Simple Guide to Choosing an Electrician for the domestic electrical work - consumer guide to ordering domestic electrical work

This guide has been produced by the ESC to help you when you want electrical installation work carried out in your home. Before hiring an electrician to do the electrical work you need to be done, it is best to request a quote from him / the company.

Benefits of using the quotation request

• You can provide it to more than one electrician so you can compare quotes.
• The electrician will know exactly what electrical work you want carried out and why.
• The electrician is aware in advance of any special instructions.
• The electrician will be able to give you options if there is more than one way of providing the work you want done.
• Once you have agreed on a quote you can ask the electrician to sign the bottom of the quotation request as confirmation of what has been agreed.
• The quotation request could help to avoid a dispute because both you and the electrician are clear on what work has been ordered.

When Choosing an Electrician - Consumer tips & advice

You may wish to consider the following advice when you are choosing an electrician - some simple tips and advices you may find helpful when choosing the best electrician for the domestic electrical work you need to be done.

• Be clear about the work you want done and, unless the work is minor, obtain at least three written quotations.
• Check that the electrician is approved by a reputable body or registered with a government-approved scheme. Visit www.esc.org.uk or the NICEC website to check.
• Ask for references and check they have public liability insurance of at least £2 million.
• All electrical installation work should be carried out by a competent, electrically trained, person and the work should meet BS 7671 (IEE Wiring Regulations). On completion of the work, a detailed certificate, confirming the work meets with this safety standard, should be issued to you.
• Check whether any new electrical work you need doing comes under the requirements of the Building Regulations for your area. If it does, then you should either use an electrician registered with a government-approved scheme who will take care of everything on your behalf or notify your local authority before the work is started. (Please note that the Building Regulations in England & Wales are different to those in Scotland. Also there are no Building Regulations for domestic electrical work in Northern Ireland)

For more information, leave a comment here, consult the ESC (The Electrical Safety Council) website or the Find a NICEIC approved Electrician link. More tips for the Electrical Safety:

• Tips for Electrical Safety in the Kitchen – Kitchen Safety at Home;
• Tips: Electrical Safety at home, using the Extensions Leads & Adaptors safely;
• Tips: Electrical Safety Outdoors, Avoid Electrical Accidents in the Gardens;
• Download the Full Consumer Search for Domestic Electrician Guide (.PDF format)
• Download Quotation Request Form (printer friendly) (.PDF format)
• Tips: Electrical Safety for those Living in rented accommodation, tenants and landlords.