EICR – Rogue electrician scam?

EICR – Rogue electrician scam?

9:59 AM, 4th December 2020, About 3 years ago 77

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I hired an electrician for an EICR, which he failed and said it needed a new consumer unit to pass EICR, which I agreed, and he completed the job and issued a “satisfactory” EICR.

It only raised my suspicions after I subsequently gave him EICR for two more properties (almost new build), which he failed and said needed new consumer units for both again.

After looking into his three EICR reports with other registered electricians, I found the same reason he used to fail EICR for lack of RCD is not valid (which should be C3 as a recommendation, not C2 as dangerous) and he’s not even a registered electrician to install consumer units.

So now I ended up with a new consumer unit that I never needed in the first place to pass EICR, and two other failed EICR for invalid reasons.

What’s my best action here?
Should I pay him?

Thanks

Mike


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Comments

Beaver

15:36 PM, 7th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by michaelwgroves at 07/12/2020 - 14:42
So you have both a theoretical exam, and a yearly on site practical assessment?

michaelwgroves

16:36 PM, 7th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 07/12/2020 - 15:36
Yes that’s correct.

Beaver

16:39 PM, 7th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by michaelwgroves at 07/12/2020 - 16:36
Well that's good to know. I use the sparks that I normally use partly because my father used to use him, an old friend used to use him, and I know from dealing with him myself that he doesn't lie to me.

Is there a complete list somewhere of the various trade bodies that oversee the revalidation?

michaelwgroves

16:43 PM, 7th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 07/12/2020 - 16:39
Google “competent person scheme” you’ll find a lot more than you think.

Beaver

16:51 PM, 7th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by michaelwgroves at 07/12/2020 - 16:43
I just did. And it's confusing. It's not just *gov.uk that comes up. I did find this though

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised#current-schemes

That gives me a list of 'competent person schemes' and it also tells me "...*The GSR is not technically a competent person scheme, but in practice its installers have the same responsibilities for complying with building regulations."

There used to be a scheme called Corgi that I knew of old. No idea what happened to that.

I like the name of "Certass Limited": I think if I ever needed my ass certified that's where I'd look. 😉 I think maybe you should set up your own certification scheme. Perhaps SPARKY Ltd. 🙂

In the meantime I think the length of this thread gives you an indication of just how confused landlords are by this.

Landlord Phil

10:05 AM, 8th December 2020, About 3 years ago

And not just landlords. It took my spark a while to work out with his insurance company his increased level of liability. Their initial reaction was to hike his premium dramatically. He considered not doing eicr for a while, purely down to the increased liability cost. Thankfully he changed his mind. It's an awful situation for landlords to have to go from no regulation to such a high level in one move. This should have been implemented in a gradual way, starting a long time ago. I have to say though, I'm thankful for it. I had a property fail on poor earth readings at the supplier point. This was just a couple of months after the property had shown acceptable readings, following a small repair. Could have been dangerous, but thanks to eicr, it's not now. I just wish this all or nothing attitude that gov seems to have with landlords would become one of structured implementation. Giving portfolio landlords until April to get the whole lot certified during these uncertain times is a bit harsh. I get the reasoning, but if it was a problem a long time ago, it should have started a long time ago. It's costing me thousands to sort this, and I'm almost begging my spark to fit me in.

Ray Lancaster

10:18 AM, 8th December 2020, About 3 years ago

The main thing is do not let a electrician tell you that they need to upgrade the consumer unit unless you have a second opinion or you know that you want to upgrade etc
The problem is that you book the EHCR and they fail it and tell you that it needs a new consumer unit and they don’t do the job they won’t issue a pass and you have to pay for a further EHCR.

michaelwgroves

10:45 AM, 8th December 2020, About 3 years ago

First and foremost, always use an electrician who is part of a competent scheme, and ask to see his card.
If you ever get an EICR and feel your electrician is trying to upsell, post an anonymised copy of the EICR and photos of the work on an electricians forum. You'll get a lot of free unbiased advice from qualified electricians.

Jaswinder Rayat

8:15 AM, 12th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Hello fellow landlords
I wonder if anyone had an EICR done and the cost of the remedial works quoted was way too high. Can i appoint another qualified electrician to carry out the works and what paperwork/certification will be required to prove that the remedial works have been carried out?
Thanks
Jess

michaelwgroves

8:20 AM, 12th December 2020, About 3 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Jaswinder Rayat at 12/12/2020 - 08:15
Yea, someone else can do remedial work. They would issue either a minor works certificate which you would keep with EICR, or an electrical installation certificate which replaces the EICR.

Unless you have complete faith in your electrician, I’d recommend getting someone else anyway, as this way you get a second opinion.

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