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Electricians - what you need to know

An electrician is a tradesperson who installs and maintains electrical systems. Most people know that you'll need an electrician if all signs point to a problem with an electrical circuit (for example if the lights aren't working properly) but they can take care of much more than that.

If you want to revamp your bathroom and get a flash new shower installed, you’ll need someone who’s Part P certified to make sure they’re qualified to carry out the work. Often plumbers and electricians work hand in hand – a plumber installs a new water feed while a Part P registered electrician deals with the electric circuit for the shower, making sure it’s the right choice for the bathroom and safe. If you don’t need a new water feed, you won’t need a plumber.

If you’re looking to heat up your home in the colder months, electricians can also install an electric based underfloor heating system. Electric systems tend to be cheaper than water based systems because the design of them is much simpler and they’re best for areas that are hard to get to. If you’re undergoing a big renovation job, they can also help out with lighting in wet areas, like the bathroom and kitchen. Water and electrics don’t mix so it’s just not worth the risk, and it’s illegal, to attempt an installation job yourself.

Costs for common electrical jobs

We surveyed our tradespeople to give you an idea of the amount you can expect to pay for common electrical jobs. The costs below are an approximate national average.

What is electrical installation?

Electrical installation jobs include:

• Installing a new consumer unit or fuse box.
• Installing a new circuit such as a lighting or cooker circuit.
• Modifying existing circuits in ‘special locations’, like adding an extra power or lighting point. In England, special locations are the spaces around baths and showers. In Wales, kitchens and outdoor spaces also count as special locations.

Planning permission for electrical jobs

Planning permission isn’t normally required for installing or replacing electrical circuits. If you live in a listed building, you should contact your Local Planning Authority before carrying "out any work as different rules may apply.

Insurance for electrical work

Electricians can purchase public liability insurance to cover themselves against any property damage and personal injury claims. This isn’t a requirement for all electricians but to gain a Part P qualification, a tradesperson needs to have at least £2million in public liability insurance.

Questions you should ask an electrician

• Do you have a Part P qualification and can you show me evidence of it?
• Do you have public liability insurance and what does this cover?
• What kind of jobs do you tend to do the most? Can you give me references for previous work?
• Will it be yourself carrying out the work? If not, what experience does the person have and are they covered by insurance?
• Will you give a guarantee for the work and how long does that last?
• Will my home be liveable while work’s being carried out? If not, how long will it take?

See the latest questions that homeowners have been asking electricians.

Electrical advice

Find out whether you can pick up your toolkit or you need to hire a professional for that job you’re considering.