The introduction of new legislation can be quite daunting and often leave many people feeling a little confused. The introduction of Part P of the building regulations certainly hasn’t been an exception to this. Studies suggest that many householders have found themselves in the dark, not knowing what domestic electrical work they can carry out themselves and when they need to enlist the help of an electrical contractor. So, what is the new regulation and when do you actually need to enlist the help of an electrical contractor?

What is This New Building Regulation?
This new building regulation, Part P, legally requires are that all fixed electrical installations in dwellings are designed, installed, inspected and tested so that they provide protection against risk of fires or a cause of injury. Under the new legislation, all domestic electrical work undertaken must be certified. This can be done either by the homeowner notifying local building regulations before beginning the work and applying to have the completed work inspected or by the electrical contractor registering with one of the five bodies who have been approved to run “Competent Person” schemes, enabling self-certification of the work.

Why Do We Need this Regulation?
The main aim of this regulation is to make it harder for “cowboy” electrical contractors to install electrical works which risk the safety of the inhabitants. On average ten people die each year and approximately 750 are seriously injured during accidents involving unsafe installation of electrical appliances in the home. In 2004 the Government announced a new part to the Building regulations which would address the safety of electrical installation work undertaken in a domestic capacity. Under the new legal framework, specific electrical work in dwellings throughout Wales and England is legally required to be undertaken by persons competent, i.e. electrical contractors, to do the work. Minor jobs like replacing sockets and light switches in low risk areas are not affected. By introducing this regulation it is hoped that the number of deaths and injuries caused by faulty electrical installation will be significantly reduced.

When Do I Need an Electrical Contractor?

The new regulation applies to all fixed electrical installations, regardless of whether the work is undertaken by an electrical contractor or a homeowner doing DIY. Minor electrical work may be exempt but if you are unsure as to what ‘minor work’ entails you can get in contact with your local authority and they will be able to advise you accordingly.

As a householder the main question you need to address before deciding whether or not you need to hire an electrical contractor is who will be undertaking the electrical work to your property. If you are a DIY enthusiast and you or a friend is carrying out the necessary electrical work, you will be obliged to ensure that the work undertaken follows the regulations and that you have notified the local authority building control department.

If you are a householder requiring domestic electrical work and you are not able to undertake the work yourself then you should hire an electrical contractor who is registered with a “competent person scheme”. This means that a “competent person” will be able to undertake the work and then self-certify it. The benefits to you as a homeowner are immense, as using a “competent person” allows you peace of mind that the work undertaken is to a certain standard and will pose minimum risk to your safety within the property. You can rest assured that the “competent person” carrying out the electrical work in your home is a qualified electrical contractor who will fully adhere to the safety regulations laid down in Part P of the Building Regulations. They will also issue a Building Regulation Certificate.

What type of domestic electrical work is exempt from notification?

Minor work, not carried out in a special location, such as:

·         Installation of mechanical protection to existing fixed installations

·         Replacement of existing installation components, sockets, control switches, single-circuit cables

·         Installation of light fittings, switches etc

The first step in your project is to hire the right builder. Use www.findalocal-builder.co.uk to get a list of builders in your area, and then look at our other advice articles to see how to make sure you choose the best builder for you.