Eighteen million people too embarrassed to ask an electrician if they are registered

gazza — Sun, 19 Jul 2015 23:00:00 +0000

gazza Mon, 20/07/2015

Hot news at the moment in the electrical industry reveals that only one in five householders seeking quotations from electricians are asking for proof of registration. Failure to check for yourself that an electrician is who they say are can land you in all sorts of bother. From a severely botched and dangerous job that could put the lives of you and your family at risk to having a head ache when attempting to rent out your property, the failure to check Part P registration could cost you dearly.
It is your responsibility as the home owner that electrical work is carried out in a legal manner. This means that most electrical work carried out must be certified as meeting the Part P regulations. Worryingly, it is estimated that around 20,000 unregistered electricians are carrying out electrical work in homes in the UK where the owners believe them to be registered electricians.
Why you should not feel embarrassed asking for proof of registration
In typical British style, it seems householders would prefer to say nothing and hope the job goes to plan than risk offending the electrician. In reality, a genuine electrician would be more than happy to show you proof of registration as they are so very rarely asked and electricians dislike unregistered electricians as much as you do!
An investigation carried out by the electrical safety charity Electrical Safety First found that asking an electrician for proof of registration was found to be as embarrassing as asking the boss for a pay rise or asking a queue jumper to move to the back of the queue. On the back to these results, Electrical Safety First have launched a consumer awareness campaign to raise awareness of the importance of making sure an electrician is who they say they are.

“While most of us claim to use registered tradespeople, only one in five of us actually request proof,” explains Phil Buckle, Director General of Electrical Safety First. “It seems that British ‘awkwardness’ is a real barrier when it comes to checking that an electrician is safe to work on your home. But with more than half of all domestic fires in the UK arising from electricity - which also causes 350,000 serious accidents each year - ensuring your electrician is registered could end up saving your life.”
Electrical Safety First is offering consumers five simple tips to help with this awkward question.
1. Before making contact with an electrician, check their details appear on the Electrical Competent Person Register. This is the only Government Endorsed register that lists every qualified and registered electrician in England and Wales. For Scotland, checking the Certification Register is the only authoritative source.
2. Be direct when asking to see the proof. For example “Before we get started can I see proof of registration?”
3. Ask before any work has been agreed or undertaken.
4. Be insistent and be prepared to walk away if no evidence is given.
5. It is easy for the electrician to show you proof of registration. Don't believe otherwise.
Never allow work to begin without having seen evidence of registration. It could be the worst mistake you ever make.

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registered electrician