Electrical advice please

• Anne Edwards

  • Location: Dover
  5 January 2012     16:55145695
  #1       report
  I am buying a place in Canterbury and had an electrical check. The electrician quoted me £100 and has charged me £150. He has given me the report and said about £300 worth of work is needed doing . Can someone advise me what to do and where to get a trustworthy electrician. I have asked for his quote in writing .
• Guest 698

  • Registered: 28 May 2010
  • Posts: 8,664
  5 January 2012     17:04145698
  #2       report
  Pay only for his written report. Use the report to get other estimates for the work. Do not pay a penny until you have the written report- most important.
  I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
• Guest 655

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 10,247
  5 January 2012     17:34145704
  #3       report
  Anne - I have two clients who are electricians who I have known for a lot of years. Both are very reliable and I have found them trustworthy. They are also both based over in the Canterbury direction.
  
  I agree with Peter, by the way, as well on the best way to proceed.
  
  Do you want contact details? If so email me on advice@regency-ifa.co.uk and I will send them by return.
  
  I will be seeing one of these electricians tomorrow morning at 6am so I can put a word in for you as well. Let me know.
• Guest 656

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 2,262
  5 January 2012     19:40145731
  #4       report
  Firstly Anne, a place in Canterbury, how lovely. I thought a quote was a binding price and an estimate was subject to change either up or down but in most cases up! If I'm correct then you should only have paid £100.
  
  Good to see that BarryW can help with contacts as it is always difficult to find a reliable tradesman these days. I myself don't know of any that I could recommend, I always ask friends as word of mouth is a good place to start.
• Guest 655

  • Registered: 13 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 10,247
  5 January 2012     20:07145750
  #5       report
  They get over that by calling a quote an 'estimate'....
• howard mcsweeney1

  • Location: Dover
  • Registered: 12 Mar 2008
  • Posts: 62,352
  5 January 2012     20:10145757
  #6       report
  always be wary of a too cheap "spark", they pay a huge public liability premium before they start earning.
• Anne Edwards

  • Location: Dover
  5 January 2012     20:15145761
  #7       report
  yes I have just had the "estimate" from the electrician I have emailed him back to ask for a quote so that I can pass it to the vendor. What is even worse is the guy was a "friend" so I feel very put out. The quote for £100 was not an estimate but he says it was because they found 2 consumer units..dont know why so he charged an extra £25 plus VAT. This is what worries me as they could "find all sorts " next time surely.
  Thanks Barry I have emailed your man. I think I need 3 quotes though so would like any other recommendations please.