The Law Relating to Domestic Electrical Work

Under new building regulations that came into force on 1st January 2005 certain types of electrical work require building control approval.  With certain exceptions, when it is proposed to carry out electrical installation work in a dwelling or an associated garden, conservatory or detached outbuilding in England or Wales, notification of the proposals must be given to a building control body before work begins. The exception is where then work is undertaken by a person or firm registered with a Part P self-certification scheme.

What will happen if I do not follow the Building Regulations?

• The electrical installation might not be safe.
• You will have no record of the work done.
• You may have difficulty selling your home if you do not have the right electrical safety certificates.
• Your local authority's Building Control Department may insist that you put right faulty work.

Why should I use an installer who is registered with a competent person scheme?

• Members of schemes can deal with all the new rules for you.
• Members are qualified to carry out electrical work.
• Members will give you a certificate to confirm their work follows the new rules.
• You will not have to pay Building Control charges.
• You will have the option of taking out an insurance-backed guarantee for the work.
• You will have access to a formal complaints procedure if you are not happy with the work.

Is Your Proposed Electrical Work Notifiable?

Whether or not work is notifiable depends on the nature of the work and its location. Location is important because some locations are considered to have an increased shock risk.

The chart below provides a quick reference guide to whether or not certain items of electrical installation work commonly carried out in or around dwellings are notifiable.

It is stressed that the requirements of the Building Regulations apply to all the items of work listed in the chart, irrespective of whether or not they are notifiable.

	Areas not in a kitchen*, garden or special location†	Within a kitchen*, garden or special location†
A complete new installation or rewire
Consumer unit change
Installing or upgrading main or supplementary equipotential bonding
Installing a new final circuit (e.g. for lighting, socket-outlets, a shower or a cooker)
Fitting and connecting an electric shower to an existing wiring point	N/A
Adding a socket-outlet to an existing final circuit
Adding a lighting point to an existing final circuit
Adding a fused connection unit to an existing final circuit
Connecting a cooker to an existing connection unit
Replacing a damaged cable for a single circuit, on a like-for-like basis
Replacing a damaged accessory, such as a socket-outlet
Replacing a lighting fitting
Providing mechanical protection to an existing fixed installation‡
Installing and fitting a storage heater, including final circuit

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