Most electrical work is hidden behind walls and under floors, so it’s hard to judge quality once the job is finished. That makes the choice of electrician more important than for most trades. These seven checks will help you pick someone you can trust, whoever you end up booking.
1. Are they registered with a competent person scheme?
In England, notifiable electrical work (a new circuit, a consumer unit change, most work in bathrooms) must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. The simplest way to stay on the right side of it is to use an electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT. They can self-certify the work and notify Building Control for you.
Don’t take the logo on a van as proof. Look the business up on the scheme’s own website or on the Electrical Competent Person register before you book.
2. Will you get the right certificate?
Every job should come with paperwork that matches the work:
- an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for new circuits, rewires and consumer unit changes
- a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate for smaller jobs like an extra socket or light on an existing circuit
- a Building Regulations compliance certificate for notifiable work, which arrives from the scheme after the electrician notifies it
Keep these documents safe. You’ll need them when you sell, remortgage or let the property.
3. Do they carry proper insurance?
Ask for public liability insurance as a minimum. For larger projects, ask whether the business has employer’s liability cover and whether completed work is backed by a warranty or an insurance-backed guarantee.
4. Is the quote written and itemised?
A proper quote spells out what’s included: number of points, the make of consumer unit, whether making good and redecoration are included, and how long the job will take. Vague verbal prices are where disputes start. Many jobs can be priced from photos or a short video, so you shouldn’t have to wait a week for a visit to get a number.
5. Can they show real reviews and work?
Look for reviews on independent sites, not just testimonials on their own website, and ask to see photos of similar jobs. A good contractor is happy to point you at both. Endorsement schemes like TrustMark also vet businesses for trading standards and quality.
6. Who will actually turn up?
Some companies sell the job and then hand it to whoever is available. Ask whether the work is done by their own employed electricians or by subcontractors, and who signs off the certificate. You want the person testing the work to be the one taking responsibility for it.
7. Can they handle the knock-on work?
Electrical jobs rarely stand alone. A rewire needs plastering and decorating, a new shower needs a plumber, a kitchen needs several trades. A contractor who can coordinate the other trades saves you managing three diaries and three sets of excuses.
Red flags
- cash only, with no paperwork
- no certificate, or “we’ll send it later” with no date
- pressure to decide on the spot
- a price far below every other quote with no explanation
- reluctance to give a business address or company number
About us
Positive Contractors has been working across London and Essex for around 25 years from our base in Chigwell. We’re an NICEIC Approved Contractor, Gas Safe registered, and accredited with TrustMark, SafeContractor and Constructionline Silver. Our own engineers cover electrical, plumbing and heating, gas, maintenance and full refurbishments, so one call covers the whole job.
Have a look at our electrical services, meet the team, or call 020 8227 0035 to get a quote.
We cover London and Essex, with our own engineers working every day across Chigwell, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Woodford, Ilford, Romford, Brentwood and Epping.