Following on from solid.

About a year ago I priced a new kitchen install at c18k for a good long term client, too expensive I was told - story of my life!

Some other firm priced it at 14k including all appliances and on interest free credit for 3 years, they got the job.

They used an NIC electrician very loosely used term there, over the past 6 months I have been back to see the clients a few times - very disappointed people, workmanship is crap - of course I cant say that and don't really need too.

So far I have put new under cupboard lights sealed up some large holes through the wall because they had run the new T&E cables outside, and adjusted the extractor to work.

A few images - I'm sure I'm too picky.
1
2
3
4
5
6

You get the idea Increment the numbers if you want to see after!


A few days ago I was asked to look at one of the lights as it was dead, looked, it was dead click downlight again very poorly installed.

I suggested that they replace all 6 with the Aurora LED and I fitted them today on closer inspection the cables have been notched over the floor joists, essentially in the plasterboard, not even drawing-pin depth I know we have to drill at 50mm through joists, I am just wondering if this is some clever/stupid way around the regs or just more crap as I suspect.

They are still chasing him for the EIC doesn't seem to care, I think he has until Friday until they contact the NIC, they are well aware they cant complain about the work because I have worked on it - which is ridiculous really as the ceiling lights had already caused extensive thermal damage to the jb's & wires.

Should they have waited until the house burnt down?

Bloody short course Di's under qualified crap - not generalising though

/Rant

-------------------------
Regards

Martyn.

Only a mediocre person is always at their best



www.electrical contractors uk.com

Better to get that rant off your chest..!




It is rough, and very exceptional that i would do this (once only i think - and even then one joist only). Sad for the homeowner but it sounds as though they can afford it.
I'm currently considering running cat6s & 5s in notched joists but would prefer to drill.

Are the white carcases a design feature?

Andy

No point running Cat 6 unless its on containment, the best you could hope for would be a good cat 5 system which you will get from cat 5.

Installing network cables well is a rare skill, people assume you can lash them in because that is what is often seen, if you were to use something like the Fluke DTX-1800 Network Tester on good and badly installed cables you will see a drastic difference in signal quality, however, it still seems that the most common error is wiring the cores to the wrong pins, neither 568A or B.

-------------------------
Regards

Martyn.

Only a mediocre person is always at their best



www.electrical contractors uk.com

Not one I would choose

-------------------------
Regards

Martyn.

Only a mediocre person is always at their best



www.electrical contractors uk.com

Plumbers notch joists to lay pipework in, is this the same technique, if so there are distances and distances frommwall to stick to, but seen it plenty on rewires.

Not really, the joist's have not been notched, the plasterboard has.

It is rare that notches and holes are cut to meet BR, but you are right, Plumbers have to notch for rigid metallic pipes, it wont be long before notching is prohibited.

In all the local new builds notching would be catastrophic, the use of timber "I Beams" prohibits it, they are all plumbed in polypipe/JG.

-------------------------
Regards

Martyn.

Only a mediocre person is always at their best



www.electrical contractors uk.com

I did some work for a customer who'd just bought a very nice house in the sticks.

It had be previously owned and modernised by a bloke who runs an electrical firm.

I wonder what his paying work looks like because his kitchen was a disgrace. Pushfit connection blocks all over the show under and over cupboards without enclosures. Cables run outside safe zones just behind the wall tiles. Birds nest of cables at JB's that was un accessible in ceiling voids.

The customer just took it on the chin.

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"I learned very early the difference between knowing
the name of something and knowing something". - Richard P. Feynman

In my house I noticed some old cables were run in notched joist which were once used for pipes (presumably) does the on-site recognise this as okay as long as additional protection is installed like a metal capping over the notch?

I put a couple of metal conduit lids drilled down to make a bad situation...well, less bad.

Mr other mechanical protection is now tricky with the advent of paslode nail guns etc
Google safe plates for a more robust version of a box lid.

Well that is a sterling job i would be proud of that NOTTTT!! I love customers who use you for everything you bust a gut for them and maybe price slightly more because you are worth it and you cant always jump straight on their jobs because your busy!
And then they ask you for a price and your too expensive and they use someone else because they can start next day or do it for £1000 less!! I have had this happen a few times with clients and hey they always come back for repairs or CERTS!!!
Pay for what you get! At least you have some nice work to do repairing all that mess!! I mean come on trunking is a basic right!!
I can see lots of things not meeting the regs with that work, maybe you should publish a book of how not to! with all those images!!

I take it youre referring to there being no foil sheath?
I have it touching t+e as it crosses over - I thought that was ok.

My guess was Martyn was referring to maintaining the wide bend radius, non-crushing etc required for cat 6 - which might be difficult, although I suspect not impossible, if TP cables are just dragged through the building structure.
- Andy.