How to hire an electrician: complete guide 2026
How to find, check, and hire a certified electrician safely.
Why hiring the right electrician matters
Faulty electrical work is a leading cause of house fires in the UK, according to fire statistics from the Home Office. Beyond the safety risk, electrical installations carried out without proper certification can invalidate your home insurance and create liability if you sell the property.
The UK electrical industry is regulated under Part P of the Building Regulations. This means that most fixed electrical work in a dwelling must either be carried out by a registered competent person (who can self-certify) or notified to your local building control authority before work starts.
This guide walks you through the process from first contact to signed completion certificate.
How to find a reliable electrician
Personal recommendation: still the most reliable source. Ask neighbours, your letting agent, or local community groups. A recommended electrician already has a verified track record.
Certification registers: the NICEIC, NAPIT, and ELECSA websites all have postcode-searchable databases of registered electricians. These are the most direct way to find someone legally qualified to self-certify Part P work.
Review platforms: Checkatrade, Trustatrader, and Which? Trusted Traders vet tradespeople before listing them and allow homeowner reviews. Read both the 5-star and 3-star reviews for a realistic picture.
Local search: searching "electrician near me" or "NICEIC electrician [your town]" returns local results. Check that the business has a real address and verifiable reviews before calling.
Checklist before accepting a quote
Before committing to any electrician, confirm the following:
1. Valid registration: check the electrician's name or company on the NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA register. Registration should be current, not lapsed.
2. Written, itemized quote: the document must include: full name and business address, registration number, a description of every item of work, materials with specification and price, start and estimated completion dates, and payment schedule.
3. Part P notification: ask whether the work requires notification under Part P and who is responsible for it. A registered electrician self-certifies and gives you a certificate; an unregistered one requires you to notify building control (which adds cost and time).
4. Workmanship guarantee: 12 months is standard. Some electricians offer longer. Get this in writing.
5. Public liability insurance: ask for evidence of current insurance before any work starts. This protects you if damage occurs during the job.
Your consumer rights when hiring an electrician
UK consumer law gives you important protections when hiring any tradesperson:
Right to a written quote: once a quote is accepted, the electrician cannot charge more than the agreed price without your explicit written consent.
Statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015: the service must be performed with reasonable care and skill. If it isn't, you can request a repeat performance or, if that isn't possible, a price reduction.
6-year limitation period: for faulty workmanship, you have up to 6 years to bring a claim in England and Wales (5 years in Scotland).
Completion certificate: for notifiable work under Part P, you are entitled to a building regulations completion certificate. This is required when you sell the property. If an electrician refuses to provide one, this is a red flag.
Dispute resolution: if you cannot resolve a dispute directly, NICEIC, NAPIT, and ELECSA all operate complaints and dispute resolution procedures for their registered members.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check an electrician is NICEIC registered?
Go to niceic.com and use the "Find a contractor" search. Enter the electrician's name, company name, or postcode. The result will show whether their registration is current and which categories of work they are certified to carry out.
Can an electrician charge for the initial assessment?
Yes. Many electricians charge a callout fee of £50 to £100 for an initial assessment, which is often deducted from the final invoice if you proceed with the work. Confirm this before booking.
What should I do if electrical work develops a fault after completion?
Contact the electrician in writing (email or message) describing the fault and when it appeared. Under the Consumer Rights Act, the service must be performed with reasonable care and skill. If the fault is due to poor workmanship, the electrician is responsible for rectifying it at no extra cost within the guarantee period.
Do I need to hire a registered electrician for small jobs?
Not all electrical work is notifiable under Part P. Replacing a like-for-like fitting, adding a socket to an existing circuit in a non-bathroom room, or changing a light switch are typically outside Part P scope. However, any work involving a new circuit, work in a bathroom, or installation near a swimming pool or hot tub must be carried out or supervised by a registered competent person.