Electrics For New Extension

Customer reference for A Abbott Electrical as told to pickapro by Bridget Murphy from Dublin 12 on 05-Feb-2009

When was the work done?
About November 2008.

What was involved?
We built a kitchen extension to the back of the house. Steve took care of the electrics for the extension. He also upgraded the electrics in our bathroom.

How did you choose A. Abbott Electrical?
My Dad and my uncle are in the building trade and they'd used Steven previously on a job. They said Steve was very good.

Had you definite ideas in mind before you talked to Stephen O'Hara?
Yes, I gave Steve a call where we were still at the planning stage and I explained that we had a couple of ideas for the extension. He came out to the house so we were able to show him the site and the ideas we had. Then Steve gave his recommendations and we kind of worked together. It meant we were able to put the plans together with the electrics on them instead of having to change them at the end which was much better.

Did Stephen introduce new ideas?

Yes, he had practical advice on where was best to put sockets. It wasn't going to be a hugh extension so he advised us to put downlighters under the units to make the room look bigger.

Steve's obviously done a lot of extensions before so his recommendations are tried and tested. It's always good to have advice from a professional.

How did the project run?
We never had any problems at all. Once we'd agreed on what was going to be done, the date was set and Steve turned up on the day, He turned up every day at the exact same time and put in a full day until the job was done. He was great. I felt was had his full attention at all times.

The workmanship was absolutely perfect and he cleaned up after himself as well. You wouldn't even know he was there.

What was the biggest benefit to you of using A. Abbott Electrical?
Probably the fact that he was available to help us at the planning stages. We weren't even sure if we were going ahead with the extension at the time and he was still willing to come out and spend time with us without any initial cost to us. It was the personal touch really. When you ring around, a lot of electricians say call when you get to such a stage and they'll come in then.

Steve was extremely reliable, very friendly, a tidy worker and approachable at all times.

What's your favourite part now?
The new lighting in the bathroom. We just had one main light in the middle of the bathroom. Steve put in some recessed lighting in the ceiling and over the mirror. It changed the look of the room altogether without having to do major work. I thought it would be a lot of work to do it but Steve kept it very neat, very straightforward. As I said earlier, you wouldn't even know he'd been in there.

Would you recommend A. Abbott Electrical to others?
Definitely, yes. I have already recommended Steve onto my sister when she moved into a new house.

Any tips for other people?
In regards to extensions, there was a lot of paperwork and regulations that you have to adhere too. Anyone else that I knew had done work, I went and spoke to them and found out about any problems they had. Just to make sure that what you want to do you can do legally before you set your heart on it. It's not good, if you have stuff drawn up and then you're told no.