Yet Another Dodgy EICR

[JK-Electrical]

A prospective customer has contacted me via a recommendation received from a mutual contact and asked me to provide a quotation for remedial works that have arisen from an EICR that was recently undertaken at a three-bedroom property he rents out. In his initial e-mail, he said that the letting agent has told him that the following remedial works are necessary:

Replace Fusebox then test and certify
Materials to replace a double socket
Materials to install main gas bond, 10m of 16mm earth cable, 2 bonding clamps

I asked the property owner to forward me a copy of the EICR. I have redacted all personal details contained therein and have uploaded the report for your consideration, scrutiny and appraisal. My own personal assessment is that the property owner has been ripped-off by a drive-by tester and that the report isn't worth the paper that it's written on. Although the property owner was charged just £95.00 by the letting agent, even this amount could be considered excessive given the poor quality of the report.

Over to you guys .....

 

[Dave OCD]

£250.00 sounds about right Dave. Alas, it just isn't possible to get anywhere near that kind of price accepted around Glasgow, not when you have "landlord compliance certification" companies offering to do EICRs in three-bedroom properties for £95.00.

I'm considering withdrawing EICRs from the list of services that I offer and withdrawing from this saturated market altogether as it's become a race to the bottom.

To be honest I don't get quite a few mate, the accepted ones are generally existing customers or someone that I've been recommended to. But I'd say there's a major problem right across the country with bad EICRs, I see plenty just as bad as the one you've recently highlighted. It's never right when you're undercut by these unscrupulous idiots who couldn't care less, not sure what we can really do about it though....

 

[JK-Electrical]

To be honest I don't get quite a few mate, the accepted ones are generally existing customers or someone that I've been recommended to. But I'd say there's a major problem right across the country with bad EICRs, I see plenty just as bad as the one you've recently highlighted. It's never right when you're undercut by these unscrupulous idiots who couldn't care less, not sure what we can really do about it though....

Some of the EICRs that I've been asked to provide a second opinion on have either turned-out to be fake, or incorrect due to the tester's incompetence. If what I've witnessed up here in Glasgow is typical of the rest of the UK, then yes, we most certainly do have a major problem on our hands.

As honest, professional electricians all we can do is identify and expose unscrupulous operators wherever we find them.

 

[Risteard]

Out of curiosity, what would you guys usually charge for undertaking an EICR in a three-bedroom property?

£200 is my starting price for them, i.e. I don't do them for less than that.

So with a standard three bed generally the £200.

I personally feel the base price should be £250 to allow for a day but I've found that I can regularly get them accepted at £200 but £250 not so much so. That said, add a bedroom or power in a garage or shed or whatever and it would be £250 upwards.

 

[Risteard]

Of course, vertical ! Even on an accessory with the white caps over the screws.

I'll be honest. I line them up even when there are caps over the screws.

 

[Simon47]

I'd say there's a major problem right across the country with bad EICRs

Which makes a complete mockery of the mandatory EICRs for rented properties in Scotland and coming to England at some point. It just becomes a box ticking exercise to be done at the lowest cost possible.

 

[Des 56]

My estimation of 90% of eicrs falling well below what should be regarded as acceptable,it may not be far off the mark

Rouge companies who have destroyed the market with insane pricing whilst employing people with too little experience for the task

 

[Grant1987]

Which makes a complete mockery of the mandatory EICRs for rented properties in Scotland and coming to England at some point. It just becomes a box ticking exercise to be done at the lowest cost possible.

You’re absolutely right Simon although you didn’t mention WALES! The EICR now just seems to be pages of tick boxes the worst part is that I do EICR’s for private landlords and then don’t get called back to rectify problems I don’t know if it’s because I find so many problems and give accurate price to reflect their neglect of electrics over the years or if they want me to summarise the faults and then get a cheap sparky/diyer in to do botch jobs and get certificate from elsewhere won’t believe some of the stuff I’ve come across

 

[JK-Electrical]

Which makes a complete mockery of the mandatory EICRs for rented properties in Scotland and coming to England at some point. It just becomes a box ticking exercise to be done at the lowest cost possible.

My sentiments exactly.

My estimation of 90% of eicrs falling well below what should be regarded as acceptable,it may not be far off the mark

On the basis of what I've seen with my own eyes, I wouldn't disagree with your estimation.

Rouge companies who have destroyed the market with insane pricing whilst employing people with too little experience for the task

You have succinctly hit the nail on the head. Well said Des.

 

[richy3333]

@JK-Electrical Have you reported this to SELECT? I'm NICEIC but have to say my recent contact with them over poor work I found was exceptional even though the culprit wasn't registered with any CPS (or SJIB) and I'm not in the SELECT gang. In contrast the NICEIC were appalling.

 

[JK-Electrical]

@JK-Electrical Have you reported this to SELECT?

I most certainly have Richy. SELECT have been informed, and the company responsible for this poor-quality EICR will hopefully be disciplined, or better still, have their membership revoked. I sure hope so.

I'm NICEIC but have to say my recent contact with them over poor work I found was exceptional even though the culprit wasn't registered with any CPS (or SJIB) and I'm not in the SELECT gang. In contrast the NICEIC were appalling.

We will never be able to raise industry standards if we bury our heads in the sand, shrug our shoulders and say it isn't our problem. It is our problem! It's our industry!! Not only are these rogue companies compromising electrical safety in other people's properties, they are also compromising the livelihoods of conscientious contractors who can provide a more professional service, but who are prevented from doing so because they cannot compete with the ridiculously low prices that these rogue "landlord certification" companies submit.

I don't know what state the domestic market is in up in your neck of the woods, but down here in Glasgow the market is in very bad shape indeed. While I have come to expect poor quality workmanship from the plumbers, kitchen-fitters, bathroom-fitters and DIYers who carry-out electrical installation work, I do not, however, expect to see the same from a SELECT member. They bring discredit upon the good name of SELECT. I therefore had no reservations whatsoever in reporting the company concerned.

 

[richy3333]

Totally agree @JK-Electrical in my area there is me and 1 SELECT guy who are registered but we have to compete with another 12 dangerous Dave's, Brian the bodgers and now the super wizz-kid that's done his 3 week course!

Thing is if all the CPS companies were genuinely interested in raising standards then they could see all these people as potential new members and thus much more revenue. Problem with the NICEIC is they dont give a ---- unless you are falsely using their logo. Anything else falls on deaf ears. The NICEIC have a roadshow in Inverness soon so I shall be having my voice if I can.

My business is lucky as we do a lot of renewables and commercial work but we do also benefit off these 'bottom feeders' by being called in to fix their faults. Its money for the business but I always feel bad for the customer as they shouldn't have to pay twice. Most are ignorant about competency, qualifications etc.

Only last night a hotel called saying their 'local electrician' couldn't attend an emergancy (no bedroom lights) until sunday. They wanted me to go. 18 months ago I put right this 'local electricians' work as part of an EICR and it cost the hotel a huge amount of cash. But even then they haven't learned anything from it. I suggested they call somebody out from Inverness which is a 2 hour drive each way! I had beer to drink

Roll on the Scottish government giving us protected title. Maybe then a body (SELECT) can get some real teeth and kick these people out of the industry (I can live in hope).

 

[Lister1987]

Totally agree @JK-Electrical in my area there is me and 1 SELECT guy who are registered but we have to compete with another 12 dangerous Dave's, Brian the bodgers and now the super wizz-kid that's done his 3 week course!

Thing is if all the CPS companies were genuinely interested in raising standards then they could see all these people as potential new members and thus much more revenue. Problem with the NICEIC is they dont give a **** unless you are falsely using their logo. Anything else falls on deaf ears. The NICEIC have a roadshow in Inverness soon so I shall be having my voice if I can.

My business is lucky as we do a lot of renewables and commercial work but we do also benefit off these 'bottom feeders' by being called in to fix their faults. Its money for the business but I always feel bad for the customer as they shouldn't have to pay twice. Most are ignorant about competency, qualifications etc.

Only last night a hotel called saying their 'local electrician' couldn't attend an emergancy (no bedroom lights) until sunday. They wanted me to go. 18 months ago I put right this 'local electricians' work as part of an EICR and it cost the hotel a huge amount of cash. But even then they haven't learned anything from it. I suggested they call somebody out from Inverness which is a 2 hour drive each way! I had beer to drink

Roll on the Scottish government giving us protected title. Maybe then a body (SELECT) can get some real teeth and kick these people out of the industry (I can live in hope).

You'd think that wouldn't you? I mean just the other day there was a local woman in crown court having falsely claimed to be Gas Safe registered, why we haven't got a central body like thar, and the legal regulation to be registered God only knows.

 

[pirate]

I was in Helensburgh yesterday (for those south of the border it is a seaside town on the Clyde) collecting my car after a service and MOT. It was a £700 bill, but i trust my mechanic completely, and was happy with his charges as I know my car is as safe as it can be after his ministrations.
Anyway, while i was chatting to him, a van drew up...a local electrician...turns out he spemds most of his time sorting out bodged jobs in the local area...he doesn't like the bodges, but he loves the work he gets fixing them. So sad that he is always second in line...but sadder still that he is so busy with such work. Helensburgh is a fairly posh place, with many huge old houses, and plenty of money, so also sad that those rich folk go for cut-price "electricians"...

 

[JK-Electrical]

Anyway, while i was chatting to him, a van drew up...a local electrician...turns out he spemds most of his time sorting out bodged jobs in the local area...he doesn't like the bodges, but he loves the work he gets fixing them. So sad that he is always second in line...but sadder still that he is so busy with such work. Helensburgh is a fairly posh place, with many huge old houses, and plenty of money, so also sad that those rich folk go for cut-price "electricians"...

As you already know, my seafaring, rum-guzzling, plundering friend, I too have spent a considerable amount of tine putting right lash-ups. However, unlike the Helensburgh spark, I derive no pleasure whatsoever from this type of work. I find it tedious.

The clowns who create these lash-ups will continue to thrive at the expense of bona fide contractors until such times as The SNP regime through in Edinburgh takes its finger out of its arse and passes legislation that will give Scottish electricians protection of title.

 

[JK-Electrical]

Totally agree @JK-Electrical in my area there is me and 1 SELECT guy who are registered but we have to compete with another 12 dangerous Dave's, Brian the bodgers and now the super wizz-kid that's done his 3 week course!

Thing is if all the CPS companies were genuinely interested in raising standards then they could see all these people as potential new members and thus much more revenue. Problem with the NICEIC is they dont give a **** unless you are falsely using their logo. Anything else falls on deaf ears. The NICEIC have a roadshow in Inverness soon so I shall be having my voice if I can.

My business is lucky as we do a lot of renewables and commercial work but we do also benefit off these 'bottom feeders' by being called in to fix their faults. Its money for the business but I always feel bad for the customer as they shouldn't have to pay twice. Most are ignorant about competency, qualifications etc.

Only last night a hotel called saying their 'local electrician' couldn't attend an emergancy (no bedroom lights) until sunday. They wanted me to go. 18 months ago I put right this 'local electricians' work as part of an EICR and it cost the hotel a huge amount of cash. But even then they haven't learned anything from it. I suggested they call somebody out from Inverness which is a 2 hour drive each way! I had beer to drink

Roll on the Scottish government giving us protected title. Maybe then a body (SELECT) can get some real teeth and kick these people out of the industry (I can live in hope).

Protection of title is coming Richy. It's a question of when rather than if. But protection of title on its own isn't enough, in my opinion. The public needs to be educated about electricians, the work we do and the standards we work to. How this could be achieved in actuality, I'm not sure.