What Electrical Work Needs a Registered Electrician?
A plain-English guide to notifiable electrical work in the UK, what Part P means for homeowners, which jobs need a registered electrician and which do not.
Many homeowners have heard of "Part P" without knowing what it requires. In short, it is the part of the building regulations in England that deals with electrical safety in homes. This guide translates it into everyday terms. It is general information and rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check locally.
The basic idea
Some electrical work is considered higher risk and has to be notified to building control, so it is checked or certified. This is called notifiable work. The easiest way to comply is to use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, who can self-certify and notify on your behalf. Otherwise, you need to apply to building control and pay for inspection and testing.
Work that is typically notifiable
In a typical English home, notifiable work generally includes:
- Installing a new circuit.
- Replacing a consumer unit.
- Changing the electrical wiring in a bathroom or other special location, in many cases.
- Adding to or altering circuits in a special location such as a bathroom or swimming pool area.
- Full or partial rewires.
- Many outdoor and garden building installations.
Examples include a new cooker circuit, an electric shower, an EV charge point and a supply to a garage. The details change over time, so confirm current rules with a registered electrician or building control.
Work that is often not notifiable
Lower-risk work is usually not notifiable, though it must still meet the wiring regulations and be safe:
- Replacing a like-for-like socket, switch or light fitting.
- Replacing damaged cable.
- Adding a socket or light to an existing circuit outside special locations.
- Repair and maintenance work.
Even for non-notifiable jobs, good practice means isolating, testing and ensuring that the circuit's protection is suitable.
Why this matters
- Safety. Electrical faults can cause fire and shock, and some are hidden in walls.
- Insurance. Insurers may ask for evidence that work was done properly.
- Selling. Buyers and solicitors may ask for certificates for recent work.
- Landlords. Landlords must keep installations safe and meet inspection requirements.
- Liability. If unsafe work is found, responsibility can fall on the householder.
What a registered electrician gives you
When a registered electrician completes notifiable work, you can expect:
- A certificate for the work (installation or minor works, as appropriate).
- Notification to building control through their scheme.
- A building regulations compliance certificate in due course.
- A route for complaint if the work is not right.
Keep these documents with your property paperwork. To find an electrician, see how to find a registered electrician.
What about DIY?
Householders are not banned from electrical work in their own home, but notifiable work still needs inspection and certification, and the risks are real. Unsafe or untested fixed wiring can endanger everyone in the house. If you are unsure whether a job counts, or what is behind a wall, leave fixed wiring to a professional.
A worked example
Three households want electrical work done. The first wants a socket swapped like for like in a living room, which is generally not notifiable. The second wants a new circuit for an induction hob, which is notifiable, so a registered electrician should carry it out and certify it. The third wants an extra socket added in a kitchen, which may be non-notifiable on its own but sits in a room where circuit capacity is already stretched, so they ask an electrician to assess it first. Three similar-sounding jobs, three different answers. If you are unsure, ask a registered electrician before work starts.
A quick decision guide
| Question | If yes |
|---|---|
| Is it a new circuit? | Use a registered electrician |
| Is it a consumer unit change? | Use a registered electrician |
| Is it in a bathroom or other special location? | Treat as notifiable and ask |
| Is it a like-for-like swap on a sound circuit? | Generally not notifiable but still needs competence |
| Are you unsure what is behind the wall? | Ask a professional |
Common mistakes
- Assuming a small job cannot be notifiable.
- Letting a handyman do work that needs certification.
- Failing to keep the certificate for future buyers.
- Assuming a landlord's old paperwork covers new work.
- Thinking a certificate means work is perfect rather than compliant at the time.
Edge cases
- Rented homes: tenants should not carry out fixed electrical work, and landlords should use competent people.
- Flats: work may need freeholder permission and may affect shared supplies.
- Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland: rules differ, so check locally.
- Older properties: work on old installations may reveal faults that need to be put right first.
When to call a professional
Always use a registered electrician for new circuits, consumer units, rewires, and work in special locations. Always isolate at the consumer unit before any visual check, and never work on live fixed wiring.
Frequently asked questions
Does Part P apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
Part P applies to England, and Wales has similar provisions. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards and rules, so check what applies in your area.
What happens if I did notifiable work without telling anyone?
You may be asked for retrospective inspection and certification, which can cost more than doing it properly at the time. A registered electrician can advise on the best route.
Is replacing a socket notifiable?
A like-for-like replacement is generally not notifiable, but it should still be done by a competent person with the circuit isolated and tested.
Do I get a certificate for every electrical job?
Not for every small repair, but notifiable work and new circuits should have a certificate. Ask what documentation will be provided before work starts.