Electricians!!! What qualifications???

I believe the important point is that he should be able to show you a certificate to prove that he (personally) has passed the Building Regulations examination Part "P". If he hasn't, then he can't give you a certificate on completion of the work and you won't be able to sell your house without it.

http://www.niceic.org.uk/partp/building_regs.html

"Failure to comply with the requirement will be a criminal offence. Local authorities will also have the power to require the removal or alteration of work that does not comply with the Building Regulations."

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=314330

Did you look at the link contained in my post?

There's a bit of mis-information here.

Electrical contractors may be registered with one of several bodies which offer 'competent person' schemes. These schemes allow the approved contractors to self certify their work and issue certificates of compliance with Part P of the building regs, where necessary. Not all domestic work is notifiable under Part P rules.

NICEIC is one of several bodies approved to provide these Competent Person schemes, there are several others including NAPIT, ELECSA. Not all professional electricians bother to register for these schemes if domestic work is a small part of what they do because it's expensive and the scheme only applies to domestic work.

Some of these bodies provide their own Part P qualifications which they like to promote and call 'Building Regulations Exams'.

It is difficult to say whether the other chap was trying it on to get the job. You could ask to see his certificates. A good electrician will want to check that the present installation is fit to take modifications and comply with BS7671 (16th Ed Wiring Regulations).

There are several sets of qualification routes to becoming a professional electrician depending on when the person started their training. The main qualifications are to have both C&G2381 and C&G2391 together with appropriate experience.

City & Guilds is one of the largest UK bodies that manage and provide nationally recognised vocational training.

If you want a good electrician go by recommendation. One benefit of using someone who is registered on a Competent Person scheme is that they have to provide indemnity cover of at least £3M so that if they are sued they are covered. The down side of that is you will pay more.

Ystrad_Lad wrote:

There's a bit of mis-information here.

Electrical contractors may be registered with one of several bodies which offer 'competent person' schemes. These schemes allow the approved contractors to self certify their work and issue certificates of compliance with Part P of the building regs, where necessary. Not all domestic work is notifiable under Part P rules.

Well said Ystrd lad. Theres lots of rubbish being spouted about Part P at the moment & as you rightly advise not all areas of works in a house require certification.

http://www.partp.co.uk/consumer/consumer_diy.asp

A JIB qualified Electrician should be the minimum standard you would want to employ for works. (Qualified with C&G 236 parts 1 & 2 or equivilent)

Well done...now that you have found a tame electrician you can can pass his name on to friends, family and colleagues...personal recommendation for tradespersons is the best way to go ( works both ways as it also undercovers the 'rogue' customers for the tradesperson as well;) )