Before the kitchen comes the electrics…
Now this really is an obstacle! I need about 7 double sockets installed in my modest kitchen before the new kitchen is fitted.. A smallish job for most people I would have thought… Wrong again it would seem…
Somewhere along the line our wonderful government have come up with “Part P” certification.. “WHAT?? Part P, what the hell is that??” IÂ here you cry.. Well, it’s apparently a licence to print money for our electricians..
Because there are an average of 10 deaths per year in the UK due to faulty electrics, the wonderful government have come up with this scheme.. All electrical work in kitchens must conform to “Part P” (Where the hell do they dream up these letters?) - And guess what? There’s not really a way around it.. You will never be able to sell your house unless it conforms to the “Part P” regulations!
Which means.. All electricians in the country are now writing their own pay cheques.. We are trapped.. My seven sockets will cost me around £1000 ($2000) for basically 1.5 days work! I must re-train, it cannot be that hard for Gawd’s sake!
PLUS.. All work carried out by the certified “Part P” electricians actually requires by law that our local authority is informed of the work done and that it’s done to standard.. Great news! My house is now officially safe electrically and the local govt knows about it, that’s gotta be good.. EXCEPT.. I have to PAY to tell them my house conforms!
I’m losing the will to live, roll on China.. 9 weeks to go!