ELECTRICAL & ELECTRICIANS REGULATIONS & REGULATORY BODIES UK

Regulatory navigation UK:

Electricians come in many forms. Some electrical services companies only do large fitting out jobs such as new build or renovating houses, some only do jobs like office blocks, some only work on contracts. Other might do small jobs around your house on an hourly rate. It is very important to make sure they are qualified as you might blow up yourself or your loved ones. Or someone else might get killed and you are responsible. So be careful and get all work signed off by a professional.

Small jobs

If you don't know an electrician from a previous job such as kitchen refit or lighting work, ask friends if they know any good reliable ones.

Things to ask an electrician before you employ them:

Are you registered or qualified?
Are you insured for accidents to my property or people (indemnity)?
Do you offer an emergency service?
Is general electrical work or service and repair work your main area of work?
How long do you take to arrive on an emergency?
Do you work nights and weekends?

General questions:

Are all your electricians qualified (some might be trainees or labourers)?
What are your charges, including VAT?
Are there any extra fees for travel (this is important if you are far away from city centres etc)?
Do you charge an overtime rate, if so how much?

You might also ask for references and general information like do they have an office or web site. Small electrical companies might be a couple of guys and a van; larger electrical companies will have a properly organised office with admin staff etc.

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS' ASSOCIATION (ECA)

Address:
ECA,
ESCA House,
34 Palace Court,
London, W2 4HY

Tel: 020 7313 4800
Fax: 020 7221 7344

NATIONAL INSPECTION COUNCIL FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONTRACTING (NICEIC)

Address:
Warwick House,
Houghton Regis,
Dunstable, LU5 5ZX

Tel: +44 (0)870 013 0382
Fax: +44 (0)1582 539090

ELECSA

Owned by Electrical Contractors' Association

Address:
EC Certification Ltd,
Mansfield Business Centre,
Ashfield Avenue,
MANSFIELD, NG18 2AE

Tel: 0845 634 9043
Fax: 0845 634 9039

NATIONAL INSPECTION COUNCIL FOR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CONTRACTING (NICEIC)

Address:
Warwick House,
Houghton Regis,
Dunstable, LU5 5ZX

Tel: +44 (0)870 013 0382
Fax: +44 (0)1582 539090

See also:

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL INSPECTORS AND TESTERS (NAPIT)

Address:
4th Floor,
Mill 3,
Pleasley Vale Business Park,
Mansfield,
Nottinghamshire, NG19 8RL

Tel: 0870 4441392
Fax: 0870 4441427

BUILDING RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT (BRE)

Address:
BRE,
Bucknalls Lane,
Watford WD25 9XX

Tel: +44 (0)1923 664000

BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION (BSI)

Address:
BSI, 389 Chiswick High Road,
London, W4 4AL

Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 9001
Fax: +44 (0)20 8996 7001

ENERGYWATCH

Address:
156, Great Charles Street,
Birmingham, B3 3HN

Tel: 08459 060708
Fax: 08457 581401