I'm after some Real World opinions :


I've just moved into an old house and want to update some of the wiring. New sockets, improved ring main wiring, general tidy up type stuff.

Now, I've read a load of Building Reg documents and forms, and (think) I understand the process of inspections, local council building control, "competent person" and part P, so have a good handle on the "official" way to do this.

But...

How many DIYers actually follow this ?

In the "Real World" what do people do ?

Is it in the same category as all those bits that magically "fall off" a car after IVA ??


Do I just do it and keep quiet,
or fill in the paperwork and then do it,
or give up and pay someone "competent" to do it ?


Thanks,

Tim.

Due to the fact that nobody on here knows whether you have the required skills to to complete the work safely then it's not really a question that anybody apart from you should be answering. In my opinion it comes down to your competence and consciense.

I know my own abiliites and would happily do basic work myself.

Davie

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Originally posted by daviep
Due to the fact that nobody on here knows whether you have the required skills to to complete the work safely then it's not really a question that anybody apart from you should be answering. In my opinion it comes down to your competence and consciense.

I know my own abiliites and would happily do basic work myself.

Davie

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Assuming you are happy you know what you are doing you can still do a lot of stuff without needing part P, or going through building control particularly things like replacement of damaged cables, sockets etc.

The issues arising if selling the house where it is obvious work has been done and there is no ceritfication, and the possible risk of invalidating insurance should your work result in the house burning down.

I assume the current cable is red / black? The new colours post part P are blue & brown so it will be obvious if changes have been made.

If you do work yourself ideally you should carry out the appropriate tests and record the results.

Stu

As long as it was done competently, I wouldn't open that can of worms.

I've replaced light switches before now, they're only slightly more complicated that wiring a plug and tbh I think if you can't do that right then you shouldn't be allowed out of sight of your carer.. I mean there were instruction on the package on what wire goes where, and it even said they might be red and black!

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Originally posted by Ninehigh
I've replaced light switches before now, they're only slightly more complicated that wiring a plug and tbh I think if you can't do that right then you shouldn't be allowed out of sight of your carer.. I mean there were instruction on the package on what wire goes where, and it even said they might be red and black!

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DIY'er do not need to comply with PART P for updating a current system.

BUT you do need to confident of your work as it may invalidate your insurance if you cause a fire or blow ye self up.....

Sockets and moving wiring etc isnt difficult but i would suggest getting a sparky in to check your work as you dont need part P then you will just get a safety cert simular to landlords CERT.....

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Originally posted by Ninehigh
I've replaced light switches before now, they're only slightly more complicated that wiring a plug and tbh I think if you can't do that right then you shouldn't be allowed out of sight of your carer.. I mean there were instruction on the package on what wire goes where, and it even said they might be red and black!

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And a moan here about socket, as I replaced a couple of cracked ones today....why do different manufacturers insist on having different positions for the terminals, and the sparky's don't leave enough spare cable to rearrange the cables. Bah. Spent about 30mins going through other sockets until I found a matching one that could be replaced with the new ones.

Back to the original post. I rewired and partially rewired more than one house when you were allowed to (pre 2000 I think) and the current rules allow you to swap sockets/switches etc (or at least they did)
However, IF you believe you are competent, I wouldn't hesitate to replace a ring main. And I wouldn't worry about being "caught out" as the worst that is likely to happen is somebody will make you have it tested. A periodic inspect down my way (Brighton) costs about £125 and covers everything that will make you worry. After my initial tests on our rentals most of the "very dangerous" issues involved needing warning stickers on the consumer units and red sleeving on cables at the light switches. And some trunking covering was missing......all horrendous stuff really.

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which make the difference between a tidy professional job and a shambles

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Originally posted by jossey

DIY'er do not need to comply with PART P for updating a current system.

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The joys of an old house that has been "DIYed" over the years means the wiring could be in any state....

I advise you not to do any work on the wiring.... as it was all "perfect when you moved in".. COUGH and when you come to move on, you never touched the wiring..... cant be proved either way... and if it all worked and is out of sight.. who is to know anyway!


You only really have issues if you do something big like put an extension up with new kitchen and wire in a new consumer unit... this needs to be aproved and signed off.... which is a bitch if your electrician bleeps off without doing the paperwork!

Just get on with it..... there is far to much of this pussyfooting about these days.... and besides, homebase/B&Q etc still sell cable, sockets, switches etc....... so someone must be doing some wiring..... :p

[Edited on 18/11/11 by tegwin]

hmm, if you find the start and end points, I reckon replacing the in between parts may be OK.

And don't forget the warning sticker on the consumer unit, that says both red/blacl and brown/blue cabling is used in the house. Don't want anybody getting confused.

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Originally posted by omega 24 v6

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which make the difference between a tidy professional job and a shambles

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How do you explain the professional jobs that are a shambles many with just the faults you have listed DavieP

[Edited on 18/11/11 by omega 24 v6]

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What is part P?

Having seen the wiring in question, I don't think leaving it is actually an option.

Matt

I'm a time served electrician, qualifications galore in electrical work inc degree and because of Part P I theoretically cannot do my own electrical work.


Phill

Best way to save a bit and stay on the legal side is to run in all the new cables and get an electrician to test and terminate for you. This is what I usually do when refitting bathrooms.

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Originally posted by ninja02
I'm a time served electrician, qualifications galore in electrical work inc degree and because of Part P I theoretically cannot do my own electrical work.


Phill

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Originally posted by v8kid

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Originally posted by ninja02
I'm a time served electrician, qualifications galore in electrical work inc degree and because of Part P I theoretically cannot do my own electrical work.


Phill

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Funny same here - I used to run a training school for a large electrical utility company providing the training to part P and guess what - I can't sign off work either.

Crazy system only looks at ticking boxes and takes no account of past experience or knowledge.

Cheers!

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