Builder carrying out electrical work - Badly!

[V1k_10]

Hi all,

My parents are having an extension built and as part of this, the contractor has been asked to lay electric underfloor heating (under laminate flooring).

My mum called me to tell me that this part of the work had been completed and that it was working and so I went over to have a look at it yesterday.

I was shocked at what I saw - please see pics.

WhatsApp Image 2021-09-14 At 14.45.57

• V1k_10
• 14 Sep 2021

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• V1k_10
• 14 Sep 2021

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• V1k_10
• 14 Sep 2021

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• V1k_10
• 14 Sep 2021

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• V1k_10
• 14 Sep 2021

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• V1k_10
• 14 Sep 2021

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As can be seen in the pictures, the builder had laid the cabling directly under the carpet, trapped it under a (non earthed) metal carpet gripper strip and ran it over a carpet gripper strip too.

He'd also used a 1.5mm cable to take a spur off of a (ring final) socket which already had a radial circuit taken from it.

Although I'm fairly certain the described can't be safe, I thought that I should ask to be certain? If this is unsafe, what can my parents do to make sure that they are not being taken for a total ride?

Many thanks.

 

[HERTS P&D]

Stop all work and call out a qualified Electrician to get a written report.

You might want to check the rest of his work.

Andy

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes, safe or not, that's terrible.

Tell him to go away.

 

[JP_]

Crazy, how do people think they can get away with this sort of thing?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That is absolutely appalling and potentially very dangerous. Hope your parents haven't paid in advance for the work? Why is a builder even doing this work - are you sure he/they are even qualified to do any sort of work?

Stop them immediately and report them to TS.

 

[bernardgreen]

TS - Trading Standards Definitely report this person and then hopefully prevent him creating dangerous situations in the homes of other unsuspecting customers.

 

[V1k_10]

Thank you all. My parents were under the impression that that he'd have a qualified electrician who would do the electrical work for him and sign it off. But it now turns out that he will carry out the electrical work and an electrician that he knows will sign it off - I'm not even sure if this is allowed hence asking here.

What should my parents expect in respect of any electrical work done? I'm assuming an electrician to come over, check the circuits, test them and then give them a certificate of some sort?

 

[EFLImpudence]

But it now turns out that he will carry out the electrical work and an electrician that he knows will sign it off - I'm not even sure if this is allowed hence asking here.

It doesn't work like that - except possibly an employer who really trusts an employee, but, obviously that cannot be the case in this example.

What should my parents expect in respect of any electrical work done?

That it shall be redone properly.

 

[V1k_10]

God knows - I don't trust this guy at all and am very worried about what he's done so far. The extension is pretty much complete though - all electrics done by him.... without ripping the cables out of the walls, how can I find out if what he's done is safe?

If it's a case of getting an electrician in to check, what should the electrician be checking and how would he/she check this with the cables in the walls?

 

[sparkwright]

Absolute crap.

Not only is it very badly done, this builder is potentially ripping your parents off - when you think about it.

EDIT. Extension??

Have certificates been mentioned???

 

[sparkwright]

EDIT. Extension??

Have certificates been mentioned???

For new work such as extensions, it would be very dodgy to have an electrician to certify someone else's work.

 

[sparkwright]

Some photos of the rest of his work may be helpful, this needs sorting out NOW, before payment takes place.

 

[V1k_10]

Yes, apparently he said he'd have the work certified. But without being a qualified electrician himself (from what he's done on the flooring) and not having a qualified electrician do the work for him, i can't see how this can happen?

Unless he works with another unscrupulous electrician who he pays of to dish out certificates to him - in which case im seriously worried!

 

[Diver Fred]

I'd say that is a fire hazard.

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Massive bodge. There are very limited circumstances where an electrician can legitimately sign off someone else's work, none of that shows any evidence of competence or care. Extension you say- are Building Control involved with any of it? As others, don't let him touch any more wiring, do contact Trading Standards, don't pay him