AJJewsbury:

is whether building control will be happy with my test results or will they have to send someone else to verify? - is this all included in the application cost or is it a case of speaking to my local council to get verification as im getting the impression different areas run things differently.

The normal LA building control fees should include whatever inspection & testing the BCO deems necessary - I've heard that some will reduce their fees if you can provide BS 7671 certification - but that's entirely at their prerogative and as far as I know each makes up their own mind as to the acceptable criteria  - so, yes, you'd have to talk to them (or e-mail etc.). (or several of them, if you intended work area covers more than one council area).


 

is the other option just to pay a registered electrician to test and sign off with building control themselves?

Originally that was strictly forbidden - self certification could only apply to the registered electrician's own work - on the basis that ensuring compliance with BS 7671 can't be done by inspection & testing alone. Recently the powers that be have relented a little and introduced what's called a 'third party verifier' option - where the registered parts is meant to oversee the work to an extent to ensure compliance (e.g. at the very least checking things like concealed cable runs before they're covered over) and can then notify/certify for building regs on the real installer's behalf. The gotcha was that the verifier needed an additional 'badge' from their scheme operator to offer that service (which usually meant an increased membership fee) - so (as least as far as I've heard) wasn't taken up by many electricians - so while it's a valid option in theory, being able actually find someone who can do it is far less certain.


   - Andy


Thanks Andy - I will have to discuss this with the local authority i guess to fully understand the procedure because as it stands, i dont understand how the LABC will be able to check after the job is complete. Surely they will need to visit at particular stages of the install to be worth checking it at all?

AJJewsbury:

is whether building control will be happy with my test results or will they have to send someone else to verify? - is this all included in the application cost or is it a case of speaking to my local council to get verification as im getting the impression different areas run things differently.

The normal LA building control fees should include whatever inspection & testing the BCO deems necessary - I've heard that some will reduce their fees if you can provide BS 7671 certification - but that's entirely at their prerogative and as far as I know each makes up their own mind as to the acceptable criteria  - so, yes, you'd have to talk to them (or e-mail etc.). (or several of them, if you intended work area covers more than one council area).


 

is the other option just to pay a registered electrician to test and sign off with building control themselves?

Originally that was strictly forbidden - self certification could only apply to the registered electrician's own work - on the basis that ensuring compliance with BS 7671 can't be done by inspection & testing alone. Recently the powers that be have relented a little and introduced what's called a 'third party verifier' option - where the registered parts is meant to oversee the work to an extent to ensure compliance (e.g. at the very least checking things like concealed cable runs before they're covered over) and can then notify/certify for building regs on the real installer's behalf. The gotcha was that the verifier needed an additional 'badge' from their scheme operator to offer that service (which usually meant an increased membership fee) - so (as least as far as I've heard) wasn't taken up by many electricians - so while it's a valid option in theory, being able actually find someone who can do it is far less certain.


   - Andy


Thanks Andy - I will have to discuss this with the local authority i guess to fully understand the procedure because as it stands, i dont understand how the LABC will be able to check after the job is complete. Surely they will need to visit at particular stages of the install to be worth checking it at all?