly lucky if you get a new build on day rate!


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[rolyberkin]

You are incredibly lucky if you get a new build on day rate!


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I bet my mates rate day rate is nowhere near what anyone else would charge, probably more of a doing him a favour and getting some of my 2357 modules signed off at the same time!

 

[Marvo]

Probably won't help you very much but from my very limited experience with installations the socket and lighting supply circuits are fairly predictable, the lighting second/final fix is what can be the killer depending on the complexity of the layout and the actual fittings and drivers etc.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Do you have a breakdown of points and circuits?

 

[rolyberkin]

Do you have a breakdown of points and circuits?

Not as yet, he has just got planning approval so is intending to send me the plans this week, I think he will mark where he wants sockets and lights and I will probably sit down with the regs and make sure everything is to current requirements and do the calcs etc. I have concerns that will be able to do it all working long weekends (Fri-Sun) or whether I will hold things up. I anticipate long days but realistically cannot afford many days away from the day job, as it is so far away evenings are probably not economical for me.

 

[Richard Burns]

Do remember that in a new build it will generally not be a straightforward install as there will be delays and hold ups from other trades and construction limitations and these will slow down the work.
unless you have a top notch project manager and very flexible trades just working on this one job then add a bit of time for "we can't allow you to run that circuit until x is complete".

 

[Paul.M]

What area is your new build in? Maybe one of the Mentors from here can pop round and look at it with you, give you a few hints and tips face to face.

 

[rolyberkin]

What area is your new build in? Maybe one of the Mentors from here can pop round and look at it with you, give you a few hints and tips face to face.

The new build will be in Cambs, more Caldecote way than central.

 

[Paul.M]

Hope someone can pop around and give you a a few pointers.

Keep friendly with all the other trades on site. Amazing how the plumber or plasterer can mess up your work (one of our electrical laborers with an attitude problem p1ssed off the plasters a couple of years ago, took 3 days to repair the damage to our cables!!!!)

Site plans for any services can change, take a copy of each or (more practical) take a photo on your phone so you dont put your cables where the gas pipe suppose to go.

Heights of switches is written in the book, what abut the distance from the door frame??? 150mm is a rule of thumb to allow enough room for the door architrave. Seen sparks getting caught out with this in the past.

 

[rolyberkin]

Hope someone can pop around and give you a a few pointers.

Keep friendly with all the other trades on site. Amazing how the plumber or plasterer can mess up your work (one of our electrical laborers with an attitude problem p1ssed off the plasters a couple of years ago, took 3 days to repair the damage to our cables!!!!)

Site plans for any services can change, take a copy of each or (more practical) take a photo on your phone so you dont put your cables where the gas pipe suppose to go.

Heights of switches is written in the book, what abut the distance from the door frame??? 150mm is a rule of thumb to allow enough room for the door architrave. Seen sparks getting caught out with this in the past.

Already had the discussions with him about heights of consumer unit, switches and the like!