Looking for a sparkie to fix your fusebox? Whether you need your whole house rewired or just need a few small electrical jobs carried out it is important you know where to turn to for help. In the past many people attempted electrical jobs themselves but all too often this work would be done badly and lead to electrical fires, electrocution and in extreme cases death. Today all electrical work needs to meet UK national standard BS 7671 and for this reason it is essential that you employ a competent electrician to carry out any electrical work. Unfortunately there are a lot of unscrupulous unskilled electricians out there which is why it is so important to find one that is able to work safely in your home. Choosing an electrician that is registered with a government-approved scheme is a great idea for the following reasons:
A Registered Electrician:
1. Will carry out all electrical work to British Standard BS 7671
2. Will be authorised to self-certify that their work is compliant with current Building Regulations.
3. Will have their work regularly assessed to ensure ongoing competence
4. Will be able to issue a BS7671 certificate
5. Will have valid insurance including public liability insurance
6. Scheme operator will have a complaints procedure. They will investigate complaints made about electricians registered under their schemes who have not met the required standards
There are a number of different ‘Registered Electrician Schemes’. These are some of the better-known ones.
1. Registered Competent Person Electrical
2. NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
3. SELECT (The Electrical Contractors Association of Scotland)
Unfortunately there are still dodgy electricians out there who claim to be members of a scheme but aren’t. It is therefore essential that you always check that an electrician claiming to be a member of a scheme is actually a member and is not just using their logo fraudulently. To confirm membership you can easily go on to the scheme website and by entering their company name you should find their details listed. Some schemes even have a wall of shame displaying details of fraudulent electrical companies.
Other Useful Trusted Tradesmen Schemes
There are other schemes which can provide reassurance with regards to customer satisfaction, reliability and value.
1. Which Trusted Traders
This is the largest independent consumer organisation in the UK. All Which Trusted Traders members must provide references, selected at random, from previous customers and have traded for a minimum of six months. The scheme also runs financial and trading history checks on companies wishing to join the scheme. Customer reviews can be viewed for companies in the scheme and provide ratings on quality, customer service and value for money.
2. Edinburgh Council’s Trusted Trader Scheme
This scheme is Council backed and supported by Police Scotland. It is similar to other council run schemes throughout Scotland and give customers the re-assurance that a company has been thoroughly vetted by local Trading Standards Officers.
If you are looking for a competent electrician to carry out work in your home or business Capital City Electrical can help. We are members of Registered Competent Person Electrical, NICEIC, Which Trusted Traders and Edinburgh Council’s Trusted Trader Scheme. Get in touch or give us a call for advice and a free no obligation quote.