Sign off A.N.Other builders work

[1Justin]

I've been asked to do a couple of jobs at a potential customer. Will be taking a look tomorrow.

One job is signing off others work for an extension. (Her builder has bu.. off). I know about the imminent changes to allow this (for work done to part P in the first place). Have been watching the NICEIC/ELECSA circulars saying this is imminent, but no detail and no forms of inspection available yet.

Without seeing it yet, no idea whether the Builder was Part P, got it spot on, or was totally incompetent.

I am considering treating it as a full Periodic, ie quoting her for Periodic Inspection via Condition Report Inspection Schedule & EICR first, and if that works out OK, I could (for minimal additional charge), provide her EIC for Building Control, with the latter signed ONLY under "For Inspection and Testing", with "Comments" section explaining why the installation is unsigned and referencing the previous CRIS/EICR.

If obvious work was necessary after CRIS/EICR, then that would be quoted separately before she got her (half-signed) EIC.

Kind of belt and braces, but since it's been left that way, I don't see an obvious alternative which keeps me covered.

Is this a sensible way forward?

 

[Kate]

I wouldn't either mate. I know plenty do though, so things will never change.

Times are tough!

 

[1Justin]

Well somehow or other she's going to end up living in it, so someone doing the testing is an inevitabality.

I might take one look and run, but maybe not. EICR and phone call to BCO seems the most sensible. Provided BCO will give over Completion cert on a EICR (need to check) then job done. I'm not signing off any installation, and EICR has plenty of opportunity for "Extent and limitations"

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Well somehow or other she's going to end up living in it, so someone doing the testing is an inevitabality.

I might take one look and run, but maybe not. EICR and phone call to BCO seems the most sensible. Provided BCO will give over Completion cert on a EICR (need to check) then job done. I'm not signing off any installation, and EICR has plenty of opportunity for "Extent and limitations"

the bottom line here Justin...is your not obliged to do anything...just caus `they have got to live in it/with it`..is neither here nor there....too many thinking that they can just cut corners all over the place...
if you dont like what you see/hear of them.....then your not obliged to do owt.....

 

[Guitarist]

The biggest problem is that while "someone" is willing to do it, then it becomes the norm. If everybody said NO, then the system would have to change.

 

[daca]

Was asked 3 weeks ago to do a EIC for a guy who's builder installed his new bathroom and electrics. Told him I could do EICR but not EIC. His reply was BCO needed the EIC to sign off work.... Love to know what happened!

 

[FAA Greenie]

Good evening gents,

Just to clear up a bit of confusion surrounding these proposed changes, there was a link to the changes on here a few weeks ago which a lot of us read.

You should NOT be asked to provide an EIC for any work that you have not carried out, the changes DO NOT allow for that.

You WILL be able to prepare, through prior arrangement with BC, an EICR within, I think 3 weeks, after completion of the work. This is, apparently, what BC will be happy with - bless their ill-informed hearts.

Hope this helps clear it up a little,

Chris

 

[1Justin]

Hi Chris, that's useful to know in advance.

 

[Earthstore]

There are two ways of looking at this though, what if customer is a lovely genuine person and the builder disappeares for whatever reason (dispute/dies/taken seriously I'll etc) are some of you saying the customer should have the extention pulled down and started again because it is not possible to check his work to get certs required?
Or should there be something in place that a proffesional from a trade body should be able to check any works to make sure it complies to any regs, for a fee of course, and issue the appropriate paperwork?

 

[Octopus]

There are two ways of looking at this though, what if customer is a lovely genuine person and the builder disappeares for whatever reason (dispute/dies/taken seriously I'll etc) are some of you saying the customer should have the extention pulled down and started again because it is not possible to check his work to get certs required?
Or should there be something in place that a proffesional from a trade body should be able to check any works to make sure it complies to any regs, for a fee of course, and issue the appropriate paperwork?

There was something in place - LABC will normally accept an EICR!

The problem is now the changes have "legitimised" the dodgy builder and the cowboy sparky who will sign off an EIC without even getting out his MFT!

 

[Spoon]

Good evening gents

What about the females in the forum? I become Loretta at the weekends so im not sure what category I would fall into...
Yes its off topic but its Friday and ive just been paid.... Im happy.

 

[Kate]

Any females in the industry learn from day one they accept being part of the gents/lads etc or it won't work out. I find it a lot more awkward when people add 'oh and lady' at the end!!

 

[dave274]

earthstore a genuine customer will have notified building control who will have informed him/her that the electrics need inspecting at first fix so the council will no its safe. its the people that go for the cheapest quote that are the problem, they're happy as larry when the think they can save a few quid on employing an electrician so they can buy a new tv but when the builder buggers off and they realise they have no eic they want you to bend the rules for them. so yes pull it down.

 

[Guitarist]

There are two ways of looking at this though, what if customer is a lovely genuine person and the builder disappeares for whatever reason (dispute/dies/taken seriously I'll etc) are some of you saying the customer should have the extention pulled down and started again because it is not possible to check his work to get certs required?
Or should there be something in place that a proffesional from a trade body should be able to check any works to make sure it complies to any regs, for a fee of course, and issue the appropriate paperwork?

That's just a cop-out to be honest. Yes, there are nice customers who will have been taken for a ride by the builder, but let's face it, most of the "sign it off after with an EICR" brigade are builders who want to do it all on the cheap, then get someone registered to sort it all out afterwards.
It is the duty of the person ordering the work to ensure that whoever is carrying out the electrical work is either part P registered, or they should be notifying LBC in advance and doing it by the book.
I'm sick and tired of all this mamby pamby "turn a blind eye" rubbish which just makes our trade a laughing stock.
If the customer allows the builder to do the work to save money, then they are their own worst enemy, and I have no sympathy. If, on the other hand, the electrician has done a runner without issuing certs, there should be a thorough investigation involving checking of prescribed zones/junction boxes etc., which will allow for a "special" EICR also involving LBC to sort the situation out in exceptional circumstances. If this involves removing parts of walls or ceilings then so be it.
While you guys, along with LBC just say "oh well, let's just have a quick test of what Bob the builder has done", the trade will just keep going downhill!

 

[FAA Greenie]

What about the females in the forum? I become Loretta at the weekends so im not sure what category I would fall into...
Yes its off topic but its Friday and ive just been paid.... Im happy.

Many apologies Lorretta, I'll consider myself re-briefed.....

 

[telectrix]

briefs mon-friday. knickers at weekend.