Lighting & Power Electricians

To make sure that internal power and lighting jobs are safe there are electrical standards in the UK that have to be complied with. In England and Wales these rules are called Part P and are part of the building regulations. In Scotland, you need to apply for a warrant from your local council before you start for many electrical jobs and you then submit a certificate once the work is complete. Domestic internal power and lighting services typically include fusebox replacement, house re-wiring, house extensions, shower or bathroom extractor fan replacements, internal lighting solutions, ring main check and alterations, new power sockets fitted, internal lights added, light fittings installed, protection circuits and new kitchen & bathroom lighting. In addition, safety checks are required at least every 10 years on domestic properties, you should need an electrician to check your electrics are safe and up to date, then to issue a certificate showing the inspection has been carried out to approved standards.

Electrician Prices Guide

Rates for electricians will vary depending on which part of the country you live and the electrician you hire. Electricians and electrical companies will either charge an hourly rate or a price per completed job. In most cases, it’s better to hire an electrician that will quote per job as hourly costs can spiral if there are any problems. The average hourly rate for an electrician in the UK is currently £31, but in terms of fixed prices per job installing a double electrical socket will cost between £120 and £210, wiring a new three-bed house is around £2,500, light fitting typically costs around £50, fusebox (consumer unit) replacement costs from £200 to £400, whereas to fit a new pull cord wall or ceiling extractor fan will cost around £320.00 (add another £80 or so if you need a window mounted fan for glazing costs).

The NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) recommends having your household electrics checked at least once every 10 years, the electrical installation condition report costs from around £100 (depending on the size of the property) and checks that circuits aren’t overloaded and makes sure all electrical wiring and appliances are safe to use.

Choosing an Electrician for Internal Lighting & Power Jobs

Recent changes in UK legislation mean that more electrical work than ever has to be carried out by properly qualified electricians. The work electricians can do varies from re-wiring a home from top to bottom, to just adding a new socket or moving a light switch. Electricians need to be able to read and implement wiring diagrams and should be adept at chopping out plaster, drilling through walls, floors and ceilings, creating electrical systems without too much visible wiring.

Electrical qualifications you should look for include Electrotechnical Services NVQ/SVQ at Level 3 and you should also check that they are Part P Registered, which means that they can legally approve electrical work. However there are some really good experienced electricians that may have trained as an apprentice many years ago and therefore won't have the latest qualifications. you should also check whether your electrician is a member of trade organisations such as the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting or the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers.

Both of these organisations allow their members to issue certificates for all work carried out in accordance with national standards. in addition, don't forget to check your insurance policy to see if electrical or plumbing emergencies are covered. If so you must contact the insurance company first as they often have their own registered electricians which they will use which are already vetted. To find competent electricians near you, please use the free quote service on this site to gather quotes from recommended electricians quickly and easily.