Sectors

Top 10 Electrician Tips for Consumers

• Check they are a member of a trade association
The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) is the main trade association for electricians in the UK. You can also check if your electrician is registered with the NICEIC which has over 20,000 approved contractors throughout the UK. Registration with the NICEIC is voluntary but demonstrates a commitment to high standards.
• Make sure they're insured to work in your home
If someone is working on the electrics in your home you'll want to make sure they are insured to do so in case anything goes wrong. Ask to see their insurance certificate and don't just take their word for it.
• Agree a price in writing for your electrical work
The tip is particularly relevant if you're having a lot of electrical work carried out in your home as opposed to just a basic repair. It's wise to have a written agreement for the work in order to fall back on if there's any discrepancy in the final amount you get billed.
• Don't rely on over the phone quotes
If you call an electrician to quote for a job and they give you a price over the phone without even coming to have a look at what's wrong you should be wary. The job may well be simpler than expected, but if you've agreed a certain price in advance then you'll be expected to pay that amount.
• Leave it to the professionals
For most people hiring an electrician to come out to their home is an expense they could do without. It can be tempting to have a go yourself but unless you're qualified and know what you're doing you could be putting yourself and others in danger.
• What to do in an emergency
When you need to call an electrician out of normal working hours for an emergency job you should still phone at least 3 companies for quotes as they may vary considerably. It's a good idea to have a few emergency electricians' numbers stored in your mobile just in case you ever need them.
• Get references for larger jobs
If you only need a small electrical job done in your home such as adding a new socket, you may not want to go to the trouble of asking for references. However, for larger jobs such as a complete re-wire of your home it's best to ask for references and contact them yourself if you can.
• Have someone else at home with you
This tip applies to all trades and not just electricians. Whenever you're having a stranger come into your home to work it's best to have a friend or family member with you for security.
• Make alternative arrangements
Living without electricity in your home or part of it can be very difficult especially if you have small children. It's therefore a good idea to arrange alternative accommodation if you're having a large electrical job done at home.
• Look for a landline phone number and address
For your own peace of mind it's best to look for a landline number and postal address when you're ringing up an electrician. If you call one you've seen in an advert that only has a mobile number, you should ask yourself what they are trying to hide.