New consumer unit and sockets for garage

[KevM]

I want to add, or more correctly have someone else add, some sockets on a new circuit in my garage. Currently the (attached) garage has the consumer unit for the house, but the only power in the garage is provided by way of a spur fed off the adjacent room's circuit. My consumer unit has 6 ways in it, all full. I mainly want the extra sockets for convenience and safety, I'm not a fan of using extension leads for semi-permanent installations. The only machinery I operate is a fairly chunky vacuum (DWV902) and Bandsaw (Record BS350), these are operated together using the power take off from the vacuum. On chilly days I'll also have a fan heater going which is rated for 2kW. I also want a couple of external weatherproof sockets installed for lawnmower, shredder, pressure washer, ...

So my question comes down to: what should I be asking for, any feel for size (duration & disruption) of job and ballpark costs for Dorset/Somerset area? Should I be asking for steel conduit and sockets, do they come at a significant premium, and is that overkill for a semi-domestic setting?

On a further note, I've recently responded to an offer for a "100% free*" electric vehicle charging socket - http://www.batchelor-electrical.co.uk/freeevcharging.html. I'm absolutely expecting that this may be '100%free*' after performing a grand's worth of necessary upgrades to my current system - anybody come across this? I haven't had the pre-installation survey yet, and my intention is to tell them to make tracks if they look like they're trying it on. I am considering an electric vehicle as a second car, so it's not just a case of having the charging point because I like the look of it!

All advice and thoughts welcome!

*The use of an asterisk always makes my antennae start twitching, but they do appear to be a legit company.

Thanks.

 

[joethedrummer]

Hi Kev,
Change your 6 way to a 10 way ? then the garage will have its own way and the missus won"t be plunged into the dark when you trip out the garage,,

 

[n0legs]

Hi Kev,
Change your 6 way to a 10 way ? then the garage will have its own way and the missus won"t be plunged into the dark when you trip out the garage,,

Not wanting to sound awkward.
The Idea is fine but another method would be a double pole isolator and a sub main to the garage, where the garage then has its own consumer unit.

With regards to conduit, where as clipped direct is approved, mechanical protection of cables is a good idea.
Plastic 20/25mm conduit would be great, you could have the wiring all done in singles, which offsets the cost of the conduit and allows for easy expansion.
Plastic trunking is also another option.
Don't overlook armoured cable, it's not as expensive as it seems, installation is quick and easy and metal clad sockets/switches are super tough.
I would also fit a dedicated isolator at the entrance/exit. It would allow someone else to shut down the workshop if you got yourself in trouble and you were calling for help.

 

[Dusty]

Morning Kev , if you are on the in the north west of Dorset , try a sparky by the name of Sam Ricketts , he is Crewkerne area if Somerset but does travel . I use him for all my works and would highly recommend him , if you can't find his number on the net just pm me and I will let you have it .

Cheers Dusty