Choosing The Right Electrician
Having made the decision to carry out electrical works, it is important to ensure that this important job is completed by a competent electrician.
It is important to hire an electrician that is fully qualified and registered with a regulatory body. The NICEIC keeps a register of their members that you can check if you are in any doubt.
A Regulatory body provides you with the assurance that the company is not a fly by night outfit as they would have had to comply with various requirements before joining.
It is important that they know and adhere to the IET and the Building Regulations. If the work is not carried out in compliance to the regulations it could be dangerous. Also, you may have a problem if the authorities find out and could have to rip it out and do the work over again. It could also be a problem if you try to sell the house or business, or have an inspection (building control / letting agents / health & safety / insurance).
Remember, an NICEIC approved electrician will give you the following:
- A safe electrical installation that complies with the latest electrical wiring regulations
- A safe electrical installation that complies with the latest building regulations
- A fully verified, inspected & tested electrical installation – complete with signed electrical certificate which validates the electrical installation
- Submission to Local Area Building Control / Building Inspector (if required)
What will happen if I do not comply with the Building Regulations?
- If you do not comply the work will not be legal. You could be prosecuted and could face a fine of up to £5000.
- The work may not be safe, could cause health problems, injury or even death. It may also not meet energy efficiency standards.
- If work is found to be faulty your Local Authority could insist you put it right at your own expense.
If the work has not been notified to a Building Control Body or carried out by a Competent Person Scheme registered installer the Local Authority will have no record that the work complies with Building Regulations. These records will be important when you come to sell your home or business as you may be asked to provide certificates of compliance with the Building.
NICEIC stands for the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, which is one of several organisations put in place to regulate the training and work conducted by electrical enterprises in the UK.
As the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry, NICEIC has been in place for over 50 years, assessing the competence of electrician practitioners across the United Kingdom.