Another dodgy bob the builder

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M107

Billy-the-Kid
Joined
Feb 18, 2008
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Location
Berkshire
Been out to 2nd fix a loft conversion & the **** of a builder had;

plastered over 2x ringfinal backboxes.

hadnt pulled 2x ringfinal tails through platerboard on stud wall.

boxed in the in-line fan no access (on plans to have access hatch).

celotexed/plasterboarded over lighting tals for 12x down lights.

plastered landing ceiling without removing downlights (they are now true recessed in fact so flush it's unbelivable)

On top of that & a shed load of other non electrical problems, he's told the home owners he has run out of money so cant complete the build........they paid the whole 12K upfront.

Just glad I said no to working for him & prefferred to work directly for the home owner.

 
Oh dear...

Sounds like the 2nd fix I've got coming up in a few weeks, in particular the downlights (Kitchen & Bathroom in my case..).

Not a dodgy builder, but... :(

 
I went to a fault yesterday...

dormer-bungalow.. owner is an elderly widow..

reported problem, recent months the lights keep tripping off...

the last time she couldn't reset them so left lights off & using table lamps!!

She said they were on around 4-5hrs then tripped off!? ?:|

Got to site.. crabtree Starbreaker installed early 90's..

lights on 10amp typeB MCB...

switched on.. appeared to stay on .. no immediate trip.. isolated cables did a few tests..

bit of a low Ins res between Phase & earth???

N-E >60MEG

L-E <2MEG!

had a look around.. several metal light fittings

One wall light had a twisty lamp holder.. loose when put bulb in..

checked fitting, wire a bit loose so re-terminated all secure!

A ceiling light, which some other guy, (decorator or someone) said was a bit dodgy..

checked it out found terminations were just twisted & wrapped in PVC tape.

Re terminated correctly..

I am thinking maybe one of both of these are the problem..

but not really sure why would trip if lights not disturbed..

Rechecked my readings still low L-E????? ?:| ? :|

Continued my investigations.

in kitchen found double gang switch.. but only kitchen light off one side..

Asked about the other switch..

was told that it was old outside light... disconnected by "BUILDER" when car-port installed.

had a look outside... and found this

(mobile phone picture, wire hanging from fascia board,, car port woodwork to bottom right)

Wire just cut... Not even taped up.. or diss'd at light switch! :| :( X(

So when switch in kitchen left on... 230v to exposed bare cable cut.. :eek: :_|

when rains cable end gets damp.. :|

leave it on for a bit.. fizz bang trip!!!!!!!!!!!! :eek: :)

You could see the wires arcing & sparking with power on. :_| :_|

& see & smell burning on PVC sheath!!!!!!! :eek:

Causing 10amp MCB to trip Intermittently!!!!!

leaving elderly widow in house with no lights!X(X( X(

Why do builders do things like that! X( X( :(

 
Wish someone`d give ME 12 grand for a loft conv. And as for your happy builder, SL, he wants his head examined :( :(

Don`t you just hate it when........ (strange sense of "deja vu" there!)

 
i think you have to be a bit of a muppet to pay someone up front that much

 
i think you have to be a bit of a muppet to pay someone up front that much
Mrs. KME & I are both in 100% agreeance mate. In fact, you`d have to be a bit more than muppetised - more of a complete utter and total....................................................................

(we interrupt this post, to warn you that, as swearing is verboten on the forum, there will now follow a verbal swear, provided personally, after which the post will resume)

. I really fail to understand the:

a) builder asking for it ALL up front.

B) customer doing it.

The builder isn`t a part-time hypnotist by any chance m8?

 
Can I borrow it when you`ve done?I can feel the money rolling in as I type;) :^O ] :) :^O :^O:^O:^O:^O
You're more than welcome. It's heavy going mind. I'm 45 pages in out of 600...............

That's taken me 4 months

I'm not a slow reader, just never find the time.

:^O

 
You're more than welcome. It's heavy going mind. I'm 45 pages in out of 600...............That's taken me 4 months

I'm not a slow reader, just never find the time. :^O
Well get off your ruddy computer...

pick the book upand go and read 50 pages before you go to bed!!!

:D :^O:^O:^O:^O:x

 
He can`t mate....................

"he is feeling sleepy. His eyelids are getting sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired and heavy.

As soon as he has pressed the button to donate

 
He can`t mate...................."he is feeling sleepy. His eyelids are getting sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo tired and heavy.

As soon as he has pressed the button to donate
 
I get the urge to flap my arms and cluck................
Good. It works then. Now tuck your head under your shoulder, and you`ll fall into a deep restful sleep. You`ll have one heck of a pain in your neck when you wake up, but that`s the price you gotta pay. ]:)

 
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