This article, by suggesting a few simple questions, will point you in the right direction to find a qualified electrical contractor.
More importantly it will guide you to a trusted and experienced electrician.
I will show the benefits of independent electrical trade organisations and what use you can make of them.
Most particularly I will explore The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installations in Contracting (NICEIC).
The Complexities of Electrical Installations Electrical installation is highly technical and has a forest of complex regulations.
If you are not an electrician you cannot possibly be expected to be aware of them.
This means that when we look to re-wire or wire units we rely on trust.
Ask the Simple Questions Wherever there is specialised knowledge there is also ignorance.
Inevitably some so-called tradesmen seek to exploit that.
We see them being exposed regularly on TV but still they persist.
Want to know why? It's because potential customers do not ask the simple questions I will reveal to you later.
The Deadly Cost When these chancers are laying paths they cost us money but the price of faulty electrical installation can be horrifying.
Of all the trades perhaps the highest exposure to risk is the electrician.
By and large the electrical industry is diligent and professional with reputable companies observing the countless safety regulations.
There are, however, some frightening anomalies.
The British Safety Council reported that out of 1000 employees and 250 employers surveyed about half did not have safety systems or training in place.
In fact The Health and Safety Executive say that amongst electricians there are approximately 1000 accidents and 25 deaths a year ...
and they are the experts! False Economies It gets worse.
In these competitive times many people look for the cheaper job.
Ever wonder how some companies can give such low quotes? Read on and make up your own mind.
As in many areas the electrical parts market can be subject to counterfeit products from the Far East.
Economy is often achieved by blatant disregard of British Standards.
If you buy a knock off T-shirt or video you may be simply wasting money.
If you replace safety devices with inadequate parts you risk so much more.
With electrics most people do not possess academic or technical insight.
Quite simply the layman is unable to make an informed choice.
Would you know how to spot a counterfeit RCCD? The reality is those of you who are not electricians do not even know what questions to ask.
Getting Protection It is at this point we call upon the respectable trade associations.
NICEIC is an independent organisation that requires their approved registered members to comply with all British Standards and Building Regulations.
Breeches of the Health and Safety Offences Act Jan '09 can now incur criminal prosecution.
NICEIC give every support to companies to update knowledge of these regulations and encourage on-going training.
To be on the register is, in itself, proof of competency and they keep their members abreast of technical and legal developments.
In short they ask the questions that you cannot.
If your electrical contractor is on their register, it means he has not only satisfied them of a level of competency but he is also subject to annual assessment.
As an added guarantee they have a complaints procedure.
Asking the Simple Questions So what are the simple questions to source a trustworthy electrical contractor? oIs he on a trade register where competency is underwritten? oIs he in receipt of current qualifications? oThere is no substitute for experience.
There are some people who take short courses and style themselves "electricians".
In the trade they are known as "five-day wonders".
Ask how long has your electrical contractor been trading.
oDoes he have evidence of satisfied repeat customers? oHow accessible is the CEO? These simple yet probing questions will ensure you source a reliable, experienced electrical contractor.
More importantly it will guide you to a trusted and experienced electrician.
I will show the benefits of independent electrical trade organisations and what use you can make of them.
Most particularly I will explore The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installations in Contracting (NICEIC).
The Complexities of Electrical Installations Electrical installation is highly technical and has a forest of complex regulations.
If you are not an electrician you cannot possibly be expected to be aware of them.
This means that when we look to re-wire or wire units we rely on trust.
Ask the Simple Questions Wherever there is specialised knowledge there is also ignorance.
Inevitably some so-called tradesmen seek to exploit that.
We see them being exposed regularly on TV but still they persist.
Want to know why? It's because potential customers do not ask the simple questions I will reveal to you later.
The Deadly Cost When these chancers are laying paths they cost us money but the price of faulty electrical installation can be horrifying.
Of all the trades perhaps the highest exposure to risk is the electrician.
By and large the electrical industry is diligent and professional with reputable companies observing the countless safety regulations.
There are, however, some frightening anomalies.
The British Safety Council reported that out of 1000 employees and 250 employers surveyed about half did not have safety systems or training in place.
In fact The Health and Safety Executive say that amongst electricians there are approximately 1000 accidents and 25 deaths a year ...
and they are the experts! False Economies It gets worse.
In these competitive times many people look for the cheaper job.
Ever wonder how some companies can give such low quotes? Read on and make up your own mind.
As in many areas the electrical parts market can be subject to counterfeit products from the Far East.
Economy is often achieved by blatant disregard of British Standards.
If you buy a knock off T-shirt or video you may be simply wasting money.
If you replace safety devices with inadequate parts you risk so much more.
With electrics most people do not possess academic or technical insight.
Quite simply the layman is unable to make an informed choice.
Would you know how to spot a counterfeit RCCD? The reality is those of you who are not electricians do not even know what questions to ask.
Getting Protection It is at this point we call upon the respectable trade associations.
NICEIC is an independent organisation that requires their approved registered members to comply with all British Standards and Building Regulations.
Breeches of the Health and Safety Offences Act Jan '09 can now incur criminal prosecution.
NICEIC give every support to companies to update knowledge of these regulations and encourage on-going training.
To be on the register is, in itself, proof of competency and they keep their members abreast of technical and legal developments.
In short they ask the questions that you cannot.
If your electrical contractor is on their register, it means he has not only satisfied them of a level of competency but he is also subject to annual assessment.
As an added guarantee they have a complaints procedure.
Asking the Simple Questions So what are the simple questions to source a trustworthy electrical contractor? oIs he on a trade register where competency is underwritten? oIs he in receipt of current qualifications? oThere is no substitute for experience.
There are some people who take short courses and style themselves "electricians".
In the trade they are known as "five-day wonders".
Ask how long has your electrical contractor been trading.
oDoes he have evidence of satisfied repeat customers? oHow accessible is the CEO? These simple yet probing questions will ensure you source a reliable, experienced electrical contractor.