Handymen (electrical cowboys)

[ajay]

I recently posted this to my local trading standards agency.

is what i said right? been out the game a little bit so not sure.

but gotta get those cowboys off the scene, eh?

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I recently received an advert through the door advertising handyman services from ************************.

The problem is they say they can do replacing lights/skts/wall switches/extractor fans.

NOBODY can do any paid electrical work on someones house unless you are part-p registered (and the pre-requisites for that are; fully qualified + cg 2381 + cg 2391 test and inspection). The law* is explicity laid down in BS 7671.

If you do not take action because you believe I am wrong please let me know, i would be very interested.

* BS7671 is not statutory legislation, but is used in a court of law in prosecution matters.

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i know the BS bit is a bit corny but i thought it added a bit of weight!

thanks

 

[Andy™]

Your wrong. maybe you should read up a bit more first before making complaints.

Anyone can do any electrical work in a house whether registered or not. If they are reg'd, they can self cert and necessary work. if there not, they need to notify LABC in advance (if work needs notified).

Replacing like for like in any location, and installing socket/lights in area's other than special locations (and a few others) do not require notification, and so can be done by anyone. although certain work will require a minor works cert, and so they should be qualified to do this

BS7671 is not law. part P is though, and a good way to achieve this is by following 7671

 

[D Brennan]

I would of said he is not too wrong, although you say anyone can do electrical work on a house as long as they inform labc, if your not a qualified electrician when labc come out to look at the job they will not allow, and if your not qualified you would have no idea on how to fill out a eic.

So realy you cannot do work unless a qualified spark or registered with a scheme.

Only like for like can realy be done and a few other non notifible jobs but it doesnt leave much

 

[Andy™]

I would of said he is not too wrong, although you say anyone can do electrical work on a house as long as they inform labc, if your not a qualified electrician when labc come out to look at the job they will not allow, and if your not qualified you would have no idea on how to fill out a eic.So realy you cannot do work unless a qualified spark or registered with a scheme.

Only like for like can realy be done and a few other non notifible jobs but it doesnt leave much

unfortunatly, anyone can do work. if they notify LABC and they find that it doesnt comply, then they will refuse to accept it until its done to correct standard.

LABC are expected to I&T the installation, but in my view, unless the person doing the work has provided a cert, then they have not done the work to 7671 so LABC should not approve it until then.

Just another example of what this government (isnt) capable of

 

[D Brennan]

unfortunatly, anyone can do work. if they notify LABC and they find that it doesnt comply, then they will refuse to accept it until its done to correct standard. LABC are expected to I&T the installation, but in my view, unless the person doing the work has provided a cert, then they have not done the work to 7671 so LABC should not approve it until then.

Just another example of what this government (isnt) capable of

I have never heard of labc i&t the job, when i have used them in the past they have made it clear that unless a qualified spark they will not allow the work to be done and insisted that i issued the cert.

 

[Apache]

The problem is they say they can do replacing lights/skts/wall switches/extractor fans.

They can replace like for like all they want. AFAIK all this means is a DSO is still a DSO could be changed for a prittier one etc.

Also extending existing circuits outside a SL is ok - so extra sockets, spur for an extractor fan, loft light all perfectly legal and above board

Not sure I'd want them working in my house tho!

 

[Jono Pashley]

I would of said he is not too wrong, although you say anyone can do electrical work on a house as long as they inform labc, if your not a qualified electrician when labc come out to look at the job they will not allow, and if your not qualified you would have no idea on how to fill out a eic.So realy you cannot do work unless a qualified spark or registered with a scheme.

Only like for like can realy be done and a few other non notifible jobs but it doesnt leave much

Theres actually plenty of jobs that can be done without notification. If someone has the necessary skills to do the job, the shouldnt be impeded by scaremongering and regulation throwing by people who dont under stand them to begin with. I operate my own handyman service to supplement my income. I carry out minor electrical works all of which gets certificated, many may not have the test equipment and knowledge to do this i still resent being called a cowboy.

as a further note all you need to be registered with a scam is 17th edition.

 

[Andy™]

I have never heard of labc i&t the job, when i have used them in the past they have made it clear that unless a qualified spark they will not allow the work to be done and insisted that i issued the cert.

part p states that LABC are to do the testing, or appoint someone on their behalf, but they cannot charge the homeowner for this, the fee for testing must come from what homeowner has paint in BC fee's. Although many are not in a position to I&T themselves, so falsely tell people they must issue certs, pay extra for the testing, or get someone who can self cert to do the work.

it was also in a LABC circular that they are responsible for testing costs if subbed out. in some cases, this could cost more than the actual fee charged to homeowner, so no surprise why there not keen on it

 

[D Brennan]

Theres actually plenty of jobs that can be done without notification. If someone has the necessary skills to do the job, the shouldnt be impeded by scaremongering and regulation throwing by people who dont under stand them to begin with. I operate my own handyman service to supplement my income. I carry out minor electrical works all of which gets certificated, many may not have the test equipment and knowledge to do this i still resent being called a cowboy.as a further note all you need to be registered with a scam is 17th edition.

show me which scam ONLY wants 17 edition

 

[Apache]

I have never heard of labc i&t the job, when i have used them in the past they have made it clear that unless a qualified spark they will not allow the work to be done and insisted that i issued the cert.

AFAIK it is usual to send out a spark working on behalf of the BCO to do the I&T. They can't stop the work been done if the correct poaperwork is filed.

 

[Andy™]

show me which scam ONLY wants 17 edition

Elecsa.

from their site

IEE Wiring Regulations

You must be able to demonstrate a full grasp of the current (17th Edition) IEE Wiring Regulations. The recognised qualification for this is the City & Guilds 2381, although it should be noted that there are equivalent qualifications and at ELECSA

 

[D Brennan]

part p states that LABC are to do the testing, or appoint someone on their behalf, but they cannot charge the homeowner for this, the fee for testing must come from what homeowner has paint in BC fee's. Although many are not in a position to I&T themselves, so falsely tell people they must issue certs, pay extra for the testing, or get someone who can self cert to do the work. it was also in a LABC circular that they are responsible for testing costs if subbed out. in some cases, this could cost more than the actual fee charged to homeowner, so no surprise why there not keen on it

I think labc are all diff or have no idea in different areas. I no the electrician who comes to inspect in the area i live he works for the council, he will not allow anyone to go via labc unless qualified..

having said that, if they are ment to i&t the job prob would not comply anyway if done by a handyman

 

[D Brennan]

AFAIK it is usual to send out a spark working on behalf of the BCO to do the I&T. They can't stop the work been done if the correct poaperwork is filed.

whats AFAIK mean

 

[Andy™]

I think labc are all diff or have no idea in different areas. I no the electrician who comes to inspect in the area i live he works for the council, he will not allow anyone to go via labc unless qualified.. having said that, if they are ment to i&t the job prob would not comply anyway if done by a handyman

part p is a complete failure. Did anyone really expect it to work and not be able to see how its a money making scheme?!

Never got involved with LABC round here, never had the need to. but i have had some phone calls from people asking me to issue certs because council wont I&T, and that they have done all work properly. usual reply is 'if it was done properly, you should have issued certs after fully testing the installation'

 

[Andy™]

whats AFAIK mean

AFAIK, it means 'as far as i know'

 

[Jono Pashley]

show me which scam ONLY wants 17 edition

17th and a EAL qualification and almost any scam will give you limited scope. and lets face it a trained chimp could get those.

 

[D Brennan]

part p is a complete failure. Did anyone really expect it to work and not be able to see how its a money making scheme?!Never got involved with LABC round here, never had the need to. but i have had some phone calls from people asking me to issue certs because council wont I&T, and that they have done all work properly. usual reply is 'if it was done properly, you should have issued certs after fully testing the installation'

agreed, your right it is a joke, i do think it works as well though, no1 will give you a chance to even do the work unless registered around here.

although there are plenty of handymen doing dangerous work everywere.

i think it should be made so unless qualified and registered you cannot do any electrical work on domestic like it is with gas

 

[D Brennan]

17th and a EAL qualification and almost any scam will give you limited scope. and lets face it a trained chimp could get those.

yes limited scope....which scope have you got??

 

[Apache]

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADP_2006.pdf

Part P Docc - bottom of page 11 (page 12 in browser)

 

[Andy™]

agreed, your right it is a joke, i do think it works as well though, no1 will give you a chance to even do the work unless registered around here.although there are plenty of handymen doing dangerous work everywere.

i think it should be made so unless qualified and registered you cannot do any electrical work on domestic like it is with gas

Shame most people still dont know about it. been a few radio ads lately about the Corgi changeover. still nothing like this for electrical warning to use part P sparks. if there was, then more people would start asking. so far ive only been asked a few times if i am reg'd, and that has only been for larger jobs (re-wire, DB change etc). add sockets etc in kitchens and other notifiable works and most customer dont have a clue that it need to be notified to anyone