Many homeowners take their electrics for granted. Faulty electrics can be one of the most dangerous, yet invisible, risks to the home which is why it is imperative to hire qualified, registered contractors who will be able to complete any work to a safe and high standard.
According to research by NICEIC, the UK’s leading name for registered electricians, as little as seven per cent of homeowners in the UK would think to check professional accreditation bodies before hiring a tradesperson. Instead, 30% would take their friends word as a justified recommendation.
Aligned to this, a worryingly 57% of homeowners would feel confident enough to have a go at tackling DIY jobs around the house without any prior experience, with 38% admitting they would even dabble in electrics.
Darren Staniforth, technical expert at NICEIC, said: “It’s shocking to see that so many homeowners will happily hire an electrician without checking for any professional accreditation. Unfortunately, this is something that we have seen a lot of in recent years, with many taking to social media to ask for help.
“While it’s all well and good asking friends for advice, homeowners need assurance that any tradesperson visiting their home is competent to carry out the work required and that their work has been checked and assessed by a recognised approval body. NICEIC-registered electricians provide the ultimate assurance and peace of mind.”
Top four reasons to hire a registered electrician:
1. Cheapest is not always the best
Using an approved tradesperson provides additional assurances that the work will be carried out safely and to the appropriate regulations. You should always get at least three quotes for all work to contrast and compare – but remember, the cheapest is not always the best.
2. Ensuring safety and competence
NICEIC registered electricians are assessed to the highest standards. They undergo a rigorous assessment process, as well as being re-assessed on a regular basis to ensure continued compliance.
3. Compliance with building regulations
Part P of the building regulations requires certain electrical work carried out in the home to be notified to your local building control authority (England and Wales only).
If the homeowner cannot produce the right evidence to prove that the electrical work has been carried out in accordance with the building regulations, then your local building control may insist that the work is re-done at the homeowners cost.
In addition, not having the appropriate certification may cause problems when it comes to selling your home further down the line.
A straightforward way of meeting the requirements is to use an electrician who is registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC. They can self-certify the work and notify the local building control department on your behalf.
4. Platinum Promise
All NICEIC registered businesses are covered by the Platinum Promise – a guarantee that protects the homeowner against all non-compliant installation work. Should any work carried out by a NICEIC registered contractor be found to not comply with the Building Regulations, they can be instructed to return and complete the work to the required standard.
