Well there's another issue all these local authorities have different terms. Out of interest can you expand on the above of the self certifying electrician not under part P I take it you mean not with one of the schemes. what is their 3rd party costs regarding ?
This is a constant bone of contention on many forums but fairly easy to explain, although someone will no doubt pop up and tell me I am talking carp
Yes there may be someone who has sent them their qualifications and allowed them to sign off with an EIC but this is the exception rather than the rule. Just look at building control as a business who are legally responsible for the work they are signing off and try to run at a profit not a loss. Different councils have different budgets, different staffing etc etc. If electrical work is signed off by a scheme they have zero responsibility and zero costs, if they accept your qualifications and it goes wrong they are ultimately responsible, for this reason
most councils will cover themselves by getting a third party sign off which costs them money. Some councils employ someone with a test and inspection background, a council near me has such a member of staff so they can undertake supervision of electrical work. The interesting question is if someone sent in an EIC to building control along with their qualifications and this was accepted, legally surely they would be responsible for that installation (would need Pli to cover the installation etc)
Councils charge on the basis of work they anticipate they will undertake during the build, most councils will state in their terms and conditions that all building inspection is priced on the assumption that any electrical work will be subject of design, installation and test certificate by an electrician who is a member of a competent person scheme. They will then go on to say that if it is not, they will make a supplementary charge which will reflect the costs incurred by them in instructing a third party competent person to undertake the necessary site visits and inspections which are required. This is to cover inspection of design, site visits to check work during inspection at first fix, inspection and text at completion. All councils set their own building control charges, as a customer you don't like them you are free to use any other independent third party inspectors. The golden rule for me when dealing with building control is to speak directly to understand what they require. Alternatively go on their website, there are very few which do not publicly outline their fee structure and requirements.
