Dishwasher Water Supply & Electric Oven Electric Supply

[Richard Faulkner]

I have just had a flat refurbished by some builders, (who I will never use again!!), and I have found the following which concern me:

The dishwasher water supply tap is positioned behind the built in oven, such that you cant get to it to turn the water on, or off, without removing the oven. This is obviously unacceptable, but I am wondering if there is a safety/regulation issue?

The electric wires from both the electric oven and gas hob, terminate in ordinary plugs which are plugged into a double socket which is "floating", rather than secured, below the oven, such that to get at the sockets, the oven must be removed. Again this is clearly unacceptable, but it also appears extremely dangerous. Any thoughts as to safety and regulations.

I still have £3,500 of this guys money, (or not this guys money ), so I have an element of power over him. I would like to be able to tell him that he has breached some safety regulations in order to prevent him from baffling me with bullshit. I may also report him to Trading Standards and any other organisation as appropriate.

I am actually probably going to get someone else in to correct a long list of unsatisfactory work, and use the £3,500 to do it, then give him the balance if there is any left and he chases it.

Many thanks

[Christian McArdle]

You must give him a chance to correct the issues.

Ask for the BS7671 minor works certificate for the oven/hob installation. He probably won't be able to provide one.

Christian.

[Andy Hall]

Water regulations require that controls are accessible.

That certainly is not acceptable, simply from the workmanship point of view. The wiring regulations require that isolation for cooking appliances is readily accessible as well. It is OK to use a plug and socket arrangement as long as the appliances are rated at less than 13A. I would wonder about that in the case of an oven, although it may be possible - it would need to be rated at 3kW or less.

Withholding money until satisfactory completion of works so that he has to take legal action is a reasonable one, *but* you do have to give him the chance to correct the problems.

Regarding the electrical work, you would really need to have a BS7671 inspection done so that you have evidence that the work was not done properly. Then you have an independent opinion and can get costings to fix the problems.

If the general standard of work is poor, then that becomes more of a matter of debate.

.andy

To email, substitute .nospam with .gl

[Christian McArdle]

Most single ovens are around the 2kW mark. Double ovens are sometimes more than 3kW, sometimes less.

Christian.

[Richard Faulkner]

In message , Christian McArdle writes

They are on their 3rd chance to correct a whole litany of shoddy, or incorrect issues, so I have no problem in dumping them at this point.

I will certainly ask for the certificate you mention - I am absolutely certain they wont even know what it is

Thanks for the info.