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Rewires to remember

9/11/2017

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It has been an exceptionally busy time for me this year right from January 2nd to Monday 14th August, when I took a well earned rest for a couple of weeks. The first time in 5 years! A proper break.

As well as remedying electrical problems for existing customers and tending to electrical additions for many, I have also been busy with rewires. Three in particular have kept me busy this year and each have been different.

Sauze Vaussais - Dept 79
I was particularly delighted to work on a rewire on my door step. The clients had purchased a property which needed a complete renovation. They had purposefully purchased something that they could put their own personal stamp on and incorporate some cool gadgetry for their minimalist but functional home.
After completely gutting the property builders set to work in reconfiguring the home exactly to the clients wishes. With me doing my bit to include lighting of stairwell, zonal lighting in the lounge, dining and kitchen areas. All controlled by a panel in the main lounge/diner. Even the external lighting is controlled by a separate remote system either by a hand held fob or wall panel. Continuing on, high ceilings meant the installation of velux window blind which are controlled by hand held remote. I love it when clients want to explore creative lighting options in their home fused with advanced control.   

Here's what the client had to say about my work:
​“Nothing is too much trouble for Paul! Having installed the complete wiring from scratch for our renovation he was happy to come back and do the smaller jobs like garden lighting and even making the trip to add a single socket in one room. Paul clearly knows exactly what he is doing and ensures that everything conforms to the French regulations and standards. He worked well with the other builders on site and fitted into their schedules as much as he possibly could. We are delighted with the results.”
Champagne Mouton - Dept 16
June was dedicated to a 4 week rewire at Champagne Mouton. A lovely town house with great history and a real depth of character. I had been recommended by Andrew Johnson/Karen Jones in Ruffec for some electrical works to the kitchen. Having visited the property so that I could prepare my devis, it was clear that the main fuseboard and earthing was a little unsuitable. As safe electrics is paramount I brought it to their attention immediately. They were aware that the system was old and as they were planning to do a number of aesthetic works themselves to the property, they invited me to present a devis for a rewire. Once accepted, a new fuseboard replaced the old with clear identification of the various zones, with surface mounted trunking and surface mounted sockets and switches.
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Here's what clients had to say about my work:
Thank you Paul, for the great job you have done rewiring our house.
We were impressed by how hard you work, your pleasant attitude and friendly disposition.
We would highly recommend you to other people who need electrical work done.

Fontenille - Dept 79
After the 4 week rewire in Champagne Mouton my next job was a 3 week rewire in Fontenille. Client was keen for a rewire of an old non compliant installation before commencing with internal decoration. We had several meet ups before deciding on final works. Trust was of paramount importance for this client, living solo. It is a huge undertaking for many people when they live in their homes, fixtures and fittings are in their place, everything is how they want it to be. Invite a few tradesmen and suddenly dust sheets, moving of furniture can be pretty disruptive to their day to day lives. The house was originally 2 separate houses and electrical works included 2 fuseboards to provide adequate supply and circuits for a bigger property, with an additional fuseboard in the garage to feed circuits in the garage and provide overall protection. Circuits were rewired and all 2 pin sockets replaced to comply.

Here's what client had to say about my work:  
I had Paul Wilkins do a complete rewire on my house, it was a complicated job & he advised me accordingly.He was extremely tolerant of my need to understand the process & my changing my mind. (A woman’s prerogative). He was always very punctual (I could set my watch by him) and he always had cheerful smile (despite my constant questions). I am thrilled with the results & have no reservation to recommend him to anyone.
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Customers want peace of mind when dealing with trades in France

2/6/2017

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When customers are not living in France full time and have commissioned work to be carried out they need peace of mind that the job is going to be done in their absence.

I have recently finished an electrical job at L'Isle Jourdain, Vienne [86] for a client who divides time between France and the UK. I initially was asked to provide a devis for the work via a team of builders who I have worked with before and submitted the devis to the client which was accepted shortly after submitting. The work commenced with the client the other side of the Channel and was more than happy for me to liaise with her designated key holder along with other trades who were on site.

The property was a typical older French property which didn't not comply to current NF normes. When clients are not here full time I take photos of the work that I am doing and then share to either dropbox or google drive so that they can see exactly what I have done, as per the devis submitted. Regular updates help me keep in mind any considerations or suggestions I need to make as the job goes along.

This particular job continued right up to Christmas and the New Year. With other works continuing, such as installation of the heating system, it meant working on site was cold, as working alongside a plumber who was installing the central heating system. A lovely job to do with no real challenges other than the fact initially it was a 3 phase installation but when EDF came along for some strange reason they had made it single phase, so modifications had to be made to accommodate single phase installation.

The job was completed on time and with the detailed photographic work, the client was more than happy with the results. I shall look forward to returning in the Spring to work on new recommendations that I have made. ​

Paul Wilkins
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Winter Round up 2016 

1/11/2017

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image courtesy of pixabay.com
Despite Brexit I was fortunate enough to benefit from a number of house purchasers who made contact with me to provide electrical devis. Subsequently the autumn and winter months for Paul Wilkins Electricien was extremely busy in the Deux Sevres and departments 16 and 86 bordering.
As with many older French properties, many lack earthing which predominantly helps make the electrical installation safer, along with updates to fuseboards and circuits to service clients needs and appliances in their homes.
I closed 2016 with a couple of ongoing rewires for habitats where clients have gone all out in redesigning their homes and have enjoyed working with many building teams [it can be lonely working on your own, but my new Bosch 360 Professional PowerBox Jobsite Radio will keep me company]. Plus enquiries where clients want to concentrate on outside garden lighting, and entertaining areas where outbuildings are being turned into bars.

Here's to another successful year of keeping homes electrically safe,
​
Paul Wilkins


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Round up of keeping homes electrically safe across Dept 79 and beyond

12/10/2015

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Here's a quick review of some of the work that I have undertaken over the last few months. With a very mild and warm Autumn blending into November and December a lot of customers are seeking to make the most of the weather and keep me busy. A number of rewires have been done along with additional works.  All work done with pride and professionalism and to French Normes too!  

Chaignepain 79: continuation of rewire which finished in the Autumn

Château Garnier 86: complete rewire following on from new purchase

Chef Boutonne79: continuation of ongoing rewire plus upgrade to 3phase and splitting loads evenly

Cherigne 79: lighting – installation of downlights and radiators

Clussauis la Pommeraie 79: rewiring of kitchen to French Normes in readiness for new kitchen installation

Cognac 17: 3 phase board change and additional works

Fontenille 79: fuseboard change and updating installation plus electrical gates

Melleran 79: rewire as clients wanted electrics to be in compliant order before putting property on market

St Romain 86: additional works to include radiators and external lighting for decking area

Tillou 79: updating of current electrical system

Vancais 79: board change and additional works
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​Vanzay 79: renovation of attic into bedrooms and updating current system



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