Installing Soffit Downlights. But...

[ACDC electrics]

Quoted a job to install soffit lights today however got in the loft to snoop round and there are concrete slabs in there that look like they go to the end! When doing the lights will this be a problem will I have to drill through it or do the slabs sit away from the soffit. Cheers

 

[ProDave]

You can never tell until you try.  Some older houses they built the brick walls up in between the trusses and access for cables is nigh on impossible.

 

[ACDC electrics]

So what should my plan of action be?

 

[ProDave]

Well what you do NOT want to do is offer that job on a fixed price.

Explain the potential problems, tell them your hourly rate and give an estimate for the cost if it goes well. Prepare them for the possibility the job might take longer.

When you start the job, BEFORE you go cutting holes in the soffits, establish that you can get a cable from the loft down into the soffit area. If you spend an hour trying and fail, it might be time to just tell the customer the job is impossible.

 

[ACDC electrics]

****... Ok I've gone and done a fixed price I'll go back to him and explain the situation. Thanks for your help much appreciated

 

[M107]

On the older properties If there isnt any felt you could push a couple of rows or tiles back and get access that way.

Another thing to watch out for on older builds are asbestos based soffit boards.

 

[binky]

I would be inclined to drill a discreet small hole in soffit and see if there is any space behind it to get fitting in and fish cables.

 

[Evans Electric]

When you say ....concrete ..... there are some properties I know of  where the rainwater guttering is actually a concrete trough  built into the house .

I trust its not one of those as it can't be repaired as far as I know.

 

[binky]

loads of those on an estate near where I live, many peole take them off completely, but they can be repaired either with a waterproof paint type stuff, or lined with modern materials (bit expensive though)

 

[M107]

The concrete gutter system or finlock gutters.