When Do I Need to Find an Electrician?
Electrical Jobs in the Bathroom, Kitchen or Garden
Aug 12, 2009
Any house renovation work is likely to involve electrical installations to a greater or lesser extent. A small job might be putting in an extra plug socket or changing a light fitting or switch. No matter how small the job you should consider paying a professional, qualified electrician unless you are quite sure of what you are doing.
If you are intending to undertake electrical Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) you must check the regulations in your area to ensure your work complies and whether the work needs to be checked or registered.
Electrical Jobs in the Kitchen & Bathroom
Examples of the sort of work an electrician might be required for include installing, replacing or moving:
- an electric shower, electric heater, electric under-floor heating
- light fittings, plug sockets and switches
- hair drier, shaver and toothbrush points
- any other new appliances which require their own electricity supply.
Installation of Electrics in the Garden
Plug sockets and lighting are useful and a minimum electrical requirement in most modern gardens. Garden appliances could include pumps for water features; pond filters; fixed, all weather speakers; and outdoor cinema equipment.
Domestic Electrical Work & Part P Building Regulations
The Building Regulations, which apply in England & Wales, require that any electrical work which takes place in a kitchen, bathroom or garden must be notified to the Building Regulation Department (B.R.D.) of the local authority under Part P. This is because of the potential risk to health and safety. These are obviously deemed to be the most dangerous areas of the house in that the risks of electricity are compounded by risks from water, steam, humidity and precipitation.
In these areas electric work which requires notification includes minor work which does not involve the addition of a new circuit, includes moving plug sockets and excludes changing a light bulb.
In other rooms of the house minor electrical works can be carried out without notification. B.R.D. but any new installation requiring its own circuit is notifiable regardless of the room.
If you plan to install a kitchen, bathroom or ensuite in a room where it previously did not exist then Building Control must be informed. The building regulations implications are not just with regards to electrical work in these rooms but at the very least will also include drainage standards and ventilation.
How to Notify Under Part P of Building Regulations
There are three routes to notification, the first is most simple.
- Employ a qualified electrician to do and test the work. The electrician will notify the relevant bodies and you will receive a certificate through the post.
- Contact the B.R.D. to discuss the work and any fee that they will charge for inspection, prior to the electrical work being done. The B.R.D will arrange and inspection but the fee may be prohibitively high.
- Before undertaking the work on a D.I.Y. basis come to an agreement with a local qualified electrician who can test and notify the work. There will be a fee. Depending on the work involved it may be most cost effective to simply pay the electrician to do the whole job.
In the U.K. an electrician should be registered with the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC). Other countries and states will have similar organisations.
When Should a Home Renovation Require an Electrician?
It is possible for an unqualified enthusiast to complete excellent, safe electrical installations and modifications. Before undertaking such work, however, the homeowner should check the local laws and regulations.
When the laws require testing and notification of electrical work it is most advisable to obtain quotes, because employing a professional may save time and money.
When ever there is any doubt about the D.I.Y. competence then the expert should be employed because mistakes can prove fatal to the people who enter the house or use the garden.
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