Taking over a partially complete install

[Motty]

Hi all, your thoughts please ...

going to price a job in the morning ... just been briefed that it is to "finish off" the electrics in a stable / annexe conversion... being cynical this seems to me that either the builder has taken on most of the actual wiring (1st and 2nd Fix) himself OR the previous electrician has thrown in the towel or is unable to complete for whatever reason ...

New CCU
New Ring main to serve 3 or 4 2kw dimplex heaters
Reconnect existing / new circuits ....

its the last I have concerns with. I understand that I can change the CCU and install new ring main as per NAPIT notifiable works. I am also bracing myself to inform the builder that I will have to treat the connection of the rest as a Condition Report, whether it was put in last week or 10 years ago. I haven't installed it so I won't try to claim its my own work.

I've made some phone calls and my understanding is I fill out the Condition Report and then pass it to the local Building Control who, will either inspect and sign off under the existing planning permission remit of the overall project (for free) combined with my notifications for the new CCU and Ring main, OR building control have to treat it as a "new application" and charge £180.00 for the admin and their stamp of approval by signing it off. My EICR cost will be on top of that as well. So pricing will be for the the new CCU, the cost of the ring main AND the Condition Report both me and BC parts.

Being fairly recently self-employed and starting out independently I am a bit naive to the ins and outs of Condition Reports, or Periodics, I understand its nothing to do with NAPIT (or NICEIC/ELECSA) as there's no feature for notifying BC - I'm effectively "bypassing" NAPIT and instructing BC direct - but I would have thought as you're effectively verifying the installations' condition and putting your name to a legal document, that NAPIT or whatever part P scheme provider would endorse an EICR in the same principle as they would a new installation,minor works cert to an existing install etc

thanks for reading and any comments would be welcome ...

cheers

 

[Welchyboy1]

Ring main for the heaters is a bit naff imo

 

[D Skelton]

If the builder has done the electrics I would not be certifying it end of. I'd be certifying my work and my work alone.

If it was another electrician that threw in the towel I'd be asking the customer for their details so I could speak to them as a matter of urgency! Why have they thrown in the towel? Is the customer an anus?

If customer wanted to be vague with me for any reason as to why there are only partially installed electrics I would be walking away quick snap!

 

[ferg]

It can be hard turning down work at the best of times.

If it all looks like a dogs dinner don't be frightened of saying as much and advising ripping out and starting again. And or running away as fast as you possibly can.

If it looks spot on then get the previous sparks details just in case its payment problems.

The ring main for heaters does ring alarm bells for me though but that may just be my preference.

- - - Updated - - -

D.skelton beat me to it

 

[markc123]

If only i could come up with posts as sensible as that.

Bravo Mr.Skelton Bravo.

:icon4: :beatnik:

 

[Motty]

Gents, thanks for the replys and I appreciate that my cynicism is not alone

tbh i have'nt a great deal of work at the mo. being a new one-man-band business its a case of trial and error with customers, i certainly can't afford to pick and choose at the mo. so any job is worth pursuing but given mr skeltons sentiments, there has to be limits.

I was thinking a sub-main CU exclusive for the heaters with individual 16A radials for each heater might be a better option given 4 x 2kw = nearly 18 amps even before any correction factors for CCC. all to be put to the builder onsite tomorrow.

 

[telectrix]

put 2 heaters on each 16A radial. if ref. method C for your 2.5mm radials, then fuse at 20A.

 

[HandySparks]

...given 4 x 2kw = nearly 18 amps even before any correction factors for CCC.

'Bout twice that.

 

[Motty]

'Bout twice that.

sorry mate yes was thinking 4 x 1000w ... blonde moment!

 

[paul_h]

As above about the heaters on either own circuit or doubled up on a circuit

only thing I'd watch or find out is why the last sparky walked off the job (due to non payment)?? Or?? Wouldn't want to see you bumped.

 

[Motty]

cheers to everyone for your responses, the meeting went well and I have steered them to the seperate radials for the heaters, and they're fine with the in-situ stuff as a EICR. The customer looks like they've had a right hard time, felt a bit sorry for them in the end. The previous sparkie was taking the p1$$ and some liberties (apparently he was a friend of theirs) and as a result they paid him up for the work he'd done (which seems alright, looking at whats' been put in) and asked him to call it quits, according to the builder. I know its only one side of the story but they all seemed very reasonable approachable people, so putting a price in and see how that goes. Will suggest stage-by-stage payments and if it goes belly-up i've only lost time. just hope it works out, thanks again for your advice!