How to Choose an Electrician in London (Without Getting Stung)

Anyone can call themselves an electrician in the UK. There is no protected title. That single fact explains most of the horror stories, and it means the checks you do before booking matter more than the price you are quoted.

Check registration, not just a logo

Competent person schemes, NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, STROMA, allow an electrician to self-certify notifiable work under Part P. Every scheme has a public online register. Search the company name yourself rather than trusting a badge on a van; badges are easy to buy and registrations lapse.

What a real quote contains

• A scope: which circuits, which rooms, what is and is not included
• Named materials, 'consumer unit' is not a specification; 'metal 18th Edition board with individual RCBOs and SPD' is
• Whether testing and certification are included (they should be)
• Whether making good, chasing and plastering are included (usually not, check)
• Payment terms. Never pay for a full job up front. A materials deposit on a large project is normal.

Red flags

• Cash-only, no written quote, no company details or address
• Pressure to decide today, or a 'discount' that expires within the hour
• A quote given over the phone for an EICR remedial job with no survey
• Reluctance to provide certificates 'because it's only a small job'
• A price dramatically below everyone else. Something is being left out, and it is usually the testing.

Questions worth asking

1. 1Which scheme are you registered with, and what is your registration number?
2. 2Will the work be notified to Building Control, and who receives the certificate?
3. 3Are you insured, and to what value?
4. 4Who is actually attending, you, or a subcontractor?
5. 5What happens if you find something unexpected once the wall is open?

The answers tell you more than any review score. Though reviews still matter, look for detail rather than volume. A hundred one-line five-star reviews say less than ten that describe punctuality, tidiness and clear explanation.

“Top service. Everything was done properly and they didn't cut corners and they made it all easy from start to finish. Good communication, turned up on time and did exactly what they said they would. Hard to find that these days.”

At AmpCore we quote in writing, attend when we say we will, and certify everything we do. Call 07938 382020 and judge us on the conversation.