Fact or fiction? Electrician Myths Explained Pt1
Just like many other specialist contractors, electricians are often misunderstood.
We all use electricity in our homes and offices every day; but when it comes to installing new electrical facilities or fixing an electrical fault, most of us have to rely on the knowledge and expertise of a professional to get it done.
So it’s no surprise that a number of misconceptions have developed around the profession of electricians and around electrical safety in general.
Let’s dive into three of the most common myths; are they fact or fiction?
Electrician Myths #1
‘Electricians make up work to get paid more’
Last time on the JC Electrical UK blog, we demystified the various terms for electrical safety testing and covered the importance of getting an EICR test at least every four years.
But if you need a qualified electrician to carry out the testing for you, won’t the electrician just make up or exaggerate faults so they can earn a bigger paycheck for fixing them?
We have no doubt that some less scrupulous contractors in the industry do this. However, as long as you choose a qualified and accredited electrician, you’re unlikely to be exploited for unnecessary electrical work.
You’re always free to get a second opinion from another electrician – and most importantly, if your EICR does find any faults, you don’t need to use the same electrician who carried out the test to fix them.
There’s also no legal obligation to act on the recommendations in your EICR report (although there are serious penalties if you’re found to have put staff or tenants in danger as a result of ignoring the recommendations).
Plus, once the remedial works are done, you don’t need another EICR to test the newly repaired system. All you need is the EICR report detailing the faults, and either an electrical installation certificate (EIC) or minor works certificate (MW) documenting the repair work provided.
In any case, always be sure to get an EICR report document from your electrician at the end of your EICR test. If they don’t issue reports or refuse to share the results of the test, they’re probably taking advantage!
Electrician Myths #2
‘You don’t need an electrician – you can do it yourself’
Is it legal in the UK to carry out electrical installations and/or repairs by yourself?
Yes.
Is it a good idea to carry out electrical work by yourself?
Probably not.
The major safety risks of working with electricity are obvious; but there’s also several legal hoops to jump through, which can make DIY electrical work a lot more expensive and time-consuming than you might have thought.
For domestic electrical installations/repairs, all the work you do must meet Part P of the Building Regulations, and all wiring must comply with IET wiring regulations as set out by the BS7671 standard.
You’ll also need to notify your local authority’s building control department before carrying out certain ‘major’ works; such as installing a new circuit or fusebox.
Your local authority will then come out to test and confirm your work meets the Building Regulations. You’ll need to pay a fee to the local authority in order to do this; and even then, there’s no guarantee that they’ll certify your work.
Alternatively, you can get a registered electrician to certify your work; but you’ll still need to let them know in advance of carrying out the work, you’ll still have to pay them a fee, and you may still miss out on certification if your work isn’t up to the Building Regulations standard.
Many electricians are hesitant to put their own seal of approval on DIY work; and of all the regulatory bodies for electricians, only NAPIT and Stroma are currently authorised to run third party certification schemes.
If your work doesn’t meet the Building Regulations, you could be ordered to redo or even remove the works by your local authority. And if you plan on moving house any time in the near future, any electrical work which has gone uncertified will be a huge red flag for buyers.
Electrician Myths #3
‘You can save money by choosing an unregistered electrician’
This is a bit like spending money on a lottery ticket because you’ll make your money back if you win.
Hiring an unregistered electrician is a huge gamble. If they don’t have the appropriate training and certification, they can wreak havoc on your property; causing long-term problems which require expensive repairs down the line.
Poor-quality work can also create shock and/or fire hazards within your property; which can be financially devastating and life-changing if not fatal.
And since many unregistered electricians are also uninsured, you have no protection if things go wrong. The electrician may even be able to take you to court if they’re injured on your property.
Always check that your electrician is qualified and accredited with one of the UK’s government-approved regulatory bodies for electricians; such as NICEIC, NAPIT or Stroma.
These electricians have the knowledge, skills and training to provide trustworthy electrical services. Their work is regularly inspected to ensure it meets safety and quality standards; and they’re always insured for total peace of mind.
Keep up with all the latest posts from the JC Electrical UK team by following us on LinkedIn – and if you need a reliable electrical contractor for a repair or a new installation, get in touch on 0208 839 9561 or info@jcelectric.co.uk for a quote today.
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