If your home or business has some sort of electrical problem, you should always enlist the services of a professional to come and fix the fault. This is due to the fact that working with or near electricity can result in serious or fatal injury if you don’t take the necessary precautions.
Today’s stringent regulations relating to electricity mean that you must not perform all but the most basic of work, or other electrical tasks, yourself, save for changing a lightbulb and the like!
However, while choosing to book an electrician is one thing, making sure they are capable of carrying out the work to a safe and acceptable standard is another. You might be surprised to hear that some people (13 per cent according to a recent survey) do not look for an ID linking the electrician to a government-approved Part P scheme.
But what else should you look for when hiring an electrician in London or elsewhere across the UK?
Ask for references and lookat reviews
When on the look out for an electrician, a lot of people will ask their friends and family members for a recommendation. In fact, 67 per cent of people rely on word of mouth when hiring an electrician. Even so, this doesn’t mean to say you will end up with an adept or accomplished tradesperson.
Therefore, always ask for letters of satisfaction from previous customers or pictures that demonstrate their workmanship. With Book a Builder UK, where you can find an extensive database of electricians in London and beyond, each listing features reviews from previous customers too.
Shop around for the best quotes
Unless you have got lots of money to spare, finding an electrician for as cheap as possible is bound to be a prime concern. However, electricians that undercut the competition might not carry out work to a high standard and could leave your home or business unsafe.
So, follow Electrical Safety First’s advice and obtain quotations from at least three electricians to receive competitive yet reasonable prices. This way, you will also get to know the electrician, which can help build trust and confidence in their ability.
Make sure they are registered, qualified, and accredited
First of all, be certain that your choice of electrician is with Registered Competent Person Electrical, as this demonstrates they have passed an assessment process to prove their proficiency. Secondly, electricians in England and Wales must adhere to Part P building regulations, which is another assessment process that appears on the ElectricSafe and Electrical Safety Registers.
Last but not least, competent person schemes provided by NAPIT, NICEIC and ELECSA can also give you added peace of mind.
Don’t forget about insurance and certification
In order to protect you and your home or business from any mistakes, find out whether the electrician has public liability insurance and ask to see paperwork that confirms this. Some customers will want their electrician to provide a warranty on their work as well, but this is up to you.
But irrespective of any warranty, the electrician should give you a certificate that confirms their work meets UK Safety Standards. Follow these steps and you can rest assured that any electrical work will be performed to a highstandard.
Find a local Electrician nearby in London and elsewhere
To find an electrician nearby in London, or elsewhere try Book a Builder UK. It is a UK tradesman’s online directory where you are sure to find the right person in your local area, with the right qualifications, experience and testimonials to get your electrical job done safely. Using such an established online directory means you can easily search for exactly what you are looking for, from Builders and Plumbers to Electricians and Roofers. They are all there, under one roof, listed and waiting for your call.
