House rewire (UK)--building regulations?

Question

Can i still do a full rewire to my own house if :-

I contact the building control office and inform them before work begins?

Can i rewire any room in the house inc bathroom/kitchen assuming the b/control with have the final say on the work complying with regulations.

(with the cost of a profestional re-wire standing at £2-3,000 to me this is a fortune considering material costs being only say £4-500 pounds)

I am a keen diy person who would work to or exceed the standard of a trained person to run cables/sockets etc taking time and care for quality.

Lastly safety is vital so building control passing the work A1 goes without saying.

So can i do the work myself on a labour cost saving basis?

When i say i could exceed what a trained person will do i mean that as time is not money to me i could raise more floor boards or cut more holes in the walls (plaster board) to conceil a run of wire etc.

People who know their "stuff" have a history of experience.

Answer 1

The installation, does not have to be done by a fully qualified sparkie. You just have to be competent.
You'll need an on site guide, and the sixteenth edition.
you'll need a sixteenth edition tester for taking earth fault, RCD tripping, insulation resistance and continuity. And the knowledge of how to interpret these. Cable runs through joists and walls sizes and lengths of cables.

There is a lot more involved than informing the council prior, and after. but if you are confident. GOOD LUCK!

If you get it wrong it could cost a lot more.
I still advise, professional help.

Answer 2

Rewiring A House Regulations

Answer 3

You have to comply with Part P regulations, not be a qualified sparky - its still not as tight as Gas where you have t be corgi registrered.

So, if you can follow the regs and Part P requirements you can re-wire ( this must include the calculations, drawings and risk assessment sections )

I would recommend talking to your building control because it varies - many councils don't know how to handle Part P yet and thier solution is to insist on qualified sparkies doing the work ( becuase the council haven't got a clue and so don't know "how" to inspect to part p )

At least you're asking the right questions, so why not give the council a call today, or pop down to see them during thier open surgeries ( normally one day a week or something ) ?

Its a bit strange that you say you will exceed the standard of a trained person....bit of a sweeping statement, i guess you are trying to sy you're not a bodger, and not saying that ALL tradesman are worse than yourself.

On building notice you'd still have an inspection fee to pay to the council

Answer 4

UK?? Where in UK? In Scotland we don't have a part P, Electrical work has always been legally required to comply with Building regs./ BS 6761. So you can do anything you want as long as you comply with this which is in essence the IEE regulations.

I don't agree that that 'as a keen DIY'er you will exceed the standard of a trained electrician', I have been self employed for 44 years and think I have a tad more experience than you, I've seen far too many 'good diy' jobs!

Answer 5

a builder isn't going to help you. Your solicitor should be talking to the vendor about whether proper planning permission was obtained to put on the verandah and whether the structure has Buildings Regulation approval. If this is not so then the vendor is responsible for making good the structure, removing it or putting the loft conversion back to its original state. Just hand the whole matter over to your solicitor it is what you are paying him for. BUT at the end of the day there may not be a solution that is amenable to both sides and your should be prepared to walk away. Under no circumstances agree to sign a contract until this is resolved.

Answer 6

There are so many laws passed, we now have a constant smell of poo from where are heads are.
This law, dosent sit well on top of previous laws, such as policemen needing warrants, and privacy.
Its your house, do the work, as no one can prove you did it, not a previous occupant.
This law requires a survey and census of every dwelling in the uk, to make it work. Prove You did the work!!
That said, any contact, by doing the right thing, and getting a building regs guy from the council to check it, will result in a self admission, and brownie points for thier department, on your "conviction".
You may find a friendly electrician to verbally approve your work, on casual inspection, and description, for a gentlemanly fee, but thats about it. Remember this when voting.
So my overall advise? if you have read up thoroughly, are adept, reasonable at diy, Can find a friendly electricain.....go ahead and save money, the same as we always have.
If not, get a pro.....there is no half honesty with the council or building regs people!
"legally" to do the work yourself and have it checked no longer exists. (you may reach agreement with a mor "fuddy", legit electricain, to cut out, lay wire, purchase hardware, and have available, though would want to make, and charge for all connections.)

Answer 7

Yes, my husband is at the minute, he consulted an electrician & as long as you are a 'competant person' capable of doing the work & get a periodic inspection report done before & after then it should be fine :o) Hope this helps.

Answer 8

IEEE Sixteenth Edition

Answer 9

No , You have to be a Fully Qualified Electrician

Answer 10

Pretty sure that to do a full re-wire, you have to be a qualified electrician.