Do I need an electrician to replace light fittings?

cloo

We're going to refurbish our house in summer, but I can no longer stand the ancient hallway light fittings blowing bulbs constantly, so husband has accepted my idea that we just get them replaced now so we can see! An electrician has told us it's the fittings, not the wiring, that is the problem, when he did an electrical survey.


I know the laws changed so most electrical work has to be done by a 'competent person' - as far as I can tell, this doesn't have to be a qualified sparky, but then you presumably can't get any kind of paperwork behind the job and my husband is worried about not having this.


I spoke to a local contractor and they said a handyman could do it, but a sparky would cost much more. The lady on the phone said only a sparky would be certified for Part P, but I'm not clear if that's what's an issue here or not.


I'd like to get the handyman and be done with it, but I don't want to leave us exposed to any problems (NB, we're not likely to be selling this house for at least two decades!) Any advice - links to any respectable website helpful!

SailorSam

If it's only the fitting you should be able to do it yourself.

Doozergirl

^^ What they said.

cloo

My husband normally would do that kind of thing, but he's worried a) about the legal side and b) about what we might find once the lights are taken out. Electrical survey reckoned light wiring would be OK (but sockets all need rewiring) but I think he's concerned there might be a mess underneath.

Ruski

As long as they understand loop-in-out or other variations - 'tis not always as simple as you seem to make out it is!

Yes - any competent /knowledgeable person will be able to do it for you.

HTH

Russ

Ruski

Replacing like-for-like (i.e. a light fitting for another light fitting) there are no 'legal' requirements.

HTH

Russ

DRP

cloo wrote: »

hallway light fittings blowing bulbs constantly

I'd be questioning why the bulbs are constantly blowing.

Have you ever had the electrics checked?

MX5huggy

As said there is nothing stopping you (or your husband) changing the fitting. But if you aren't confident and know for example that the fitting is still live when off at the wall, then get a pro in. If getting a pro I would only consider an electrician, you have a good chance of it being done correctly and any problems that do happen would be delt with.

bsod

what type of bulbs are blowing, and how frequently, what type of light fitting, did the electrician investigate or was it a throwaway comment.

Ectophile

Building regulations part P does not require notification if you're simply replacing things (with the exception of replacing the whole consumer unit, which does need notifying).

So you just need to be competent to do the job. There's no formal legal definition of "competent", so no specific qualifications. If you burn the house down, or electrocute the family, then you're probably not competent. If you know which wire goes where, and can connect them all up properly, then you probably are.

Kiran

100% agree, no legal requirement for a part p spark to undertake the work. I second the sentiment above though if you are going to pay someone to do it you should use an electrician. They will have insurance that covers them whereas I imagine it would be harder to prove competency of a handyman. If you are providing the fitting or just want a standard ceiling rose I can't see it being an expensive job.