insideKENT Magazine Issue 97 - April 2020 | Page 134

HOME+GARDEN BE A BRIGHT SPARK What should you do to your electrics before you have your home improvements carried out? BY ALFIE OSBORNE, MANAGING DIRECTOR, NMCO ELECTRICAL LTD. There is nothing worse than being called out to a beautifully decorated property to find there is a fault on the wiring, this could be due to cable deterioration, loose connections or breaks in the cable, and then having to explain that a partial or full rewire is required to rectify the fault. Having invested time and money into home improvements, owners are left with little option when it comes to rectifying the fault and installing new cabling: • Chase the walls to bury new cabling • Cut holes in walls and ceilings • Remove carpet and floorboards • Install plastic trunking, which is the easiest option but the least aesthetically appealing one! How do you prevent this from happening to you? 1. Find an approved electrical contractor registered with a governing body such as NAPIT, NICEIC, Stroma, ECA or Elecsa. 2. Have an electrical installation condition report also known as EICR, landlord safety certificate or electrical safety check carried out. An electrical installation condition report will identify any faults or works required to bring your electrical installation up to a safe and compliant condition. By having the electrical installation condition report carried out before your home improvements begin you will: • Save money, by not having to have your property refurbished more than once. • Have peace of mind, knowing your property and everyone living and working inside the property are safe. • Be able to build the costs of electrical work required into your budget for home improvements. Your electrical installation should be inspected and tested every 5 years to ensure no damage has occurred and that the installation is in a safe and compliant condition. • Always ensure any electrical work undertaken in your property is signed off with an electrical installation certificate or an electrical minor works certificate by an approved contractor. The certificates may be requested by building control, insurance companies, etc. • Ask for a copy of the contractor’s public liability insurance, request a guarantee on workmanship and a copy of operation manual’s and manufacturer’s guarantee for equipment/ materials installed. • Ask for the certificate of registration to ensure the company is registered with a governing body or alternatively ask for their registration number so you can check online. Other considerations to bear in mind before undertaking home improvements: • LED solutions – could you save money by converting your existing lights to an LED equivalent? • Would extra lights and sockets be useful? • Are you having new appliances installed? – Ensure your cables and circuit breakers are adequately sized to withstand the load of the new appliances. • Have you got trunking housing cables which you would like hidden? • Would you like to replace your pendants for spotlights? 134 More useful tips: NMCO Electrical Ltd is a family-run, Kent-based electrical company providing electrical services to both domestic and commercial customers throughout Kent. For more information and useful tips please visit www.nmcoelectric.co.uk or email [email protected].