Adding a piece on during a rewire

[Charltonchambers]

We're part way through a full rewire and the vast majority of cabling is now in. We had asked for the sockets to be at new regulation height but for whatever reason we came home to find them all at skirting level. No big deal we thought and left them to it. However 2 bedroom sockets have been "chopped in" (believe is the phrase) just above the skirting and we specifically asked for them to be put above the bedside drawers (say about 1m higher). We can't be moving furniture to plug phone chargers in etc. Unfortunately the cables have been cut at the low level and we said we do need this rectifying. The contractor said he will add a piece on and document it on the Part P. Is this ok to do or could it cause us problems in the future? It will be plastered into the wall.

i think if I'm paying for a rewire it should all be done properly, but perhaps I am overreacting?

 

[Andy™]

cables can be extended, but you should tell them to put in new cables in the correct place that was asked for

 

[ProDave]

A maintenance free junction box under the floor would do to extend them and a new bit of cable up the wall. Don't accept a joint plastered in.
 

 

[Andy™]

or tell them to add an extra socket higher up FOC and leave the lower down one in place

 

[Murdoch]

Out of interest how did you communicate your request for the "new" heights?

Andy's suggestion above is probably the best way forward....

 

[Evans Electric]

If you are having a complete rewire and it was discussed with the contractor that  "New heights"  were to be worked to  ...then "New heights " it should be .

Who wants sockets down on top of skirting boards?  

I'm wondering if the contractor has put a couple of subbies in to carry out the work and not briefed them properly .  

By shoving sockets down onto the skirtings is a way of avoiding any plastering up & making good.  

Extending cables is OK when necessary but on new work it shouldn't be happening really. 

Extending those cables is nothing to do with Part P  , which is a building regulation that ensures the work is carried out by a competent person .

The work should be carried out to BS 7671.  

Your bedside sockets at the wrong height  is  a "**** up".   

 

[kerching]

As @Evans Electric said above.....Fricking all to do with Part P........would be interested to see how he is going to "document it on the Part P"

sounds to me, and others, that they have Vaz'd it up and it should be put right at their cost.    As long as you can prove what the original height request was

just saying

 

[Doc Hudson]

Out of interest was the original agreement written or verbal? Also for the record on a rewire there is no such thing as regulation height. BS7671, Wiring regulations, only state that sockets should be sufficiently high so as to not mechanically damage the plug or socket in normal use. i.e. not too low above floors or worktops. (Reg 553.1.6). Part P building regulations also has no relevance to socket heights, but Part M building regulations does offer guidance for new buildings or extensions in relation to access for people in wheelchairs or restricted movement. It is not uncommon on rewires for customer to expect accessories to be retained in their existing positions and heights so as to minimise the redecorating and patching needed once electrical work is complete. So the key issue with this problem is what as originally agreed and were both parties clear about the requirements before the work commenced.

Doc H.

 

[Evans Electric]

In retrospect  a couple of notes stuck to the wall as a reminder  where you wanted  the sockets would have been a sensible move  TBH 

 

[Murdoch]

Hopefully the OP will be back with some feedback soon

 

[Tony S]

He's asking elsewhere

 

[Murdoch]

He's asking elsewhere

And getting very similar answers from what I have seen!

 

[Sharpend]

He's asking elsewhere

I've never understood why people often fail to seek three quotes prior to a job but will seek out more than one forum in which to ask questions about te quality/standard of the job done???

 

[Charltonchambers]

Thank you for all the comments. The agreement has all been verbal unfortunately - something I shall not do again, lesson learned. 

The contractor mentioned new properties require the sockets at new higher level but the rewire didn't require it. I said I would like to go with new height anyway but with hindsight suspect he wasn't listening. I perhaps should have noticed that the cables that were going in were not long enough but it is what it is now and I accept that. What I can't accept is inaccessible sockets behind the beside drawers. In my mind that is a blatant failing on the part of the contractor. It is clear to see the existing sockets are above the bedside drawers, there would be no reason to drop them lower - I had actually requested them a little higher if anything as I find the current ones a fraction low.

I think Andy's suggestion of duplicating the sockets is a good idea. Thank you!

 

[Charltonchambers]

He's asking elsewhere

And getting very similar answers from what I have seen!

I've never understood why people often fail to seek three quotes prior to a job but will seek out more than one forum in which to ask questions about te quality/standard of the job done???

I posted on the other forum before I found this one which appeared to be more active, so posted here second. I think the best suggestion of resolution came from this forum too. 

 

[Sharpend]

I posted on the other forum before I found this one which appeared to be more active, so posted here second. I think the best suggestion of resolution came from this forum too. 

Well it's clear then, you should always visit the friendliest place firs!

 

[binky]

your contractor sounds like a muppet, a complete re-wire is treated the same as a new build and has been for many years. It may be worth checking out who he is registered with and making a formal complaint

 

[Charltonchambers]

your contractor sounds like a muppet, a complete re-wire is treated the same as a new build and has been for many years. It may be worth checking out who he is registered with and making a formal complaint

Gosh that sounds serious. Is it such a serious matter? (Genuine question by the way, I know nothing about electrics)

 

[Murdoch]

your contractor sounds like a muppet, a complete re-wire is treated the same as a new build and has been for many years. It may be worth checking out who he is registered with and making a formal complaint

Not sure I agree with a rewire being treated as a new build. A Victorian house would look a bit out with 2015 part m heights.

 

[Doc Hudson]

Not sure I agree with a rewire being treated as a new build. A Victorian house would look a bit out with 2015 part m heights.

To my understanding Part M is access to and the use of buildings, primarily relating to wheelchair access, ramps, doorways, access to services etc. As such I would agree with Murdoch that when doing a rewire there is no direct requirement to change any socket heights, as there is also no requirement to make doorways wider, construct ramps to front doors, or fit downstairs toilets big enough for a wheelchair to turn around in etc.

Doc H.