House rewire - what is the difference between NAPIT, NICEIC and ELECSA?

littlemiss19

Hi everyone,

Have purchased a victorian terrace that is in need of modernising in many ways. The electrics are in shockingly poor shape and in need of a rewire.

I am looking at getting a qualified electrician to do this work,  but none of our neighbours has recommendations. Therefore I will have to try to use checkatrade or a similar service.  Research shows me that we should use an electrician that is registered with a professional body as the local building control department need to be notified and certain standards need to be met. I've managed to find several professional bodies/acronyms and was wondering if someone could help me understand the difference between NAPIT,  NICEIC and ELECSA?

Any other tips on how to find a reputable contractor for this work is greatly appreciated. 

Many thanks,

Little miss.

tasticz

get three quotes, ask for breakdown of work to ensure like for like comparison.

usually websites like checkatrade are more expensive as builders pay to be on there and just because they are on there doesn't mean the quality will be good.

ask local friends or families for recommendations, drive around to see any works happening and speak to the owners doing the work to see if they recommend their builders.

dont pay too much in advance. check their credential on the website to ensure they are legit.

I have heard of NAPIT and NICEIC but not ELCSA.

what you need is a Electrical Installation Certificate EIC and sometimes also called EICR where the R means Report which is what landlords give to tenants. its not mandatory in your own house but good to have.

make sure you get the certificate before you do the final payment. 

FreeBear

littlemiss19 said: I've managed to find several professional bodies/acronyms and was wondering if someone could help me understand the difference between NAPIT,  NICEIC and ELECSA?

They are all "Competent Person" schemes that allow the installer to self certify the work and notify Building Control on completion. ELECSA no longer exists (it was merged with NICEIC last year). For a full and current list, see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised and scroll down to Electrical Installations.

Ectophile

NICEIC has the bigger advertising budget and would like you to think they they are the only electrical safety scheme.  NAPIT is the other one, for electricians who think NICEIC is too expensive in membership fees.

Risteard

FreeBear said:

littlemiss19 said: I've managed to find several professional bodies/acronyms and was wondering if someone could help me understand the difference between NAPIT,  NICEIC and ELECSA?

They are all "Competent Person" schemes that allow the installer to self certify the work and notify Building Control on completion. ELECSA no longer exists (it was merged with NICEIC last year). For a full and current list, see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/competent-person-scheme-current-schemes-and-how-schemes-are-authorised and scroll down to Electrical Installations.

ELECSA still exists, but is being phased out. Existing ELECSA Domestic Installers shall be moved to the NICEIC Domestic Installer Scheme.

The NICEIC Approved Contractor Scheme is the superior scheme, which does not only cover domestic, but also commercial and industrial installations. The other comparable one is the ECA.

canaldumidi

Forget checkatrade. All you'll get is contractors who have paid to be there. What you need is contractors who are actually reliable and competant.

Try the Consumer Association Which?

https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/

Or trading Standards.

https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

FaceHead

canaldumidi said:

Forget checkatrade. All you'll get is contractors who have paid to be there. What you need is contractors who are actually reliable and competant.

Try the Consumer Association Which?

https://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/

Or trading Standards.

https://www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk/

But both of those everyone who's there has paid to be there: For Which? it's from £240 + £62/month, and for tranding standards its from £135 + £21/month. All sites the main sites are money making ventures.

All of these sites (inc. Checkatrade, rated people etc.) would claim they vet traders and make sure they are reliable and competent, but the reality is that the bar is shockingly low. They need to (but sometimes fail to because they're the most persistent) keep out the actual con-men, but also need the site full of paying people. A real person who's work's a bit shoddy and doesn't turn up half the time will get through.

People who are a bit rubbish need the site, and the site needs them. People who are great don't need the site. 

I agree with the approach of peeking at any work you happen to be walking past and noting down details from signs / vans or asking for details for future reference.