Hi all, I was wondering if you could alleviate my confusion. I have a modest 2 bed Victorian property. I bought the property 2 months ago. Subsequently, I invited a local electrician to carry out a condition report inspection. As soon as he entered, he noticed the fuse box (consumer unit) in the entrance vestibule and remarked that the consumer unit was a 1960s unit. Thus, he suggested that there was no point in carrying out a condition report inspection as it would be a straight ‘fail’ because of the 1960s consumer unit that fails to meet current regulations. As the consumer unit was 1960s, the electrician suggested having not only the consumer unit replace but having the whole property re-wired. When I questioned whether there was a possibility of the wiring being younger than the consumer unit as the wiring may have been updated after the installation of the old consumer unit, the electrician replied that that was highly unlikely as whoever upgraded the wiring would have upgraded the consumer unit. In other words, the electrician was of the firm view that the wiring was just as old as the consumer unit and the whole lot needed replacing as it could expire at any time. When I asked him for a quote, his price was £2,700 for the TRUNCATED installation and £3,200 for the CHASE installation.
I thought a second opinion was necessary so I invited a second electrician. The second electrician was of the firm view that only a condition report inspection determines whether a property needs a full re-wiring or not. Based on his casual inspection of the gas meter, electric meter and other electrical fittings, the second electrician was of the tentative view that although the consumer unit was 1960s, the wiring looked younger and thereby a full re-wiring may not be required. Both electricians are regulated by NICEIC. Which electrician shows credibility? I just don’t know where to go from here in terms of choosing the right electrician. Thanks in advance.
Adam
Are you a tradesperson and able to answer this question?
The second is more credible. Unfortunately EICR's are of variable quality. I would trust the person that is willing to spend a little time explaining and inspecting things for you. ie somebody 'helpfull' and that you like, possibly find an electrician that is recommended. Being a part of the NICEIC ensures that any work you have done is notified, which is good. There are other competent persons schemes though like NAPIT, Stroma or ELECSA. They are all exactly the same. Unfortunately they don't guarantee the integrity of the electrican only a standard of competancy in their skill. It would be sensible to upgrade the consumer unit but not necessarly essential. Have the EICR done by someone you trust and take up its recommendations.
Answered16 December 2020
5
Anonymous user
If you ask an electrician to carry out an EICR, then really he should do so. Without having factual information that would be generated by the EICR he is only giving you an opinion. There is no requirement to have fuse boxes or consumer units updated just because they 'are old'. Improvements in safety do not render older equipment unsafe. Unless there are obvious signs of damage or problems with the fuse board then it is doing its job of protecting against overload and short circuit. 30mA RCD protection is an improvement in safety that would probably be absent from your circuits and would be a positive benefit. If I were you I would continue your enquiries with a couple more electricians until you find someone willing to work with you and give you meaningful advice, instead of just trying to line their own pockets at your expense. You are not forced to rewire and there needs to be a basis for making that decision. Anyone can give an opinion, but facts are what are needed.
Answered14 December 2020
3
Anonymous user
A 1960’s Consumer Unit doesn’t mean the rest of the installation doesn’t need testing. If you go round factories and workshops you find alot of 60’s wiring and consumer units.
Don’t trust that one for sure.
I would agree that only after an EICR has been conducted, then can a valid opinion be given on the state of the entire installation, and if any further re-wiring is necessary. Quite often wiring from such a decade can still be adequate, and it’s is the customers decision as to proceed or not on re-wiring, simply because of the age shouldn’t be a reason to opt for a full re-wire. With regards to the consume unit, again the age is simply not enough to fail the installation, as if it installed to the standards at the time (the wiring regulations are not normally use to grade an installation retrospectively) and has still been maintained to a high degree, it may still indeed be safe and satisfactory, but in general a consumer unit upgrade for something this old is always well recommended so the homeowner/ tenant is at least up to date with current requirement for “additional protection” and especially as to having fire rated equipment (current consumer units are by law now of metal construction). Hope this helps - Nick.
