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Getting involved in electrical jobs in the home can be a dangerous pastime if you are not a qualified electrician. Some jobs may seem obvious but the dangers can be damaging.
It is always wise to get written quotes. Whether you’re having a couple of sockets put in or having a security light put up outside the back door, or spending £1000 or more on a rewire, or extensive electrical work. Get at least three local electricians to quote for the work. Look at the quotes not only in terms of who is the cheapest. Think about other issues such as reputation, or how quickly they hope to get the job done.
Checking to see if light switches or socket outlets are working can be done relatively easily and safely if you have knowledge of how the circuit breakers in your house work. If more complex electrical work is required then you will need the help of a fully trained and competent electrician. If you are in any doubt about your skills then it is always better to err on the side of caution.
1.If you do want to carry out the work yourself then be prepared for the risks. Electric shocks can happen very easily - as can fires and damage in general.
2.Building regulations stipulate that any electrical work done to your home must be undertaken by someone who is able to comply with its requirements. That person must be competent enough to be able to test the safety and functionality of any electrical system installed.
3.If you are using an electrician to finish off jobs that will improve the chances of selling your home then they will be able to provide certificates showing that legal requirements have been met, which can make your house more saleable.
4.If there is any accident within your home and it is the fault of the electrician they he/she will be covered with the necessary public liability insurance.
To ensure quality and safety, certain standards must be met. The British Standards (BS 7671: requirements for electrical Installations must be complied with by all electricians. Professional electricians are registered with government acknowledged schemes like the Electrical Safety Council (NICEIC), the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) or National Association of Professional Inspectors and testers). Hiring someone who adheres to national standards and belongs to a recognised body means you will have the confidence to trust your electrician.
Never be tempted to agree with a tradesman to do a cheaper job “for cash”. Not only is it illegal to try to evade VAT, if the tradesman is happy to fiddle the taxman, is he perhaps happy to rip you off too? It’s always best to have a paper trail when making a payment, so use online banking to make transfers, write a cheque, or get a signed and dated receipt if you prefer to hand over cash.
Taking on jobs around the house by yourself to save money is an admirable tactic. However, there are some jobs like plumbing or plastering which really need the expert touch. When it comes to electrics though, it’s not just a bumpy wall or dripping tap you are risking by trying to take on the work yourself. Getting it wrong with wiring can be very dangerous. Leaving you and the rest of the family at risk of electrocution or electrical fire is likely not the way you want to go.
It’s always better to get the professionals in to do any electrical work at home. Knowing what you can expect to be charged for some of the most common electrical jobs can reassure you that you are getting a good deal. Hopefully professional workmanship is also important to you.
In order to keep you and your family safe, the Building Control department of your local Council will want to know about some of the electrical work you are carrying out at home.
Check with your electrician whether they will need to be informed about the sort of work you are planning. Better still, check with your local building control office yourself. Electrical work in the kitchen and bathroom is likely to fall under these “Part P” regulations. This means someone with appropriate qualifications will have to either install your new shower, cooker or light beside the sink.
You will need to get someone competent to sign paperwork to confirm the installation has been done properly. This could add to the cost, so it is something to be aware of if you are considering electrical work in the kitchen or bathroom in the cost of hiring an electrician.
When it comes to small, routine electrical jobs which will only take an electrician an hour or so to do. It’s probably not worth going through the whole process of asking electricians to submit a written quote for the work. However, email or SMS text message is a good option when deciding which company offers best value for money.
A job such as fitting a security light on the outside of your home will cost around £100. Fitting and checking a new electric cooker will cost around £45. Although it’s not worth getting quotes for these low value jobs, it is always wise to explain to the electrician what you need him or her to do over the phone or on email.
Even if you are quoted an hourly rate, ask how long it will take. Small jobs like adding in a couple of extra electrical sockets or replacing a light fitting will only take an hour or two. If you are supplying the new light fittings or sockets yourself, the price may reduce even further.
Slightly more complex electrical work such as putting in a new electric shower or replacing the consumer unit in your home will take longer. This will, as a consequence cost more. Fitting a new electric shower and running a new cable down to the consumer unit will take around a day. You can expect to pay around £300 if the electrician is supplying the shower.
Fitting a new consumer unit will cost around the same amount. Landlords may require to provide an electrical safety report for a property before it is rented out. Homeowners might commission a report before going ahead with more extensive work. Expect to pay around £180 for a written report on the state of your home’s electrics.
Electrical wiring deteriorates over time. If you are living in an older property there may come a time when you need to have the house completely rewired. This work can be messy and disruptive. It is sometimes better scheduled when you are having other work done too.
As well as being major work, having a home completely rewired can be expensive work. Prices can range from £3500 for rewiring a small two bedroom terrace to £6000 or more for a large four bedroom detached house. Prices for rewiring will vary according to the size of the house.
How easily the electrical wiring can be accessed will also be a factor. Remember to factor in additional costs such as plastering or decorating once the rewire has been completed.
Most electricians will have an hourly rate of between £20 and £40. This is a good rough starting point if you want to try to work out how much you are likely to be charged for a job.
When you are considering a bigger job though, it is always better to negotiate a price to cover the entire job. Knowing that they are being paid when the job is complete gives the electrician the incentive to get the job completed in the most efficient manner, whereas if they are being paid a set amount for every hour they work, it could be argued that they are more likely to work very slowly.
