Getting an electrician

typeractive

Hello,

I've read a bit about hiring tradespeople and it seems clear that good old word of mouth and recommendation seem to favour. Throw in a bit of general 'sussing a character out' and that would usually suffice.

However, I'm a bit stuck as it's not just finding an electrician it's also finding out they have the correct qualifications! I've read about Part P, EIC, NIC...it's all just confusing me! I require a full house rewire in the not too distant future and I want to line up a suitable person with the experience and qualifications. I want to make sure I have not only the certificates but the correct ones if that makes sense. Can anyone recommend the general acceptable standard to look for? Or point me to a standards requirement site?

Any other tips would also be handy. I've had a look at mybuilder.com and posted a job to see if anyone would be interested - I've had quite a lot of replies, which is going to take me some time to filter through and respond, but seems pretty good so far.

Thanks!

zax47

Where in the UK are you? For England and Wales, the site you need for those registered and assessed for qualifications/competence is;

http://www.competentperson.co.uk

This shows those registered with a Part P scheme provider (your work IS notifiable under Part P of the building regulations) and as such they will have had their qualifications and competence (but not their business acumen, punctuality or anything else) assessed.

It's different in Scotland, where Part P doesn't apply

Individuals registered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/Sear...struction&ID=2

{courtesy of the excellent poster, baldelectrician}

For comparative costs, look at this;

http://www.whatprice.co.uk/prices/electrician/full-rewire-3-bed-house.html

but as with anything, get several quotes.

typeractive

Cheers Zax!!

I'm based in North East England so I will have a look on that link. So is NIC / EIC extra stars on their badges? Or is there more to it than that?

I'll also check that estimations link for a bit of a heads up!

Thanks

spirit

....and
http://www.findanelectrician.info/contractor-search.asp

zax47

typeractive wrote: »

Cheers Zax!!

I'm based in North East England so I will have a look on that link. So is NIC / EIC extra stars on their badges? Or is there more to it than that?

I'll also check that estimations link for a bit of a heads up!

Thanks

Not extra stars, no, just the name of the registration company they are registered with.

It is commonly (and incorrectly) believed that NICEIC is "the" electrical certification body in the same way that Corgi (now Gas Safe Register) was/is for Gas, but this is not the case - it is just ONE of SEVERAL registration companies (note: NOT Government bodies or any other "legal" entity - but normal "for profit" companies!) who maintain a register of electricians assessed for qualifications and competence and can thus "self certify" any work they do which is notifiable to Building Control under Part P of the Building Regulations.

If your electrician is suitably qualified ("competent") but not registered with a Part P scheme, then he can still do the work but you will have to contact your local Building Control dept (before work starts!) to have the work inspected and checked and pay their fee (£125-200). This link explains a little more about what electrical work is/isn't notifiable under Part P.

DIY Electrical work, Part P and the "law"

As you might guess, I'm not registered with NICEIC, but with NAPIT. The link in my post lists all the registration companies.

zax47

spirit wrote: »

....and
http://www.findanelectrician.info/contractor-search.asp

Which only shows NICEIC registered sparks - when there are FOUR MORE registration companies!!

http://www.competentperson.co.uk shows those sparks registered with ANY of them. :T

DVardysShadow

zax47 wrote: »

Not extra stars, no, just the name of the registration company they are registered with.

It is commonly (and incorrectly) believed that NICEIC is "the" electrical certification body in the same way that Corgi (now Gas Safe Register) was/is for Gas, but this is not he case - it is just ONE of SEVERAL registration companies (note: NOT Government bodies or any other "legal" entity - but normal "for profit" companies!) who maintain a register of electricians assessed for qualifications and competence and can thus "self certify" any work they do which is notifiable to Building Control under Part P of the Building Regulations.

If your electrician is suitably qualified ("competent") but not registered with a Part P scheme, then he can still do the work but you will have to contact your local Building Control dept (before work starts!) to have the work inspected and checked and pay their fee (£125-200). This link explains a little more about what electrical work is/isn't notifiable under Part P.

DIY Electrical work, Part P and the "law"

As you might guess, I'm not registered with NICEIC, but with NAPIT. The link in my post lists all the registration companies.

A good post - an excellent link - and an essential link from the linked post:

Government circular dispelling some myths.