What to look for in an electrician
- NICEIC or NAPIT registration — These are the two main competent-person schemes for electricians in England and Wales. Registration means the electrician is regularly assessed and can self-certify notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
- Part P compliance — Any electrical work in kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoors — and any new circuit installations — must comply with Part P. A registered electrician can self-certify; an unregistered one must involve Building Control, adding cost and delays.
- 18th Edition qualification (BS 7671) — The current wiring regulations standard. Any working electrician should hold a current 18th Edition certificate. Ask to see it — the certificate has an expiry date.
- Public liability insurance — Look for at least £2 million cover. Professional indemnity insurance is a bonus, especially for design work on larger projects.
- EICR and testing competence — If you need an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), confirm the electrician holds a City & Guilds 2391 (Inspection and Testing) or equivalent qualification.
- Specialist experience — EV charger installation, solar PV wiring, and commercial three-phase work all require specific experience. Ask whether the electrician has done similar jobs recently.
Questions to ask before hiring
- Are you registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or another competent-person scheme? This is the single most important question. Without scheme membership, any notifiable work will require separate Building Control involvement, which adds cost and time.
- Will I receive an electrical installation certificate on completion? For new installations, you must receive a BS 7671 Electrical Installation Certificate. For additions to existing circuits, a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate is required. No certificate means no proof of compliance.
- How will you handle the consumer unit upgrade? If the job involves a new consumer unit (fuse board), it must comply with Amendment 3 of BS 7671 — specifically, the enclosure must be non-combustible (typically a metal unit). Ask about RCD protection and circuit labelling.
- What is your approach to testing and commissioning? A competent electrician will test every circuit before energising. Ask whether they will provide test results (Zs, Ze, R1+R2, insulation resistance values). If they look puzzled, find someone else.
- Can you confirm the work will be notified to Building Control? Notifiable work must be registered within 30 days. A competent-person-scheme member handles this automatically. If your electrician is not registered, you need to arrange a Building Control inspection yourself.
Red flags to watch for
- Claims Part P does not apply to your job. Part P covers all domestic electrical work in England. If an electrician says it does not apply, they either do not understand the regulations or are trying to avoid compliance.
- No competent-person scheme membership. An unregistered electrician can still do the work legally, but you will need to pay for Building Control involvement. More importantly, it suggests they have not been independently assessed.
- Refuses to provide test results. Post-installation testing is not optional. If an electrician finishes a job and cannot provide Zs, insulation resistance, and RCD trip-time readings, the work has not been properly commissioned.
- Uses non-standard materials. Cheap cable, non-branded MCBs, and uncertified accessories fail more frequently. Ask what brands they use — reputable electricians typically use Hager, MK, Schneider, or similar.
- No written quote or breakdown. Electrical work can involve hidden costs: first-fix, second-fix, testing, certification. A quote should separate these so you know exactly what you are paying for.
What to expect on costs
Electrical costs depend on the scope. Adding a double socket might cost £80–£150, while a full house rewire ranges from £3,000–£6,000 for a three-bedroom property. Consumer unit replacements typically run £350–£600. EV charger installations range from £800–£1,200 after any available grants.
For a detailed breakdown, see our full cost guide.
Find rated electricians in Kent
- Electricians in Kent — county-level directory
- Electricians in Maidstone
- Electricians in Canterbury
- Electricians in Dartford
- Electricians in Tunbridge Wells
- Electricians in Ashford
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