Getting electrical work approved

[JohnW2]

It may seem daft but you are permitted to wire a house to any EU standard it does not need to be British you could install German "Schuko" CEE 7/4 plug and socket and the LABC has to ensure it is to German standard but as a scheme member British electricians could not fit these sockets they don't comply with British regulations ...

AFAIAA, there is no legal requirement other than to comply with Part P of the Building Regs, and that can theoretically be achieved (by a sufficiently skilled and knowledgeable person) without reference to, or compliance with, any Standards or regulations.

A problem arises because the various certificates and, indeed, an EICR itself, are all BS7671-derived - so an electrician could not really sensibly use those forms/certificates (unless appreciably modified) unless the work (either new or existing) in question had been undertaken to BS7671.

Kind Regards, John

 

[stillp]

I can't remember, are Schuko sockets shuttered?

 

[JohnW2]

I can't remember, are Schuko sockets shuttered?

Ones with shutters are certainly now available, but, AFAIAA, the 'traditional' ones (hence many/most of those 'out there') are/were not.

Kind Regards, John

 

[bazmdiy]

Hi all,

Ok this is how the cookie crumbles...

The LABC will not accept the argument that the new wiring in the extension is not a new circuit. Therefore the works are notifiable.

For them to issue a certificate for the electrical works (which is what I want) they insist on there own approved electricians. They will not issue a certificate based on an IECR report or any third party electrician report.

So I have to cough up £296 for them to do the work. It hurts but I'm happy with the outcome. The marginal cost over getting approval some other way is probably very small. They say that if I had included the works in the original Building Notice the cost difference would have been minimal.

It seems that a responsible DIYer with proper research and some help from qualified electricians can complete sizeable electrical works and get them approved by the LABC.

In my case I did most of the work since I could build the cable routes into the structure as construction progressed. I am pleased with the outcome. (assuming work is satisfactory!).

Thanks for all replies.

 

[JohnW2]

The LABC will not accept the argument that the new wiring in the extension is not a new circuit. Therefore the works are notifiable. ... For them to issue a certificate for the electrical works (which is what I want) they insist on there own approved electricians. They will not issue a certificate based on an IECR report or any third party electrician report. .... So I have to cough up £296 for them to do the work. It hurts but I'm happy with the outcome. The marginal cost over getting approval some other way is probably very small. They say that if I had included the works in the original Building Notice the cost difference would have been minimal.

That's more like what I expected, but I'm glad that you're happy with this outcome. As you imply, you would probably have had to pay for this 'approved electrician' even if the electrical work had been included in your original application.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ericmark]

So I have to cough up £296 for them to do the work. It hurts but I'm happy with the outcome. The marginal cost over getting approval some other way is probably very small. They say that if I had included the works in the original Building Notice the cost difference would have been minimal.

Ouch that's more than I expected. Here in Wales it's still £100 for first £2000 worth of work plus vat so here starting from scratch £140 however one does need to show you are able to complete the Installation certificate or they will insist on using one of the list of electricians they have to test.

If tested by a third party I am not sure if you get the installation certificate? If tested in house by council you don't.

As said before when you come to sell you may need the installation certificate so worth enquiring if you can get either an installation or EICR with the latter you can then copy readings and you sign the installation certificate.

 

[bazmdiy]

Hi Eric

I will query price again - on the LABC website it says regularisation charges are an IDC (individually determined charge). It bugs me when charges differ across the country for same situation.

At least using the LABC I will get 2 certificates - one for building work and one for electrical. When we sell the house I dont want any hassle with the buyers solicitors/surveyors and I think an LABC certificate will satisfy everyone.

Best Wishes

Barry

 

[JohnW2]

I will query price again - on the LABC website it says regularisation charges are an IDC (individually determined charge). It bugs me when charges differ across the country for same situation.

I'm not convinced that what you are being askd to pay is necessarily a regularisation charge (they might be doing that 'for nothing') - as I said before, it could just be a passed-through charge for use of an external 'approved electrician' - which, as eric has told you, they are now allowed to charge for (although they can't charge 'extra' for use of thir own inspectors).

At least using the LABC I will get 2 certificates - one for building work and one for electrical. When we sell the house I dont want any hassle with the buyers solicitors/surveyors and I think an LABC certificate will satisfy everyone.

As eric has implied, I wouldn't count on that. The LABC Completion Certificate will give a prospective buyer reassurance that the work was 'approved' by LABC, but it won't include any of the electrician's test results etc. - which a buyer might possibly want to see. Hence eric's suggestions as to how you might 'create' and EIC!

Kind Regards, John

 

[bazmdiy]

Hi John

I was definitely told by the inspector that I would get 2 certificates - one for building and the other for electrical. So tomorrow I will get confirmation and ask what the electrical works certificate comprises and whether it represents approval by the LABC of the electrical work and whether it contains test results. I definitely want something that would satisfy a prospective purchaser.

I'm having to fill in a regularisation form and the fee has to be sent with the form. Who gets the money thereafter I can only guess but like you say it will probably go to an LABC approved electrician.

Best wishes Barry

 

[JohnW2]

I was definitely told by the inspector that I would get 2 certificates - one for building and the other for electrical. So tomorrow I will get confirmation and ask what the electrical works certificate comprises and whether it represents approval by the LABC of the electrical work and whether it contains test results. I definitely want something that would satisfy a prospective purchaser.

I don't doubt that you will get a separate certificate for the electric work, given that it is covered by the 'regularisation procedure, but it will probably only be a 'Completion Certificate' which, IIRC, is little more than a statement of "we hereby approve ....". Since tests have to be done, the results must be available, and so (if they don't come with the certificate) you could try asking for something along the lines of an EIC (which is what an electrician undertaking the installation work would have to provide).

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

He cannot get an EIC because the electrician doing the inspection and testing cannot sign a declaration to say that he did the design and the construction.

 

[JohnW2]

He cannot get an EIC because the electrician doing the inspection and testing cannot sign a declaration to say that he did the design and the construction.

I know, which is why I said "something along the lines of an EIC". I suppose he could just do the testing part of a three-signature form.

Kind Regards, John

 

[bazmdiy]

Hi All - no inspectors available today so still waiting for answer to what the electrical certificate will contain.

Regards Barry

 

[bazmdiy]

Hi all - just to round this post off...

Contacted Building Control and it goes like this:

They employ third party contractor.

The contractor expects to inspect after electrical first fix.

However, any covered cables are accepted if photographic evidence.

The report goes to BC with test results. If building control gives permission (and they will) the test results will also be sent to planning applicant (me).

Although I'm £296 worse off I'm well happy with the outcome.

Regards to all posters

Read more: //www.diynot.com/diy/threads/c...r-worktop.421954/page-2#3299802#ixzz3Pl46ZIyS

 

[JohnW2]

Hi all - just to round this post off... Although I'm £296 worse off I'm well happy with the outcome.

Thanks for the update. I'm glad that you are happy with the outcome, which doesn't sound unreasonable.

Kind Regards, John