Hi. A friend of mine who lives in a 30's semi which has been rewired at
some unknown time in the past ie plastic covered cable, 13A ring main etc
is having a loft extension done. The electrical contractor won't connect
the new wiring in to the existing until he has re-wired the entire
house. When asked why, he just says "it's the new wiring regs".

Same electrician, when asked to move the consumer unit to a place under
the stairs says he can't do it because "the new wiring regs" specify a
minimum height from the floor.

Is there an element of truth in either of these assertions or is the
electrician drumming up business for himself?

TIA
Richard

Sounds like he is trying to generate extra work, but we don't now the
quality of the installtion.

Owain wrote:
Incidentall, if the loft conversion is covered with a Building Regs
application, then the wiring can be put on that application and can then
be done by a DIYer in compliance with Part P, without any additional
inspection etc (other than that which is provided by the council
inclusive to the standard fee).

I think this depends on the Council. My local council, Medway will
charge you an additional £175 for any electrical installation approval
on top of their existing building control fees.

http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/envir...feessched3.htm

wrote:
Owain wrote:

Incidentall, if the loft conversion is covered with a Building Regs
application, then the wiring can be put on that application and can then
be done by a DIYer in compliance with Part P, without any additional
inspection etc (other than that which is provided by the council
inclusive to the standard fee).


I think this depends on the Council. My local council, Medway will
charge you an additional £175 for any electrical installation approval
on top of their existing building control fees.

http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/envir...feessched3.htm

So does my council (although I've yet to put in a Part P building notice
myself); notwithstanding a directive from ODPM that they aren't allowed
to do so (a link has been posted here before but I can't find it);
therefore any additional fees *should* be challengeable.

David

Lobster wrote:


So does my council (although I've yet to put in a Part P building notice
myself); notwithstanding a directive from ODPM.

If this does not exist anymore (ODPM), where does it put the crapy rules
that it poured out :-)

Dave

Just asking ;-)

Lobster wrote:
wrote:
Owain wrote:

Incidentall, if the loft conversion is covered with a Building Regs
application, then the wiring can be put on that application and can then
be done by a DIYer in compliance with Part P, without any additional
inspection etc (other than that which is provided by the council
inclusive to the standard fee).


I think this depends on the Council. My local council, Medway will
charge you an additional £175 for any electrical installation approval
on top of their existing building control fees.

http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/envir...feessched3.htm

So does my council (although I've yet to put in a Part P building notice
myself); notwithstanding a directive from ODPM that they aren't allowed
to do so (a link has been posted here before but I can't find it);
therefore any additional fees *should* be challengeable.


This is at the moment a grey area on which more info is sought & more
investigatioon is needed. Part P ed 2 (April 2006) makes it clear that
councils cannot seek additional fees *after* the initial building regs
notice or plans are lodged/accepted. But what is the position if the
council, as Medway, wants the £175 up front? Nor is it clear whether
councils can charge differing amounts for different sections of the B
Regs.

Since ?1999 when fee setting was 'devolved' to councils there hasn't
been an official scale published by govt. How these fees are set seems
to be a murky job done behind closed doors of local govt associations,
just like any good cartel. Anyone out there able to lift the curtain?