Electrician cost for fitting a pendant light?

kittykat500

I have quite a heavy pendant halogen light that I want fitted in my lounge.Anyone know roughly how much would I expect to pay an electrician to fit it in South London area please?

weekendwarrior

It would probably be cheaper if you got an handyman to do this.

A sparks is not needed to do a simple job like this and getting one out to change just one light fitting may be difficult, unless there is one that lives really close to you.

kittykat500

I thought you had to get an electrician these days and have everything certificated?

matimage

Naa, if its simply replacing an existing fitting or adding a spur or something you can do it yourself.

weekendwarrior

For changing a light fitting in a room that is not considered a special location you can get anyone to do it.

Many of the new part p rules are designed to confuse you and make you part with your money.

missyg_3

I don't think you need an electrician for this job either, but just in case this info might help someone, I had an eletrician in for a full day's work (relatively complicated job) a couple of years back and it cost me £300. I am based in the South East.

kittykat500

Thanks to all the replies - unfortunately my 'Thanks' button doesn't work from home! I will try to get a handyman to fit it.

baldelectrician

weekendwarrior wrote: »

It would probably be cheaper if you got an handyman to do this.

A sparks is not needed to do a simple job like this and getting one out to change just one light fitting may be difficult, unless there is one that lives really close to you.

How does a handyman check the Earth Loop Impedance and issue a BS7671 Certificate?
(not a part P cert, as this is building regs)

Have called local electric company out 6 times in 4 years due to bad / no earth.
No earth = dangerous situation.

You do not have to get an electrican in for ALL works, but you may need paperwork to present to the new buyer when you move next.

You should use a competent person for the work, links below
In Scotland:
Individuals regitered;
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/ListAC.asp
Companies
http://www.sbsa.gov.uk/register/SearchCo.asp?T=Construction&ID=2
In England and Wales:
http://www.competentperson.co.uk

HandyGuyElectrical

Although checking the earth loop impedance is part of compliance with BS7671, the current regs *do* allow anyone to change an accessory ( fitting) in any location which is not a "special location" - i.e bathroom, kitchen, or outside.
A reasonable, but unqualified handyman will likely use a continuity meter to ensure the earth is correctly connected. If you go for the cheap option, ensure you enquire about getting the earth on the new fitting checked according to regulations, using a low impedence ohmmeter.

It is also part of the regs that the property has a full periodic electrical inspection upon change of occupancy, which incluses earth loop impedance tests.
So buyers may insist you have this done anyhow wen you sell.

Having said all that, if you are getting an unqualified individual to change an accessory, there is a higher risk involved, and you are definitely advised to get a competent person to do it, even though it costs more.

( please note, the costs are not "becuse they can" - I just moved from Handyman to full domestic installer. The costs of qualification are high for a small trader, and then you have the instrumentation( which has to be recertified yearly) , the documents you are required by law to be in possession of, the insurance, the competent person scheme membership, etc. - it all came to more than my entire years profit as a handyman.)
-Guy

Antispam

why have you bumped up a 3 year old thread HandyGuyElectrical

phill99

Antispam wrote: »

why have you bumped up a 3 year old thread HandyGuyElectrical

No doubt you will be bombarding us with tins of spam shortly?