Ripped off by cowboy

[Str82ais]

Hello all,

I just bought a flat and had an electrician install a new fuseboard, 2019 compliant, do some surface trunking to install new sockets, and prep the kitchen for renovation. Well, he turned out a “bad guy.” I could tell halfway in because he started saying that’ll cost extra to everything. His apprentice drilled six holes through the other side of the walls he was drilling through. Just to afix the surface trunking. I had chosen to do surface trunking to avoid chasing and to avoid redecorating costs. Needless to say, I am now redecorating!

By the end, it was evident he was rushing the job. Kept saying I wasn’t paying him enough and that’s what you get.

He said I would get a certificate. In the end, he rushed off in a huff and did not hand me anything. I paid him £1120. He said he was owed £250 more.

I got a new electrician today and he said he would charge £750 to “correct” the other guy’s mistakes and issue both flat and kitchen certs of compliance with regs.

What is going on? How should I have handled this better!

I am planning to live in the property, do I need to get certs at all?

Am I being ripped off? (YES!)

 

[The Ghost]

No ganging up, promise! So from the few pics you supplied, agree with others on here the install standard is apprentice/DIY level. Did you or the contractor do the plastering (bonding) around the sockets? Anyway it is really hard to advise on what to do exactly as questions will arise as to what sort of supply you have and what is supplying what at your fuseboard. But if you can help us to help you we should be able to advise on a likely course of action and perhaps a ballpark figure for the work. I am genuinely sympathetic to your bad luck in getting two in a row non completers.
So I think the supply to the boiler would have a FCU next to it for isolation. And agree the cable to the boiler ideally would be replaced from the consumer unit. I note you have two Switch fused connectors adjacent to a socket and unless they are separately supplied from the consumer unit I would have to do something about that. The cable draping up the wall on the new bonding coat needs to be buried and oval conduit in the wall with it. So pictures of the supply end showing the "fuse box" and all the supply gubbins could be good to show whether you have RCD protecting the circuits in the kitchen. What about lighting? The last time I charged over a grand for a kitchen is when it was done in galvanised steel conduit throughout. I just say the above to provide another point of view which confirms the consensus. We do get people on here and they talk of a fictional electrician while in truth they are doing the work themselves seeking professional advice on how to complete their botched work. So unfortunately you might have to deal with some skepticism and or "checking" on your credentials.

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

You sound like a nightmare customer.

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

Draw a line under what has happened so far. You have an empty kitchen so a blank canvas for an electrician to rewire from scratch.

It sounds as if you know exactly what is going where in the kitchen so draw up some plans of where you'd like sockets, switches and so on. Find two or three electricians to quote. If you can, find them through recommendation from friends or family. Show them what you would like and where. Listen to their advice and recommendations and take them on board, making changes to your plans as necessary.

Decide which electrician feels right to you and ask them to do the work.

Pay what they ask for. Good work will always have a price.


On a different note, is that a new concrete floor or just some self levelling compound on top of an existing floor? If it's the former, there appear to be copper pipes that are in direct contact with the concrete below the window next to the boiler. Copper and concrete are not happy bedfellows.

 

[Str82ais]

Many thanks, Vortigern.

I attach a picture of the fuseboard. Only the blue cable is fed directly into the kitchen.

I understand the scepticism ... First, I was asked to name and shame. Then subsequently the post was withheld. Then people started implying Nigel has done nothing wrong, asking for proof. After I document, people start accusing me of being the problem. Come on ...

I am very grateful and have been giving likes to the posts that are genuinely helpful. Many thanks.

I managed to book three electricians to quote for Monday. Fingers crossed it works out.

 

[Str82ais]

Many thanks for the advice, Jim.

On a different note, is that a new concrete floor or just some self levelling compound on top of an existing floor? If it's the former, there appear to be copper pipes that are in direct contact with the concrete below the window next to the boiler. Copper and concrete are not happy bedfellows.

Self-levelling compound. On top of concrete.

You are right: the gas copper pipes were found to leak (they’re in concrete). These are no longer being used. The water pipes will remain a ticking time bomb (there’s been a couple of floodings in the block) but that’s a block-wide problem and above my pay-grade.

 

[Barry123]

whats under the tapped mcb, smoke alarm?

 

[Midwest]

No we can't basically. You need to source a suitable competent electrician. The use of web sites such as Check a Trade etc etc, do not vouch for competency. Not the Schemes can validate competency, but at least they verify qualifications, insurance, test equipment etc.

Competent Persons Register | Home - https://www.competentperson.co.uk/

Word of mouth, is another good route in choosing a trades person.

The entire flat has been EICR’ed and it’s fine.

I attach a picture of the fuseboard. Only the blue cable is fed directly into the kitchen.

I am very grateful and have been giving likes to the posts that are genuinely helpful. Many thanks.

I managed to book three electricians to quote for Monday. Fingers crossed it works out.

Have you used the link I posted to find your new electricians, or used recommendations?

Before doing any electrical work, I would have your EICR looked at again. Some of those cables (blue & 4 x orange), that appear to be going into your 'fuseboard', do not look to be typical standard cables used in a domestic property.

 

[Midwest]

I asked: can you advise on specific, clear instructions to conclude the job ASAP? You replied by saying you can’t advise. I am saying that it’s important because when things don’t end well, people blame the client for not having instructed properly.

We've advised its not to an acceptable standard, and to seek advise from a competent electrician. To say anymore, would be giving guidance on how to install electrical equipment. Not suggesting you would, but members are not allowed to give a diy step by step guide.

 

[cliffed]

It’s a mess.

 

[Str82ais]

whats under the tapped mcb, smoke alarm?

If I recall correctly that’s for the blue oven cable.

 

[westward10]

Looks like you have an old modular wiring system there, Octoflex or something similar. That is not a blue cable as such it is a blue tube containing separate conductors.

 

[Str82ais]

We've advised its not to an acceptable standard, and to seek advise from a competent electrician. To say anymore, would be giving guidance on how to install electrical equipment. Not suggesting you would, but members are not allowed to give a diy step by step guide.

No need for excessive cynicism. This thread has been on for 3 days now and I am CLEARLY not attempting a DIY job. Please tell me you don’t think I am going through this big deception to get you guys listing out the steps.

I am not sure the NICEIC and other regulating/advisory bodies recommend that somebody with an electrical problem should just call an electrician in and sit back. That’s what some electricians may like but that’s wrong ethically and morally. In case something goes wrong, both parties need to be clear what they want and what will be delivered.

When I ask for clarity of instruction, I am not asking for a 123 list of steps. I am asking for the tasks that you believe need addressing to increase my safety. I specifically said I am trying not to pay again all over so am looking for the most important bits that need addressing. Telling me to lie back, daddy’s home, and pay what I get told, smacks of tradesmen closing ranks and agreeing to fleece a customer.

Many other respondents have been very helpful and I am thanking them and am very grateful for everyone’s engagement. But I also have to speak out when I find someone trying to be helpful to me and also trying to get me to shut my eyes.

Like I said when I first replied to you, Midwest: when there’s problems, the first things tradesmen say is: “well what did you instruct him to do, what was the quote for?” So, let’s agree that this is a legitimate question and that I am not trying to short-circuit anyone or pull a fast one. I am the victim here.

 

[Sintra]

And that’s your side of the story.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Why? is the over cable blue? is this some sort of arctic flex cable

 

[telectrix]

Why? is the over cable blue? is this some sort of arctic flex cable

maybe it's cold and/or miserable.???