Got some sparky`s out at last.

[Dave-sparks]

Customers love coming home to a chased hallway and landing.

After all it's just a couple of wires, plastering and redecorating.

I always turn around and say "it's just a couple of wires".

I'm not quite sure what point you are making here?

Nobody really wants their walls chased out I'm sure, and most of the time this can be avoided. Plus they will have been made aware of what is happening before work starts so it's hardly a surprise for them.

My point is that a fault such as a borrowed neutral is not a reason to fully rewire a house.

 

[MetalMonkey]

This is not 'usual process'. An EICR is carried out if the customer wants it done, it is not a necessary prerequisite for replacing a CU.

Yes the electrician needs to satisfy themselves that the installation is in suitable condition to work on, and inform the customer of any problems, but there is no need to charge a customer for a full blown EICR before doing the job.

Most sparks I know would strongly recommend, or possibly flat refuse to do a CU swap without conducting an EICR beforehand - so yes I would say it is the "usual process" - and with good reason.
If you don't test beforehand, how do you know what you are getting in to, or if any subsequent fault was pre-existing or introduced as part of the work.

Trying to explain to the customer that the fault you found after you have pulled their installation apart "must have already been there squire" without any concrete proof is not going to end well.

 

[mtt.tr]

I'm not quite sure what point you are making here?

Nobody really wants their walls chased out I'm sure, and most of the time this can be avoided. Plus they will have been made aware of what is happening before work starts so it's hardly a surprise for them.

My point is that a fault such as a borrowed neutral is not a reason to fully rewire a house.

My point is you have bizarre way of conducting yourself, I strongly imagine your attitude towards customers is much the same as you come across on here.

 

[Dave-sparks]

Most sparks I know would strongly recommend, or possibly flat refuse to do a CU swap without conducting an EICR beforehand - so yes I would say it is the "usual process" - and with good reason.
If you don't test beforehand, how do you know what you are getting in to, or if any subsequent fault was pre-existing or introduced as part of the work.

I completely agree with testing beforehand, but not carrying out an EICR, there's a world of difference between the two.

 

[Dave-sparks]

My point is you have bizarre way of conducting yourself, I strongly imagine your attitude towards customers is much the same as you come across on here.

Well I've never had any complaints from my customers, and most of them are regular customers I've had for 5+ years.

 

[brightspark]

Well I've never had any complaints from my customers, and most of them are regular customers I've had for 5+ years.

i have customers from over 50 years not in the phone book no name on van dont advertise and dont want any new customers or more work

 

[Dave-sparks]

i have customers from over 50 years not in the phone book no name on van dont advertise and dont want any new customers or more work

Likewise I don't advertise or do any kind of marketing, all of my customers have come to me through recommendation/word of mouth.

I'm nowhere near old enough to have had customers for that long yet!

 

[MetalMonkey]

I completely agree with testing beforehand, but not carrying out an EICR, there's a world of difference between the two.

That is entirely your call, but I suspect you would be in the minority in doing so - so again, an EICR would be "usual practice", not mandatory agreed, but certainly perfectly normal, and perfectly acceptable. Just seems an odd thing for you to claim otherwise.

 

[Dave-sparks]

That is entirely your call, but I suspect you would be in the minority in doing so - so again, an EICR would be "usual practice", not mandatory agreed, but certainly perfectly normal, and perfectly acceptable. Just seems an odd thing for you to claim otherwise.

Maybe it is usual practice now then, but I still see that it is necessary or fair.

Who pays for the EICR to be carried out? It just seems wrong to me that a customer should be expected to pay for an EICR when they have asked for something else to be done.

To me it just seems like one of those things which is becoming common in domestic work, but would be considered ridiculous in any other part of the industry.

 

[Wildefalcon]

What's an EICR?

 

[Blobber]

My opinion, testing with a £1000.00 worth of kit wont always show up problems and it winds me up that its all people bark on about, a quick visual inspection gives loads of answers without lifting a meter, all you need is a screwdriver and torch

Are the ceiling rose pendant cables 2 core twisted?
Are the lighting circuits just 2 core?
Are the back boxes timber?
Are the existing cables rubber?
Are the existing cables VIR eeek?!
Does the installation look untidy/messed about with?
Any bonding cables about?

All very simple things to check that will give you an idea of age and condition

 

[My Old Landy]

What's an EICR?

Electrical Inspection Condition Report

 

[xstian]

That is entirely your call, but I suspect you would be in the minority in doing so - so again, an EICR would be "usual practice", not mandatory agreed, but certainly perfectly normal, and perfectly acceptable. Just seems an odd thing for you to claim otherwise.

I don't think he is in the minority. Sometimes you do a EICR because it makes sense, normally because you have already found a few problems, so you know its not going to be a simple job. I wouldn't do a full EICR on every CU upgrade job.

 

[W.olly]

Blimey again all the replies has mashed my head, all these abreviated thingys lol. Not a clue what you all mean ha ha

Still thanks for the comments

What i could not understand at first was that each job had to be done, or wouldnt be done by one sparky. North West energy would only fix the earth and not fit the Isolator as that was to be done by Utlita but they want £190 to do that. Sod that. Lucky to get one of the chaps from NWE.

After thoughts on reading here and todays thoughts we have decided to just get a new CU fitted for £300. if he checks the circuits or not i am not bothered as long as its done. Then i can wire up the workshop. Aslong as its signed off its all we need or he dont get paid.

It goes to show to me that all these courses and training that folk need to do to become a `legit` sparky, even gas man are not used or all folk would be doing the same thing as in checks etc etc.

Its a shame for the ones that go by the book that i would think loose out on work to those that dont bother and charge less which i bet good money that happens.

Thanks folks for the help and info

 

[brightspark]

when i worked for a firm i used to go check out peoples wiring on the fiddle then put any faults right do the earth bonding etc for a cheap rate then they payed to have a test and cert for it by any other company and of course it passed saving them money because if it failed a test the company would sting them for remedial work on top of the test fee

 

[Onoff]

i just pull them or conect the tails in new db live no one cares havent the time to mess on getting them out