Electrical Minor works certificate

[PXW]

Wonder if any of our tradespeople can help? PXW Junior and his wife have a small house in east London (so, expensive for any work to be done) and need an electrical circuit extending. They’ve got some quotes but have come back to me with a coupon of questions:

1. The electrician wants an extra £50 to issue a minor works certificate. I thought this was mandatory, in which case I don’t understand how it can be a chargeable extra.

2. The work will probably take about half a day but the electrician is quoting for a full day.

They’ve pushed back a bit, but I wondered whether anyone here had any relevant expertise they could share - firstly, re the current trade practise on these two issues, and secondly the legality of the first?

TIA

 

[Fununcle]

No post

 

[MCFastybloke]

one of the sparks i use itemises the cert with a separate amount, it doesnt matter really the gross figure cert included is the cost.

 

[BigJase88]

Small jobs don't make money so he's probably priced himself out of it to save his time.

Or if you want to pay a full day then quids in. In the making money game at the end of the day.

Alternatively if the price does not suit then get some more quotes

To be honest it is hard to do anything in half a day [4 hours] i would assume the tradesperson has already been to look at the job.

Take into account time to get stuff from wholesalers / looking at the job / prepping quote / doing job / testing and filling our NICEIC form then invoicing and accounts / travel theres not much room to make anything.

 

[mattc]

Wonder if any of our tradespeople can help? PXW Junior and his wife have a small house in east London (so, expensive for any work to be done) and need an electrical circuit extending. They’ve got some quotes but have come back to me with a coupon of questions:

1. The electrician wants an extra £50 to issue a minor works certificate. I thought this was mandatory, in which case I don’t understand how it can be a chargeable extra.

2. The work will probably take about half a day but the electrician is quoting for a full day.

They’ve pushed back a bit, but I wondered whether anyone here had any relevant expertise they could share - firstly, re the current trade practise on these two issues, and secondly the legality of the first?

TIA

1. Yes, the work is notifiable. Perhaps it's a way of saying "it's £x for a cash job and £y for a fully legit job."? For the sake of their home insurance they really need the cert..... Just in case of the worst... But you're aware of that anyway I'm sure.

2. Half a day jobs are a pain in the derrière for reasons outlined by BigJase88.

Not sure if any of that helps you but that's the way I read your scenario.

 

[PXW]

Thanks all - I’d already steered them on the “half day job” point - and that there was more to it than the time spent at their house. The certificate does bother me though - he isn’t just itemising it, which would make some sort of sense, but he’s effectively making it optional, which it shouldn’t be.

 

[m80]

but he’s effectively making it optional, which it shouldn’t be.

The only time it may be needed is for a solicitor come sale time, so why not?

I've sold 3 properties lately, not once was the Electrical Condition Report requested. Being ex rentals they had them.

 

[Piff]

Just spoken to a sparky on the small extension I'm currently doing. He's wanting to upgrade the distribution board he fitted about 6 years ago to a metal box & talks about surge protection on the mcbs. He is my customers preferred sparky & it sounds like he is going to cost them several £££'s

 

[Smart320]

Just away for a couple of days , just had electrician in to put in a new Consumer Unit as the old one was not really fit for purpose . He was still at work as we left , no idea what it will cost, all I know is he will certify the whole house as we are going to put the house on the market in about a week and I am sure we will be asked for an Electrical Certificate due to the amount of work we have done over the last 3 years since purchasing it