Electricians
The key concern here is that with Part P of the Building Regulations, all new electrical work has to be approved by a certified person. This means that, unless the work is of a minor nature, such as changing a socket, any electrical work is to be undertaken by a Competent Person (an individual or a company authorised to self-certify compliance on completion of the work). Further information can be found from the Electrical Contractors' Association site download.If you can take the opportunity to see the 1st fix work of an electrician then you may be able to get an idea of her work - the wiring should be neat and tidy, even though it will ultimately be hidden. If you can see the work of prospective electricians at other sites, during first fix where the wiring will be in view, then that may give an insight. After second fix, wiring will still be in view in the loft, but not quite so easy to nose around other people's lofts!
Some neat examples of wiring are shown here
Be there when the electrician first starts - he will need to know where to locate all power, telephone, TV points , light switches, light fittings, external lights etc etc. Even if some of these are noted on the architects plans, there is nothing like being in the rooms to be able to visualise and determine the best positions. Consider these in advance.
Some points to consider are:- ensure there are enough power points
- may need TV and Telephone points in most, if not all, rooms - even bedrooms where computers may need to connect to the Internet.
- not sure where to have powerpoints? - place them at two corners in a room, diagonal to each other
- know where the doors are to go, in order not to have light switches behind doors when open
- Building Regs require 3 low voltage lights per 5 rooms - consider where you want these - perhaps in hallways as they take some time to come to full lighting.
Plumbers
Ensure that you take on a plumber that carries out a pressure test once the first fix is complete. This is vital - however good the plumber is, mistakes can be made. The next opportunity to find out if there is a leak is after 2nd fix - and then the plumbing will be behind plaster board and beneath flooring etc - and costly to rectify.
Some plumbers will bend pipes rather than use joints in places where they will be very inaccessible - such as under units under kitchen floors. This isn't a vital requirement but is an indicator of a plumber who is taking things seriously.
The advice from Government concerning plumbers is at the DirectGov Government web site - choosing traders & service providers
