A customer recently contacted me because the electrics in their property kept tripping while building work was being carried out. They had hired a general builder who had also taken on the electrical work. By the time I arrived, it was clear something wasn't right.
RNM ELectrical services Things to consider before a house rewire
As I worked through the installation, I found a number of issues where the electrical work hadn't been carried out to a safe standard and in line with the current wiring regulations, BS7671. The constant tripping wasn't the fault itself. It was a symptom that something within the installation needed putting right.
In this particular job, RNM ELectrical Services ltd wasn't called in to carry out the original rewire. I was called because the electrics continually tripped. Once I started inspecting the installation, I found several parts of the work that didn't comply with BS7671 (the UK wiring regulations) and were unsafe to say the least. This meant time had to be spent identifying the faults before they could be corrected. It meant additional cost for the customer, as we had to charge not only for the fault finding but also to rectify all the issues we had found. It also meant additional work that could have been avoided if the electrical installation had been completed correctly in the first place.
After more than 20 years working as an electrician across Bristol, Bath and the surrounding areas, I've seen similar situations more than once. If there's one piece of advice I'd give anyone planning a house rewire, it's this. Make sure the electrical work is carried out by a electrician registered with a governing body like the NICEIC for example from the very beginning.
One decision can save a lot of unnecessary cost.
When homeowners plan a renovation or house rewire, they're often organising builders, Plasterers, decorators and several different traders at once. Sometimes it seems easier to let one person coordinate everything.
The problem comes when electrical work is carried out by someone who isn't properly approved and does not hold the correct accreditation to undertake the work.
Why I always recommend using a NICEIC approved contractor like ourselves.
When customers ask me for one piece of advice before planning a house rewire, this is always my answer.
It gives you the confidence that the person carrying out the work has been assessed yearly to a high standard to undertake electrical installation and they are fully insured to carry out such work and It also reduces the risk of problems appearing once the project is underway or after you've moved back into your home.
Every house rewire is a significant investment. Getting the electrical work right first time is far easier than paying for faults to be investigated or corrected later.
So before any work begins, make sure you know exactly who will be carrying out the electrical installation.
If you're employing a builder to manage your project, ask who their electrician is and check that they are a NICEIC approved contractor before works starts and that they are carrying out all the electrical work.
It's a simple question that can save a great deal of inconvenience later.
Contact us today on 0800 002 5276 or via our contact form.
