When the rules apply
In England, electrical work in homes must meet Part P of the Building Regulations. Some work is notifiable, such as adding a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit, or some work near a bath or shower. Notifiable work must either be done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, or be checked by building control at your local council.
Check they are registered
Competent person schemes for electricians include NICEIC and NAPIT. You can check whether an electrician or business is registered at electricalcompetentperson.co.uk. Make sure they are registered for domestic work.
The certificates you should get
After the work, you should get an Electrical Installation Certificate for new circuits and larger jobs, or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for smaller jobs. For notifiable work, the scheme should also send you a Building Regulations compliance certificate. Keep these: you may need them when you sell your home.
Checking existing wiring
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) checks the condition of the existing wiring. Landlords in England must have one carried out at least every five years and give a copy to their tenants. Homeowners may want one when buying an older house or before major work.
Solar panels, batteries and EV chargers
Check the installer is certified for that kind of work. To be paid for electricity you export under the Smart Export Guarantee, your solar panels will usually need to be installed by an installer certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Ask who will tell your electricity network operator about the installation.
Before you agree
- Get a written quote that says what is included, such as making good plaster after new cables are run.
- Ask whether the work is notifiable and who will notify it.
- Ask what guarantee is offered, and whether it is insurance-backed.
- Check they have public liability insurance.