Advice needed

danap · 08-10-2019 2:14pm #1

I need some advice. Last week I had an electrician call to install some fixtures and I asked him can he put up 2 CCTV cameras for me. They are IP cameras that are powered from a standard wall socket. He drilled holes in the front and rear walls of the house to pass through the power cables for the cameras and in the process took a nice chunk of plaster from both walls (quite a deep hole). He then told me I'd have to get a plasterer out to "fix" it myself. Surely he caused the damage he should fix it? I've had holes put in the house wall before for other cables and no damage done. Also to top if off after he left I noticed 2 "nice" dents in the car door where it was obviously struck by the step ladder he used as my car was parked beside where he put up one of the cameras. When I contacted him about this he denied he did it of course. My car is in a private driveway and there was no damage when I went to the car 20 mins before he arrived but was there after he left. It is very noticeable. I know it's my word against his but any suggestions how I should approach this issue and the issue with the wall damage? Thanks.

Sleeper12 · 08-10-2019 4:50pm

Can you post photos?

Most tradesmen will fill small gaps with calk or silicone. If it was genuinely necessary to make the holes & if they require plastering then the homeowner would usually get this done. He's an electrician not a Plasterer in fairness.

danap · 08-10-2019 5:27pm

Hi Sleeper12,

I understand he is not a plasterer but surely if he causes additional damage he is liable to fix it even if it means him getting a plasterer. Maybe I'm mistaken. Attached are some photos of the damage caused. Thanks for the respnse.

Sleeper12 wrote: »

Can you post photos?

Most tradesmen will fill small gaps with calk or silicone. If it was genuinely necessary to make the holes & if they require plastering then the homeowner would usually get this done. He's an electrician not a Plasterer in fairness.

08-10-2019 5:27pm

Obviously damaging your car should pay for the damage, equally obvious is that none of us can say whether this particular electrician damaged your car or not.

Regarding the damage to the plaster, this can be unavoidable. It depends on a lot of factors. Without seeing a photo it is not possible to judge the extent of the damage or how careful the electrician was.

As already stated many electricians will repair small damage with some filler.

08-10-2019 5:30pm

I just saw your photos, our last posts crossed.
That looks pretty rough to me, I wouldn’t be happy.

punisher5112 · 08-10-2019 5:31pm

Unfortunately this is what happens drilling....

The outer part ends up taking more with it as drill is hammering away.

I'd rather have someone with the skills do it though as it may actually look terrible and needs painting too.

You could buy a bit of plaster in box mix it up and apply.

I myself would have filled it but it may well not be totally perfect.

secman · 08-10-2019 5:36pm

Thats a very rough looking finish, cable is just dangling there, wouldn't be a bit happy with that at all, a bit of a thumper by the looks of it.

Sleeper12 · 08-10-2019 5:40pm

punisher5112 wrote:

I'd rather have someone with the skills do it though as it may actually look terrible and needs painting too.

I totally agree with you. Not to tar all electricians with the same brush but I've been in many homes that have obviously been rewired and sometimes the finish is terrible where the plastered the chased out walls.

danap · 08-10-2019 7:11pm

Thanks for all the responses. Electrician called back this evening and he cannot understand my dissatisfaction with his work. So looks like I'll have to get somebody to plaster the holes. Also as suspected he claims he didn't damage my car so looks like I'm out of pocket there as well. Thanks again everybody. P1ssed off and disgruntled.

punisher5112 · 08-10-2019 7:18pm

I'd feel terribly bad leaving a job like that.

Why did he bother coming back to do nothing.

danap · 08-10-2019 7:32pm

He came to inspect the damage to the car and then denied having done it even though it was fine before he arrived and was dented when he left. Anyway my word against his I'm afraid. When I mentioned the holes he left on the front and back walls he said I'd need to get it plastered myself. The problem is he drilled from inside out when he should have drilled outside in. Time to put this costly episode behind me.

Thanks for replying.

punisher5112 wrote: »

I'd feel terribly bad leaving a job like that.

Why did he bother coming back to do nothing.

punisher5112 · 08-10-2019 7:51pm

danap wrote: »

He came to inspect the damage to the car and then denied having done it even though it was fine before he arrived and was dented when he left. Anyway my word against his I'm afraid. When I mentioned the holes he left on the front and back walls he said I'd need to get it plastered myself. The problem is he drilled from inside out when he should have drilled outside in. Time to put this costly episode behind me.

Thanks for replying.

Same could have happened on inside wall depending on finish.

Pity about the damage.

He won't be getting any repeat business off you and you won't be giving him anu other business by word of mouth.

What was he like for doing the work in the 1st place as in did he seem interested as the job was probably not worth it in his eyes so just threw things up

Deagol · 08-10-2019 7:55pm

Problem with the plaster coming off is mainly because people push the hammer drills with all their might! Whole point of a hammer drill is it does the work, you just need and they work better with just light pressure.

If he hadn't been trying to smash the drill through that damage would likely not have happened. Not that it helps you I'm afraid OP but maybe will explain why some guys make a balls of simple jobs like that!

Needs Must · 08-10-2019 7:56pm

Looks poor finish, I wouldn't be pleased myself.

danap · 08-10-2019 8:02pm

In fairness to him the other jobs he had to do he did a good job. But the drilling of the holes in the front and back walls and damage to the my car were disappointing to put it mildly.

punisher5112 wrote: »

danap wrote: »

He came to inspect the damage to the car and then denied having done it even though it was fine before he arrived and was dented when he left. Anyway my word against his I'm afraid. When I mentioned the holes he left on the front and back walls he said I'd need to get it plastered myself. The problem is he drilled from inside out when he should have drilled outside in. Time to put this costly episode behind me.

Thanks for replying.

Same could have happened on inside wall depending on finish.

Pity about the damage.

He won't be getting any repeat business off you and you won't be giving him anu other business by word of mouth.

What was he like for doing the work in the 1st place as in did he seem interested as the job was probably not worth it in his eyes so just threw things up

Tuco88 · 08-10-2019 11:14pm

Pitty he didn't try and use the soffit and not the wall, as a way to route the cable.

Dark sun · 08-10-2019 11:24pm

Pity you didn’t have CCTV for the car damage

meercat · 09-10-2019 7:03am

Tuco88 wrote: »

Pitty he didn't try and use the soffit and not the wall, as a way to route the cable.

Agree. Can’t understand why he didn’t do this op. What way did he route the cables inside.

Irish_peppa · 09-10-2019 8:50am

would of been easier and look much better using the soffit, very odd he choose to drill the wall like that. I wonder was this extra work included in the original price and he just gunthered it up in a bit of a huff or did he charge you full whack for the 2 extra camera installs? I have had stuff like this happen with tradesmen doing really stupid stuff you would think they would know better or at least bloody ask / advise you on what they are planning to tackle the job. I had a painter in who had great feedback who painted over 3 crack gauges on the wall.... I had pointed it out to him and all ! came home and the thing was coated in 2 coats of immulsion. :rolleyes:
I might seem OTT but now if im getting a job done i will have notes on what i want done with drawings sometimes too .

danap · 09-10-2019 8:51am

Hi meerkat,

Cable through the wall and then down along the bedroom wall to the power socket.

meercat wrote: »

Tuco88 wrote: »

Pitty he didn't try and use the soffit and not the wall, as a way to route the cable.

Agree. Can’t understand why he didn’t do this op. What way did he route the cables inside.

danap · 09-10-2019 8:54am

Camera installation was included in the cost of the job.

Irish_peppa wrote: »

would of been easier and look much better using the soffit, very odd he choose to drill the wall like that. I wonder was this extra work included in the original price and he just gunthered it up in a bit of a huff or did he charge you full whack for the 2 extra camera installs? I have had stuff like this happen with tradesmen doing really stupid stuff you would think they would know better or at least bloody ask / advise you on what they are planning to tackle the job. I had a painter in who had great feedback who painted over 3 crack gauges on the wall.... I had pointed it out to him and all ! came home and the thing was coated in 2 coats of immulsion. :rolleyes:
I might seem OTT but now if im getting a job done i will have notes on what i want done with drawings sometimes too .

meercat · 09-10-2019 8:57am

danap wrote: »

Hi meerkat,

Cable through the wall and then down along the bedroom wall to the power socket.

Doesn’t seem like this lad takes pride in his workmanship (although I don’t like to criticise without seeing it)
Any chance of a photo of the inside work

danap · 09-10-2019 8:37pm

Certainly looks that way meercat. Attached is a photo of the inside job. Apologies about the poor quality but I'm only in from work and best I can get at this time of night.

meercat wrote: »

Doesn’t seem like this lad takes pride in his workmanship (although I don’t like to criticise without seeing it)
Any chance of a photo of the inside work

dingding · 09-10-2019 8:45pm

Didn't think it was possible to be rougher on the inside but I was wrong

harr · 09-10-2019 8:47pm

I am absolutely brutal at DIY and if I finished a job like that I would be very pissed off with myself .. never mind getting a finish like from a electrician.
I installed my own ring cameras it’s not perfect but better than this. Wired it through roof and into sockets in attic.
Ring even provides the drill bits and template.

cosanostra · 09-10-2019 8:56pm

Is this guy a reputable electrician or someone you met in the pub that said they'd do it for you?

meercat · 09-10-2019 8:56pm

Ask for your money back.
Definitely not quality workmanship

Btw,what else did he do for you.and were you happy with it

danap · 09-10-2019 9:06pm

Yes he is a Registered Electrical Contractor and was actually recommended to us.

cosanostra wrote: »

Is this guy a reputable electrician or someone you met in the pub that said they'd do it for you?

danap · 09-10-2019 9:07pm

I left it to the so called expert thinking he'd do a professional job. Fool on me.

harr wrote: »

I am absolutely brutal at DIY and if I finished a job like that I would be very pissed off with myself .. never mind getting a finish like from a electrician.
I installed my own ring cameras it’s not perfect but better than this. Wired it through roof and into sockets in attic.
Ring even provides the drill bits and template.

K.Flyer · 09-10-2019 9:07pm

Jeez, that's very rough work there.
Either he hasn't a clue, or can't be bothered, or both..

danap wrote: »

danap · 09-10-2019 9:12pm

He also replaced an extractor fan in the bathroom, put in a new switch cord for the shower and installed a new light fixture. These I have no complaints with. It's the damage to my car and the front and back walls I'm angry about.

He hasn't been paid yet. It just pains me to have to pay him on top of having to pay to fix the damage he has caused.

meercat wrote: »

Ask for your money back.
Definitely not quality workmanship

Btw,what else did he do for you.and were you happy with it

punisher5112 · 09-10-2019 9:16pm

Oh dear lord.... Or Christ on a bike as I do say....

I'd be banned for saying exactly what I thought but jaysus that's absolutely shocking work....

A 1st year apprentice would do a better job.

Is it screwed to the wall or just stuck up....

punisher5112 · 09-10-2019 9:21pm

You say you haven't paid him well the ball is actually in your court....

I would be asking him to rectify the work or better still I'd be contacting reci about his workmanship to be honest....

Please post a photo of the other work.

You never mentioned the inside part and that is beyond a joke.

I was at this for just over 4 years but never got my papers as failed 1 out of 4 tests and was let go at recession.

danap · 09-10-2019 9:21pm

Punishe5112, I guess it wouldn't surprise you to hear it's just stuck up.

punisher5112 wrote: »

Oh dear lord.... Or Christ on a bike as I do say....

I'd be banned for saying exactly what I thought but jaysus that's absolutely shocking work....

A 1st year apprentice would do a better job.

Is it screwed to the wall or just stuck up....

punisher5112 · 09-10-2019 9:24pm

danap wrote: »

Punishe5112, I guess it wouldn't surprise you to hear it's just stuck up.

Oh for fcuk sake.....

I'm not shocked at all but more so disappointed even more that I could be doing a job like that and do it right but can't as 1 exam I didn't pass.....

There was ones like this in work and went on to work for themselves... Great spoofers to be honest.

His initial arent DM are they

danap · 09-10-2019 9:29pm

I did ask him to repair it but he said I'd have to get a plasterer in as he is not a plasterer which is fair enough. But I would have expected him to offer to pay for the damage or to deduct it from his bill. No chance.

Can I actually lodge a complaint with reci? Are they not only concerned with the actual electrical work?

punisher5112 wrote: »

You say you
haven't paid him well the ball is actually in your court....

I would be asking him to rectify the work or better still I'd be contacting reci about his workmanship to be honest....

Please post a photo of the other work.

You never mentioned the inside part and that is beyond a joke.

I was at this for just over 4 years but never got my papers as failed 1 out of 4 tests and was let go at recession.

punisher5112 · 09-10-2019 9:31pm

danap wrote: »

I did ask him to repair it but he said I'd have to get a plasterer in as he is not a plasterer which is fair enough. But I would have expected him to offer to pay for the damage or to deduct it from his bill. No chance.

Can I actually lodge a complaint with reci? Are they not only concerned with the actual electrical work?

If that's how he leaves what you can see I can only imagine what the rest of his work is like....

Is his name on the van and all or sort of relies on word of mouth?

I'd be making whoever told you to use home they are demented .. well nicely ;-)

If you aren't already aware the sticky back on the trunking is only an aid to help get it straight to then actually screw it to the surface.

That is absolutely terrible and even the hole inside is crazy.
He could at least of thrown a but of filler or silicone or something as you now have an open hole in the wall.

danap · 09-10-2019 9:32pm

No not DM. Sorry to hear about the failed exam. Can you not retake it? Plenty of work for electricians out there.

punisher5112 wrote: »

Oh for fcuk sake.....

I'm not shocked at all but more so disappointed even more that I could be doing a job like that and do it right but can't as 1 exam I didn't pass.....

There was ones like this in work and went on to work for themselves... Great spoofers to be honest.

His initial arent DM are they

danap · 09-10-2019 9:35pm

No name on the van so maybe gets jobs by word of mouth. Deffo won't be getting any references from me.

punisher5112 wrote: »

If that's how he leaves what you can see I can only imagine what the rest of his work is like....

Is his name on the van and all or sort of relies on word of mouth?

I'd be making whoever told you to use home they are demented .. well nicely ;-)

If you aren't already aware the sticky back on the trunking is only an aid to help get it straight to then actually screw it to the surface.

That is absolutely terrible and even the hole inside is crazy.
He could at least of thrown a but of filler or silicone or something as you now have an open hole in the wall.

punisher5112 · 09-10-2019 9:38pm

danap wrote: »

No not DM. Sorry to hear about the failed exam. Can you not retake it? Plenty of work for electricians out there.

Throw up a few pics....

Wouldn't suit with taking hit in wages and going back to be honest, mortgage etc so couldn't do it.

Thanks appreciate that it's maybe a good thing as would have been out of work for a good few years where as I was in full employment through the whole downturn.

I wouldn't be at all happy with any of that.

Even an outside socket box and cable ran out and the two cameras power supply linked from the outside.... Yes a little more cable but less mess and a tidier job....

He really shouldnt be anywhere near a residential property if that's how he thinks the job is fine.... Funny they wouldn't even get away doing that on a commercial premises.

K.Flyer · 09-10-2019 9:44pm

You can see that he stuck the trunking to the wall, realised it was too far off the corner, pulled it away and took a lump of the paint with him and stuck it back leaving the paint finish in lumps.

punisher5112 · 09-10-2019 9:47pm

K.Flyer wrote: »

You can see that he stuck the trunking to the wall, realised it was too far off the corner, pulled it away and took a lump of the paint with him and stuck it back leaving the paint finish in lumps.

True but then it was possible but unlikely he screwed up after but we know the answer to that....

I'd actually be ashamed leaving it like that.

mickdw · 09-10-2019 9:49pm

Don't pay for that work.
Ok so an accident could happen where some plaster get blown off with the drill.
He destroyed the wall at both drill holes and then made an absolute mess of the inside.
A joke.
The car issue is even more serious but without proof, you will have to park that.
If you are 100 percent certain about the car, well nail him.to the wall over the standard of his work.

dodzy · 09-10-2019 9:50pm

RECI. In this case, and plenty of others i hazard, it is a guarantee of f**k all.

That is one pure sh1t job. The other stuff he did that you were pleased with he simply could not mess up. Regarding this work however, and blank canvas you presented him with - well a different story altogether.

Report the prick. And to think if you came on to certain forums, you’d be hauled across the coals at the mere suggestion you were looking at wiring in a socket yourself - as a non RECI.

Posts like this offer ample justification for a competent DIYer doing a lot of their own work at home.

danap · 09-10-2019 10:01pm

Thanks again to everyone that responded. Really appreciate it.

I think I'll lodge a complaint with RECI and see if anything comes of it.

On another note when he called yesterday to view the damage he caused to my car (which he denied) he said he'd give me his public liability insurance details once I get a quote for the fix. He said he'd leave his insurance deal with the car damage but that he'll instruct them that he didn't cause the damage. So will be out of pocket there as well.

Sleeper12 · 09-10-2019 10:13pm

danap wrote:

I think I'll lodge a complaint with RECI and see if anything comes of it.

I agree with every one else. It's a shocking job. Anyone can blow out the plaster drilling through a wall but he did it twice and the inside is no better.

I'm not an electrician so happy to be corrected but I don't think this is a RECI thing. RECI should guarantee safe electric work that meets all of the wiring regulations. I don't think it covers the cosmetic end of it. I'm pretty sure that so long as the actual electrical work is safe RECI could care less about how it looks.

danap · 09-10-2019 10:22pm

Sleeper12, I actually thought the same but at this stage what else can I do. Would love to hear from somebody that knows. Anyway if it makes RECI aware of the shoddy workmanship of one of its registered contractors it might ensure he doesn't damage other people's homes. Wishful thinking I suppose.

Sleeper12 wrote: »

I agree with every one else. It's a shocking job. Anyone can blow out the plaster drilling through a wall but he did it twice and the inside is no better.

I'm not an electrician so happy to be corrected but I don't think this is a RECI thing. RECI should guarantee safe electric work that meets all of the wiring regulations. I don't think it covers the cosmetic end of it. I'm pretty sure that so long as the actual electrical work is safe RECI could care less about how it looks.

kramer1 · 09-10-2019 11:52pm

Just don't pay him til he does it properly, if its a choice between not getting paid or fixing the work then he ll probably fix it, ask for a cert for any electrical work he's done in your house, don't bother reporting him to reci, they ll probably do nothing and it won't help to get the work rectified. You're only leverage is the money and it's a great one. And don't accept, he's not a plasterer as an answer, he either fixes it or you deduct the cost of repair from the original price.

Risteard81 · 10-10-2019 8:54am

RECI cannot and do not get involved except in issues of electrical safety (and compliance with the Wiring Rules). Everything else is outside the scope of RECI, and it's right and proper that this would be the case.

To be honest I'm not sure why everyone's siding with you about the car - absolutely no evidence has been provided and frankly they can't know that he was responsible.

Also you don't have a right to withhold all payment for the job. Such an action would have no basis in law. The best course of action would be to come to an agreement between yourselves rather than going legal. But whatever the case some money will be owed.

punisher5112 · 10-10-2019 8:55am

Op how much did this cost?

meercat · 10-10-2019 9:10am

danap wrote: »

He also replaced an extractor fan in the bathroom, put in a new switch cord for the shower and installed a new light fixture. These I have no complaints with. It's the damage to my car and the front and back walls I'm angry about.

He hasn't been paid yet. It just pains me to have to pay him on top of having to pay to fix the damage he has caused.

Has he provided a certificate for the electrical work
He must provide one for a bathroom and for minor works if requested

Advice needed

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