Using just an electrician

We first assess the existing and proposed electrical demand and ensure that the existing supply has sufficient capacity.

Doing this properly from the outset will save trouble later on.

It is unlikely that an electrician will do this before providing you with a quotation for the work and therefore this poses the risk that the final price for the work will end up higher than initially agreed. If a price is agreed and subsequently it transpires that the supply doesn’t have sufficient capacity for the new proposed load then the electrician’s quotation will no doubt be increased and if this cost needs to be passed on to the client, it could cause some embarrassment and look unprofessional.

We prepare professional drawings for the new electrical installation together with calculations to prove our design. We also provide a bill of quantities which will detail the length of cables required and all electrical accessories. This information can then be given to electricians so that they can provide you with an accurate fixed price quotation.

As the electrician won’t have drawings and a specification to price, any quotation provided is likely to be estimated end up more expensive in the end. Bear in mind that estimates very rarely end up being cheaper in the end.

We are experts in our field and guarantee that our designs will comply with the Wiring Regulations and also ‘Part P’ of the Building Regulations, so this responsibility is on us. We also carry full professional indemnity insurance.

Assuming the electrician is suitably qualified to design the installation (do check), you will not know if it complies with the Wiring Regulations until it’s too late. Does your electrician have professional indemnity insurance? Check, because I doubt it.

Once the installation work has been completed, we arrange to independently have the installation inspected and tested and issue the required documentation for Building Control compliance. Our survey will also highlight any items which may not have been completed satisfactorily by your electrician. We also carefully check that the installation has been completed in accordance with our design and that the quality for the workmanship is up to standard. Once we confirm that we are satisfied with the installation only then will we approve that you pay your electrician for the work.

Once the installation has been completed, if the electrician is suitably qualified and registered with one of the approved regulatory bodies, they may inspect, test and certify the installation themselves, but you will still not know if the electrician has done a proper job. If any corners have been cut (and I can assure you that in 90% of the cases they are) your electrician won’t tell you. If any problems arise in the future, by this time you would have paid your electrician and it will be difficult to get things rectified.