Wondering how to choose the right electrician to carry out works in your home? Read on for advice from the NICEIC experts.
Technical Team | NICEIC
Many people are unaware that in the UK, there is no official regulatory body governing electricians – belonging to a certification body like NICEIC is purely voluntary. This contrasts with other trades – like gas engineers, for example – which are legally regulated, with all gas engineers required by law be on the Gas Safe Register.
This lack of regulation of the electrical trade means that anybody can say they are an electrician, leaving unwary homeowners vulnerable to unsafe and uncompliant electrical work. In this article, the experts at NICEIC offer some valuable advice on finding a competent, qualified electrician to carry out works safely in your home.
When you choose an NICEIC-registered electrician, you can be assured:
That’s where independent reviews on platforms like Google, Trustpilot or Feefo come in very handy. They will offer more information about other homeowners’ experiences of your chosen electrician – for example, whether they were polite, arrived when they said they would, and completed the project to a good standard and in a timely manner.
Not only will this enable you to select a business that suits your budget, but it also gives you the chance to get a feel for how they operate and whether you’re comfortable having them in your home. You can assess how promptly they respond to enquiries, invite them over to view the job, and see if you get on well together before making a final decision.
The NICEIC Find a Trusted Tradesperson Tool allows you to send the same job request to multiple businesses with just a few clicks. It’s an ideal way to reach out to several businesses at once and get the ball rolling, saving you the hassle of spending ages sending multiple emails or filling out endless forms on different websites.
The businesses you approach will receive an automated email which they can accept or reject depending on their availability. Either way, you’ll receive an automated confirmation email to keep you in the loop. If a business is available, they’ll be in touch to discuss the project further and provide a quote. Simple as!
When it comes to electrical work, it’s well worth putting the effort in now to avoid hassle and disappointment later down the line – and of course, to keep you, your home, and your family safe.
This lack of regulation of the electrical trade means that anybody can say they are an electrician, leaving unwary homeowners vulnerable to unsafe and uncompliant electrical work. In this article, the experts at NICEIC offer some valuable advice on finding a competent, qualified electrician to carry out works safely in your home.
1. Choose an NICEIC-registered electrician
NICEIC-registered electricians are committed to upholding the highest of standards and are assessed on an annual basis to ensure they are continuing to undertake safe, high-quality, and compliant work.When you choose an NICEIC-registered electrician, you can be assured:
- their business is assessed annually by an experienced NICEIC assessor to ensure they meet stringent quality and technical requirements
- they are backed by NICEIC’s Platinum Promise guarantee
- their business has comprehensive insurance to protect you and your property in the unlikely event of accidental damage or injury.
2. Look at independent reviews
As a voluntary certification body, we assess electricians to ensure they have the essential skills and competencies needed to carry out safe, compliant electrical work. We don’t, however, have any jurisdiction over how they run their business.That’s where independent reviews on platforms like Google, Trustpilot or Feefo come in very handy. They will offer more information about other homeowners’ experiences of your chosen electrician – for example, whether they were polite, arrived when they said they would, and completed the project to a good standard and in a timely manner.
3. Request multiple quotes
Especially for larger and more complex projects, it’s always worth shopping around and comparing quotes.Not only will this enable you to select a business that suits your budget, but it also gives you the chance to get a feel for how they operate and whether you’re comfortable having them in your home. You can assess how promptly they respond to enquiries, invite them over to view the job, and see if you get on well together before making a final decision.
The NICEIC Find a Trusted Tradesperson Tool allows you to send the same job request to multiple businesses with just a few clicks. It’s an ideal way to reach out to several businesses at once and get the ball rolling, saving you the hassle of spending ages sending multiple emails or filling out endless forms on different websites.
The businesses you approach will receive an automated email which they can accept or reject depending on their availability. Either way, you’ll receive an automated confirmation email to keep you in the loop. If a business is available, they’ll be in touch to discuss the project further and provide a quote. Simple as!
Enjoy peace of mind with the right electrician
Ultimately, picking the right electrician will provide you with peace of mind that the job will get done properly and safely – no shortcuts in sight. Use tools like the NICEIC Find a Trusted Tradesperson tool to check your electrician’s credentials and do your homework; don't just settle for the first person who pops up online. A reliable tradesperson should do the work well, keep to deadlines and keep you informed, not leave you guessing or chasing for updates.When it comes to electrical work, it’s well worth putting the effort in now to avoid hassle and disappointment later down the line – and of course, to keep you, your home, and your family safe.
