b'Resenesupply yourself. The inspector will connect it, test it, and issue you Dynamite with a Certicate of Compliance (COC) if it meets safety requirements. And you are not allowed to do any work on a switchboardapart from replacing fuse wire or fuse cartridgesyourself.There is an inherent danger when dealing with electricity. Mistakes can result in shocks or re. Doing it yourself can also impact on your dodgy DIYers insurance when time comes for a claim. So, if youre game to try, ensure you have the necessary knowledge and skills and that the power is turned off. However, its safest to get someone in who power play knows what theyre doing.It all happened about ve months ago. We own a beachWhen choosing an electrician, ensure they are registered and have house over at Kawhia and needed to have the trees cuta current practising license. They should be able to present an ID near the road, just in case they fell and caused damage.card issued by the Electrical Workers Registration Board, bearing their Instead of hiring a professional to do the job, my husbandname, registration number and license expiry date. decided to take it on, with a German friend of his. They went there for the weekend to do it, but before theyDoing it yourself can also impacteven attempted to trim or cut the trees they thoughton your insurance when time comes that they deserved a beer. for a claim.While intoxicated, the German climbed the ladder to cut some branches, while my husband waited on the groundAs with most such jobs, get three quotes, but be aware that the to navigate and stop them landing on the road (the maincheapest may not be the best. Ask for an itemised quote, which lists road into Kawhia, in fact!) They were on a roll until bothmaterials and labour costs. This is helpful if changes are made to the made a mistake. They cut a branch and let it land on ajob while its in progress. Some people buy the necessary parts from powerline. The line snapped and was ashing aroundtheir local hardware store and then call an electrician in to install throwing sparks everywhere. My husband was in shockthem. If you do this, your electrician is likely to up their hourly rate, as and seeing his life ash before his eyes and the Germanthey make a margin on products they source themselves. They should was swearing in his native language.also be aware of new trends and products, and be in a position to Because these powerlines are the ones that run into theadvise you of the best solution to your needs.township, it cut off the power into Kawhia for four hours,And do make sure you know exactly what youre getting, and what until they were repaired. We had to pay the $800 fee foryoure not, for the quoted price. Will they dig their own trenches for the call-out and equipment. It was a costly lesson that itunderground cabling? Are the inspection fees included? Also, ask is sometimes best to call in the professionals rather thanwhether an apprentice will be assisting on the job. Apprentices need doing it yourself.considerable practical experience to become fully qualied, so its From: Lynn MacDonald good for them to be actively involved. Their work is fully supervised, but their time should only be charged if they contribute to the job, and naturally, you shouldnt be paying as much for their work.power cutFinally, always ask for a COC, unless its simply been a maintenance My husband (how many funny DIY stories start like that?)job. Electricians ll these out at the end of each xed wiring project was changing a light tting outside and had to drill someas proof that they have complied with New Zealands electrical safety new holes for the tting. While up the ladder with hisstandards and codes. The customer should receive a copy of the electric drill, he decided to be cautious, climbed downcerticate, as should the Electrical Workers Registration Board. A and told me he was going to turn off the power as heCOC for electrical work will protect you from liability if, after youve would be drilling close to the wiring. (Remember, thesold your house, something goes wrong with the electrical wiring. drill was ELECTRIC!).For people buying property, it is important to ask for a recent COC to From: Stuart Family ensure the electrical wiring and ttings are in a safe and satisfactory condition.130 |'