more on this: my reply to them, with the help of bans post:
as far as im concerned, anyone can do the work, providing its done properly
and complies with part P.
it is part of your job to test. if not, please state the part of the
Statutory Instrument 2004 no. 3210 The building (Amendment no.3) regulations
2004 where it states the work must be carried out by someone else. also,
please explain why it says in circular 8/2004 why it says 'local authorities
do not have the power to require householders to retain an electrician to
test and certificate the work in accordance with BS 7671. Local authorities
which have adopted such a practice should discontinue it immediately'
you also said this:
If you are not qualified to issue such a certificate then you would have to
have the work checked by someone who can.
on what legal basis do you assess wether someone is competent to issue
certificates? and what happends when someone decides they need an extra
socket in the bedroom and spurs from a nearby socket. this is not notifiable
and he wouldnt know how to give certificates.
you also said:
I am sure that because of your training you already know that regardless of
the introduction of Part P anyone carrying out electrical works should
already give their client a copy of a BS7671 certificate to say the works
have been designed, installed and tested and are satisfactory.
if im working to BS7671, then certificates should be issued. but where in
BS7671 does it say they are mandatory? and if there not mandatory then there
isnt a legal requirement to issue certificates.
you also said:
and my advice would have to be not to become involved in works for "friends"
where you cannot operate as a "true" contractor and give guarantees etc
what legislation says this?
Consequently and unfortunately for you my advice would be not to become
involved as it would appear that you would not be able to perform all the
functions to "keep the work legal"
why are you tryin to get someone else to do the work, and in effect 'refuse'
to carry out your statutory responsibilities to perform the functions to
keep the work legal?
you also said:
We would far prefer the works to be carried out by an experienced electrican
as opposed to a DIY but at the end of the day the bottom line is that the
system will need to be tested and certified.
i work as an electrician full time. i do have been on house re-wires for 6
month. i think i should know how to wire a house. wether i do it or some
electrical company does it, it will be done to the same standards. altho the
approach you seem to be taking is 'your not qualified enough, get someone
else'. Part P is also here to help DIYers with little experiance to ensure
the system is safe
you also said:
You appear to be mis representing what I have said about the levels of fees
we charge as I have not said that we would charge you "more to do the work"
I was trying to relate to you the time and cost this could cost the
authority if your friend wasnt to commission his own testing.
you say it will cost about £200 for you to have the system tested, i read
that as i would have to pay extra for that ontop of your fee's (my
appologies if i have read it wrong). charging people extra to get somoene
appointed by yourself to test isnt allowed.
overall, we just want the house re-wired. so we have a few options: just do
it, end of. but i would rather keep this legal which you seem to be making
hard to do by breaching certain things and tryin to get someone else to do
it the work
his reply:
Andrew
please give me a ring [number removed] or provide me with a contact number so I can phone you so we can discuss and Ill try my best to run through all your comments.
Our emails are becoming increasingly complex and its certainly not my intention to be confrontational
and I would not like my comments to be taken in such a way.I agree anyone can do the work as long as its done properly
It will certainly be easier to discuss, however please be assured we are following national guidance which was discussed between Local Authority Building Control and ODPM After the letter(which you quote from and not the actual circular) which accompanied circular 8/2004 was sent to local Authorities
I hope that verbally I will be able to satisify your concerns to ensure what we both want i.e. the works on site to be done in a safe and satisfactory manner
regards
[name removed]
