Does anyone know the laws about doing electrical DIY?

Question

Anyone know what are the rules and/or laws (if any) governing installing and maintaining electrical devices/fittings in UK by unqualified homeowners?
I have always "Done my own" but a friend told me the rules had changed recently, or are they about to change??

Any sites or info would be useful

Answer 1

Despite popular belief you ARE still allowed to do certain smaller items of electrical work if competent, here is a summary of notifiable work. I am assuming that you are in England? Part P does not apply in Scotland where other similar regulations have always existed.

Answer 2

The rules have changed inthat you have to comply with Part P to electrical installations, modifications and extension.

Basically, you have to document the risk, writing, and calculations and reasons for any variances you make. This all has to be done under the control of building regulations. In theory, you have to use building notice on your council. In practice, many of them don't know how to handle it yet.

You can do some work yourself, such as change lght fittings, switchs and sockets without Part P compliance. However, you cannot do any work in a kitchen or bathroom wihout Part P.

A spur , cooker, shower, new ring or lighting extension all require Part P compliance. Small extensions to existing circuits are allowed. Repairs a re allowed, but not re-wires.

There are some anomilies. For example, you can change the element in an immersion hot water heater, you can change the fused isolated outlet next to it, but you cannot change the cable between the 2....and you cannot change the fittings if its in a bathroom cupboard.

Most councils have a leaflet on Part P, our is just an A5 bit of paper, but its worth having a chat with them, they are reasonable people.

Answer 3

I know that DIY gas fitting is a definate no. I believe that DIY electrics is now the same. Also a problem comes with insurance. If someone is injured as a result of unqualified electrical modifications, you and not the insurance company are responsible.

Answer 4

Your friend is absolutely right. The rules have changed. You may carry out minor repairs and alterations without certification, however many electrical jobs now require certfication by a qualified and approved electrician. Please see below and the link provided.

Any notifiable domestic electrical installation carried out by a firm, which is not registered to self-certify as outlined above, or done as a DIY project by a householder, will need full local authority approval (Full Plan or Building Notice) under the Building Regulations. Local authorities will know of all the approved self-certified installers in their areas and will be able to identify unauthorised work very easily. You should note that you, as the house owner, are ultimately responsible for ensuring the work complies with the Building Regulations. Generally, the Building Regulations covering domestic electrical installations will apply to all electrical work:
within dwellings.
within the grounds of dwellings or buildings sharing their supply with dwellings. This would include a pond pump and garden lighting systems.
within other buildings or premises sharing their supply with dwellings. This includes sheds, garages, outbuildings etc; linked shops etc,
within the common and shared areas of flats.
However, you do not need to notify the local authority in the case of:
Work consisting of:
replacing any socket-outlet, control switch or ceiling rose;
replacing a damaged cable for a single circuit only;
re-fixing or replacing enclosures of existing installation components, where the circuit protective measures are unaffected; providing mechanical protection to an existing fixed installation, where the circuit protective measures and current carrying capacity of conductors are unaffected by the increased thermal insulation.
Or for work which:
is not in a kitchen, or a special location,
does not involve work on a special installation, and
consists of:
i. adding light fittings and switches to an existing circuit;
ii adding socket outlets and fused spurs to an existing ring or radial circuit; or
iii. installing or upgrading main or supplementary equipotential bonding.

Before you sign a contract for notifiable domestic electrical installation work, be sure to ask whether the installer is able to self-certify under one of the schemes listed above. If not, either they, or you, will need to make an application to your local authority for approval under the Building Regulations and pay any relevant charges. The local authority will ask for a relevant electrical installation certificate, signed by a competent person in accordance with Approved Document P, before they are able to complete a satisfactory final inspection of the work.
Further information is available from Building Control 01768 817817 together with application forms (Full Plan or Building Notice) and the current scale of charges.
Please see the leaflet from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM)

Answer 5

Don't touch it with a barge pole, I did my own electrical stuff for years but with the new regs, I wouldn't do it now.

I must confess to having put in the odd spur or PIR lamp recently but you have to make sure that the wiring matches the original house wiring. And it has to be to a high standard. But personally I wouldn't do any more than that.

Don't forget that one day, if anyhing happens you might have some self righteous a.r.s.ehole of an accident investigator sniffing around your wiring. Or even worse, a fireman. They will have you, and the insurance will not pay out.

Answer 6

the laws did change recently however there is nothing in them preventing diy electrics, it is recommended that all electrical work is done by a qualified and recognised electrician (niceic) and testing certificates issued, however you can do anything you like yourself but you have to get it checked by your local authority building control which costs about £120 so unless its a big job its probably cheaper to get a sparky in.

Answer 7

You can replace items yourself, but you need to employ an NCIS certified Electrician if you are putting in a totally new electrical item ie one that wasn't there originally. So if you change a single electrical socket for a double you can do it yourself, but if you are putting in an additional socket elsewhere in a room then you have to get someone in to do it.

Answer 8

Like-for-like replacement (DIY or paid-for) all one should be is 'competent'. Even in kitchens/outside. That sort of work is maintenance.

Additional sockets (other than outside or in kitchens), 'competent'

Outside sockets, kitchens, bathrooms, and external lights with outside switches, New circuits. Tell building control & (DIY or use 'competent'). Or use a member of a Part P (building regs) scheme who notify Building control after the event

Answer 9

I will give you a tip as you are a DIY person don't touch it because I sued a couple that did electrial work in a house I bought from them,I sued them for misrepresentation.The wirering was appalling and I had it all rewired at there expense When you don't understand it properly get some body in that does.

Answer 10

Yes the laws have changed and you can no longer do your own electrical work.