Forum Topic

Can anyone recommend a qualified electrician?

I need someone who will go to Kilburn for me and sort out a duff couple of lights and then certify the property is OK.An ordinary handyman won't doAny ideas?

Sara Nathan ● 5951d13 Comments

I've just used My Electrician (highly recommended on the Directory) for a small job: quick and competent.8747 3647

Lorna Dodd ● 5951d

Tim Greg (local) has a recent advert on the CCA notice board at Acton Central station.See www.theelectricalpractice.co.uk

Ian M Green ● 5951d

My electrician - Richard - booked for Monday afternoon.Thanks guys

Sara Nathan ● 5949d

Oops.verdict is that a total rewire is required - at the cost of £3,000 plus £600 for materials plus VAT.This seems a lot of money for a flat - even a good sized one - purpose-built in the mid sixties.But I have no experience... is this reasonable?

Sara Nathan ● 5947d

I don't know but... ouch. You could get another opinion/quote?

Jill Osborne ● 5947d

You could always get a second opinion and quote.We have used Steve Rivers recently, part P registered, on 07950548123 and found him very good as well as cost effective. Although, I am friends with his father so that may have a bearing, but, he has always been a good lad.When I say lad, please take into account that I am middle aged'ish.

Bosko Novakovic ● 5947d

It is certainly reasonable that 40-year-old wiring might need replacing.  The site www.whatprice.co.uk quotes a range of £2200 to £4000 for rewiring a 2-bed flat.  It would be prudent to get a second quote, I guess, but I understand that My Electrician have a good reputation for fair pricing.

Richard Jennings ● 5947d

Yes, Naomi's ex boyfriend is qualified electrician. He's staying with us at the moment - only prob is he is quite busy. Call, and I'll give you his details.

Sarah Hamilton-Fairley ● 5947d

I'm not an expert, but would have thought that the building construction would affect the price. For example, wires in metal conduit should be straightforward to pull through and replace, without needing to take the flat apart.As the main cost is labour, definitely get a second opinion.

Ian M Green ● 5945d

I am told they are all likely to be in metal conduits...which should make it cheaper than the quote - I live in hope!

Sara Nathan ● 5945d

Hi, Sara, I'm an NICEIC registered electrician. I'm not pitching for the work, just offering advice. You can find a NICEIC electrician on their website by postcode. There are other registration schemes, e.g. ECA, but you must use someone who is Part 'P' qualified (Domestic Installer) which means they can carry out the work, test & certify and log the job with building control. You also get insurance-backed warranty. No reflection at all on anyone else but I have lost count of the times customers discover that their 'qualified' electrician isn't and the certificate never turns up, e.g. "you wanted to pay cash so I didn't think you needed one"! For £3-4K I would be looking at a 2-3 bed house, but then I haven't seen the job. Unmodified conduit systems are usually strightforward to re-wire; problems generally occur where alterations and additions have been carried out/botched. Why does it need rewiring? (I'm not saying it doesn't given the age). If you are upgrading the fuseboard then all circuits must be in good condition before they are re-connected. Earthing and bonding will probably not meet current standards. Certainly, if you are starting to get problems and the flat is tenanted then bite the bullet and get 10 years' peace of mind.

Len Worrall ● 5944d

Thanks so much...I think these guys are qualified - they have 32 positive comments on Chiswick W4 where praise is rare!And I am paying VAT not cash.It's a four bedroom flat built in the 60s and largely untouched as to electrics since then I think... and we are getting problems as three lights have failed and it's not the bulbs.So I suspect it's all legit - it was just a bit of a shock (!!) but have come to terms with it now.

Sara Nathan ● 5944d

Sounds good! The good Burgers of Chiswick can, indeed, be hard to please! Yes, a 4-bed flat is a larger proposition so price sounds about right.

Len Worrall ● 5944d