DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi All

I want to install washing machine and tumble dryer in garage and there is no electricity in garage so for that i called in a local improvement guy who quoted me this, can you please check if this is realistic or off or way too off?

I have no clue about these things hence will be highly grateful if you can help me here..

Thanks in advance.

Supply and install a 3-way populated garage consumer unit in the garage.

This would involve running new tails/earth from the outside cupboard to new garage unit. Earth bonding water pipes in garage and test.

£385.00 + VAT


Run new power (ring main) cables from consumer board to supply power to garage (3 x double sockets) and to outside rear garage wall (1 x double IP66 socket).

As ceiling will be plaster boarded once our works are complete the wiring in the ceiling void will not be in conduit.! All wiring below ceiling level will be run in conduit

£230.00 + VAT

!

Run new lighting cables from consumer board to garage open ceiling and fit and supply 4! new 5’ batten lights and! fit new light switches.! As ceiling will be plaster boarded once our works are complete

the wiring in the ceiling void will not be in conduit.! All wiring below ceiling level will be run in conduit

£285.00 + VAT



Thanks!

In order to give a quote ideally a person should visit site and carry out a survey. This site survey will also include things like access to the site, is parking nearby / on site available, disposal of all waste material, the actual job it self etc.

Since any one on a public forum (such as this one) are unable to visit said site it is therefore not possible (For the reasons already stated) to give an opinion on a question such as yours. The only thing I can suggest is that you get another quote and make sure they are quoting to do the same work / same materials Then you compare quotes.

Posted 10.09 11/23

The cost to run 25 mm² cables from the DNO head to a second consumer unit is normally prohibitive, it is normal to fit a MCB in the existing consumer unit and supply the second consumer unit from the first, where one does not have the option of fitting a non RCD protected MCB then some times one will fit a mini consumer unit local to allow the use of smaller cables, and in the main we would use SWA cable to feed under ground not tails.

For 4 double sockets one would not normally use a ring final, a radial circuit would be more normal.

Personally although steel conduit offers good protection, in a garage where items are likely to move I would use SWA cable, it offers more flexibility, as to plastic conduit it’s as much use as a chocolate fire guard, it is used to allow plastering before wires are installed, and to make cables more rigid to aid plastering but offers little protection.

For a washer and tumble drier you need a 20 amp supply, for a washer/drier you need a 13A supply, the cost once 13A is exceeded rockets up, so with a FCU in the house with a 13A fuse the cable size goes down and need for a consumer unit in garage goes, so in garage a second FCU with 3A fuse for lights. You can still have 4 sockets but the total load must not exceed 13A or the fuse will rupture. It will cost a fraction of the cost for a 20A supply, since with a 20A supply there is no point having a ring final even if connecting to the consumer unit he would need a 32A or more supply, so at least 6 mm² cable more likely 10 mm² cable (34 or 45 amp approx).

If you were turning the garage into a granny flat then maybe you need 45A, or if you are doing commercial things in the garage, welding etc, then again 45A may be required, it is unlikely you need a 100A supply so unlikely you could connect direct to the DNO isolator if fitted.

As said one would have to see the job, but it does not sound like the methods expected from a scheme member electrician, of course if there is a change of use, then it will be subject to planning permission and you may include the electrics at little extra cost, so you could use a non scheme member and have the electrics included on the completion certificate. However unless you are already applying for planning permission then likely cheaper to use a scheme member electrician who can self certify than pay for the Part P fees from the council.

Muds
Assuming your installer is registered on one of the competent persons schemes to register your work with the local authority building control
Compare his prices with at least two others in the area.

Muds
Assuming your installer is registered on one of the competent persons schemes to register your work with the local authority building control
Compare his prices with at least two others in the area.