Nearly one in three of us has attempted to carry out electrical work at home, according to a recent YouGov survey. That’s despite 89% of adults saying they agree that doing it themselves could be dangerous.
Figures from charity Electrical Safety First also show that around 11% of fires in the home are caused by faulty electrical installations, which includes wiring, fuse boxes and circuits.
The simplest solution to keeping your home, family and business safe, is to ensure that any electrical work is carried out by a qualified and accredited electrician – here’s what to consider.
What is NICEIC accreditation?
NICEIC stands for National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting. Electricians who are accredited by NICEIC have shown their work complies with UK wiring regulations (officially known as the IET wiring regulations, BS7671). There are several accreditation schemes, but NICEIC is UK’s leading electrical certification body, with around 40,000 members.
To gain NICEIC accreditation, electricians must show their work meets electrical regulations and demonstrate that they follow industry best practice guidelines. To keep their accreditation, they must continue to develop their skills through training; they also undergo strict and comprehensive assessments.
What are the benefits of hiring an NICEIC accredited electrician?
Choosing an electrician can be tricky but hiring an accredited professional means you’ll benefit from:
Safety and compliance standards
Electrical firms with NICEIC accreditation have been assessed for work safety and compliance. It means they are up to date with regulations including UK wiring standards (BS7671) and part P of current building regulations.
Competence and expertise
NICEIC membership means firms must keep up with any new standards that come into effect, and take part in regular professional development and assessments.
Insurance backed warranty
Work carried out by an NICEIC accredited electrician is backed by a scheme known as the Platinum Promise. It means that if the work turns out to be faulty, NICEIC will step in and send another accredited firm to redo the work (at no cost to you).
The scheme has a few terms and conditions, for example, the firm you originally used must have gone out of business. The Platinum Promise also only applies to domestic work within the last six years and up to the value of £25,000.
Independent complaints procedure
As part of their membership of NICEIC, firms must have a clear complaints process and help solve the problem with you. If that doesn’t work or you’re not happy with the response you get, you can take your complaint to NICEIC who will investigate.
Peace of mind
Choosing to gain accreditation helps show that a firm is committed to electrical safety and compliance, as well as working to high standards.
Don’t forget that work is also covered under the NICEIC’s Platinum Promise warranty if there are any unexpected issues.
What is part P of the building regulations?
Part P of the building regulations is about making sure electrical installations are safe and designed to prevent fire or electric shock. Part P covers almost all types of electrical work and applies to any rewiring done to existing installations. This work must then be certified to confirm that it meets building regulations.
If an electrical firm is part of a government recognised scheme like NICEIC, they can check and confirm their work meets part P safety requirements themselves. Being able to self-certify what they’ve done means you can save time and expense, otherwise you’d need to hire a third-party to approve the installation.
Firms that are not part of an approved scheme need to have their work certified by a third party. This could be your local authority’s building control department or a private building control approval business.
Choose Spartek NICEIC accredited electrical experts
NICEIC accreditation isn’t something businesses need by law, so accreditation is often a good way to spot firms that are serious about electrical safety and compliance.
At Spartek, we’re proud to be NICEIC accredited electrical contractors and are committed to working to the highest standards. We can help you with a wide range of electrical installations, including solar panels, rewiring for your home, rental or business premises, and fire safety.
If you’re looking for electrical help and advice, you can find out more in our knowledge hub. If you’d prefer to talk to an expert about your needs, or want a free quote, give us a call on 01953 882 787 or drop us an email at info@spartek.co.uk.
FAQs
What does NICEIC accreditation mean for homeowners?
NICEIC accreditation means electrical contractors comply with safety standards, best practice and are committed to high standards of working.
How can I verify if an electrician is NICEIC accredited?
You can check a contractor is NICEIC accredited by using the NICEIC’s search tool – just type in your postcode or the name of the firm. If they’re registered, they should be on the system. Not all firms are openly listed so if they don’t appear at first, it could be worth checking with the NICEIC by calling their customer service team on 0333 015 6625.
What happens if I experience a problem with an NICEIC accredited electrician’s work?
NICEIC accredited firms must have a clear complaints process and should resolve any problems with you directly. If you’re unhappy with the response you get from your contractor, you can make a complaint to the NICEIC who will investigate.
Any work carried out by an NICEIC accredited contractor is also covered by their Platinum Promise warranty. It means that if work by an accredited electrician is faulty, NICEIC will find another contractor to redo it at no cost to you (conditions do apply).
Is it expensive to hire an NICEIC accredited electrician?
Accredited electricians may charge more for their work compared to other non-accredited firms, but remember that they can also self-certify their work, saving you money in the long run.
Also, don’t forget that accreditation also means firms are regularly assessed to ensure their work continues to meet safety and compliance standards.
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