how to choose a local electrician
Everything you need to know before letting an electrician start working for you...
It can be a daunting task when having to get tradespeople in to carry out work for you. Maybe it's in your home, office, shop or school, you need to know you have the best person. Unfortunately, tradespeople all tend to get painted with the same brush as a result of such TV programmes such as 'Watchdog' or 'Rogue Traders'. Whilst, of course, there are still too many 'rogues' out there working, there are also a lot of excellent tradespeople who do a brilliant job.
To ensure you get the very best professional electrician, or other trades, in your property, follow this simple guide:
1. Make Sure They Are Qualified
Electrical installation is one of the most regulated trades on site because of its very dangerous nature. To train as a professional electrician takes a four-year City and Guilds apprenticeship and many qualifications. You wouldn't want a surgeon operating on you who wasn't fully qualified, so why settle for an electrical contractor who's not fully qualified?
Unfortunately, there are still lots of 'local electricians' out there claiming to be approved electricians who haven't completed the correct training.
Ask to see their certificates and qualifications.
You can see all of my qualifications and certificates by clicking here.
2. Are they an NICEIC Approved Contractor?
The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) regulates the training and work of electrical enterprises in the UK. The NICEIC is given Government approval to offer Competent Person Schemes to oversee electrical work within the electrical industry.
An Electrical contractor has to register with the organisation to become approved contractors and an approved electrician, meeting the NICEIC's specification of training. If work undertaken by the approved contractor is not up-to-standard, the NICEIC will correct it if necessary. Samples of work are checked every year under close inspection from the NICEIC local engineers to ensure that that the electrician is safe and competent.
The electrician will issue you an NICEIC certificate for the work they've completed and any work carried out in a domestic house is automatically certified to Part P of the building regulations.
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Only registered electricians can submit work to building control.
I'm proud to say I am an NICEIC Approved Contractor and NICEIC Domestic Installer.
3. Check They Have Public Liability Insurance
Every tradesperson has to have public liability insurance to cover them for accidents or faulty work. Electricians have to have a minimum of £2 Million cover. Ask to see the insurance certificate if you're concerned to cover them for electrical services.
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I'm glad to say I have a public liability policy that covers me for £5 Million.
4. Check for DBS Clearance
DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service and was previously known as the CRB, Criminal Record Bureau. It runs checks on people to see if they have any history of criminal records or have a record of some sort.
If you're concerned about having a stranger in your premises, ask if they have DBS clearance.
I'm proud to say I have a full and enhanced Disclosure Clearance from the DBS.
You can see the certificate by clicking here.
5. What do other people say about them?
Check out the tradesperson's customer testimonials and reviews. Look on their website to see if they have a page with quotations from happy customers. It's always good to see what other people's experience of that tradesperson's services is.
Check out what my customers say about me on the 'What People Say' Page