Multi-stage Part P certification?

[Donkmeister]

As I'm finally ready to start my rewire, I've started enquiries with my local BCO as to what they expect to see before, during and after the job. I've not broached this one yet, but was wondering if anyone else has tried it...

Doing a whole-house rewire, whilst living in the house and doing plenty of other jobs that are all interdependent, I'd rather not leave the entire house at first-fix for a year or so for the Inspector to see exactly where every cable is before I plaster and decorate.

What I'd rather do is take an approach of finishing one room, including plaster, decoration and second fix, before starting on the next room. Obviously, informing the Inspector so he is at leisure to check each room's first fix before I bury it.

Has anyone had success with getting the BCO to regard such an approach as "just one job"?

Does the Inspector (or his delegate) ALWAYS come to inspect the wiring or do they just like to be given the option?

I suspect I'm setting myself up for a year in a building site or £2000 of Part P charges...

 

[Chri5]

I'd suggest you do the full job in a short time span- rough (but safe) making good.

The whole thing will work best if you do some of the base circuits such as cooker, immersion, and maybe some light to floor feeds. This will show the LABC your skill level and if they feel your up to it will show a more relaxed inspection routine.

Your main points of debate (and that need resolution) are a) your need to live with electrical services b) the good sense of using old cable routes (when in correct zones) rather than old.

A point would be why add further holes to joists, when removing the old cable and re- using the route for a new cable is better. That can't be achieved on a 1st fix, wait for approval basis. Same with using existing conduct routes (lighting drops), switch and socket positions.

You need to instill a confidence that you understand the regs both building and electrical. How would you intend to do that ?

 

[Donkmeister]

Good ideas, I'll try that. I could instill some confidence by including all my calcs in the spec I send them prior to commencement. Could also send them some photos with the planned cable routes vs accessories, joists and other services...

If it wasn't for the fact the new CU needs to go right where the old one is, I'd just leave the new wiring dead and roll out the extension leads until certification.