Gas and Electrical Work: When You Need a Registered Pro
A general guide to which gas, electrical and heating jobs need a registered professional in England and Wales, why it matters and what paperwork to expect.
Most home jobs carry little risk if done by a competent person. Gas and electrical work is different. Mistakes can cause fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions and electric shocks, often silently and later. For that reason, much of this work is regulated, and choosing the right person is a matter of safety as well as quality. This is general information for England and Wales, not legal advice. Check gov.uk for the rules that apply to your job.
Gas work
By law, anyone carrying out gas work in a home in Great Britain must be on the relevant gas register. That covers installing, repairing, servicing or moving gas appliances, pipework and fittings, including boilers, hobs, fires and meters.
What to do
- Ask for the engineer's registration details and check them on the register's website or helpline, as described in checking a trade registration.
- Check the types of gas work they are qualified for. A registration is for specific categories, such as domestic natural gas, LPG or appliance types.
- Ask to see their ID card on arrival, and check the back for the work categories.
- Ask what paperwork you will receive after the job, such as an installation or safety record.
Why not take the risk
Unqualified gas work can leave leaks or faulty combustion, producing carbon monoxide that you cannot see or smell. It can also invalidate insurance and cause problems when you sell.
If you smell gas or suspect a leak, open windows, avoid switches and flames, turn off at the meter if safe and call the national gas emergency number. Do not wait for a booking.
Electrical work
Electrical work in dwellings is covered by Building Regulations, but the rules are different from gas. In England, much domestic electrical work is notifiable, meaning it must either be done by a registered competent person who self-certifies it, or be inspected by building control. Minor work, such as replacing a socket or a light fitting, may not need notification, though it should still be done safely and competently.
What to do
- Ask whether the work is notifiable and how it will be certified.
- Ask whether they are registered with a competent person scheme, and check it.
- Ask what certificates you will receive, such as an installation certificate or minor works certificate.
- Ask about testing and inspection arrangements for larger work.
Everyday jobs
Rewiring, new circuits, consumer unit changes and work in bathrooms or kitchens are commonly notifiable. Changing a plug, light bulb or the like generally is not, but do not assume. Ask.
Heating and other related work
- Boilers and gas heating: gas rules apply.
- Oil and solid fuel appliances: have their own competent person schemes.
- Unvented hot water cylinders and some heat pumps have specific installation requirements.
- Carbon monoxide alarms are good practice and, in some situations, required.
Ask the provider which scheme or rules apply and what they will give you at the end.
Paperwork to keep
You should receive and keep:
- Gas safety or installation records
- Electrical installation or minor works certificates
- Building control completion notices, where applicable
- Manufacturer guarantees and commissioning documents
Store them safely, because buyers, insurers and landlords may ask for them.
If you are a landlord
Landlords have specific obligations regarding gas safety checks, electrical inspections and alarms. Those obligations are beyond a general guide, so check gov.uk. See also landlords and tenants hiring.
What a platform identity check does not cover
A verified identity, such as on Compito, tells you who the provider is. It does not substitute for the gas or electrical registration needed for the work. Ask for the registration separately. See what a verified profile tells you.
Red flags
- Unwillingness to give a registration number
- No paperwork offered after completion
- Cash-only with no invoice
- A person who says the rules "do not apply" without explaining why
- A price far below others for work that needs certification
A worked example: replacing a boiler
When you ask for a boiler replacement, you should expect the installer to be on the gas register, to explain whether the work involves any electrical connections, to set the system up and test it, and to leave you with the commissioning record and guarantee details. Several different quotes may all look cheap until you ask about the paperwork. A provider who cannot say what you will receive at the end is not ready to take the job on.
Questions that sort the good from the vague
- Which register or scheme are you on, and what is the number?
- Will the work be certified, and what will you give me?
- Do you need to notify building control, or do you do that through your scheme?
- Who is responsible if the inspection finds a fault?
Landlords, tenants and flats
Tenants should ask their landlord for current gas and electrical safety documents rather than hiring someone themselves. In a flat, work on shared pipes, flues or wiring may need permission from the managing agent or freeholder. If you are buying or selling, solicitors often ask for certificates, so keep the paperwork from every job.
Smaller jobs near regulated work
A handyman can often help with tasks around the edges, such as tiling near a hob or painting after an electrician has finished. They should not alter gas fittings or fixed wiring. See can a handyman do gas work? and can a handyman do electrical work? for the detail on each.
Where to check rules
Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. For the official position, check gov.uk, the relevant registration body and, for your own safety, ask the professional to explain the rules that apply to your job.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do my own gas work?
Generally no. Gas work must be done by a registered professional. Seek guidance from the relevant register or gov.uk.
Do I need a certificate for replacing a socket?
Minor like-for-like replacements may not need notification, but a competent person should still do them safely. If unsure, ask the electrician and check gov.uk.
What if I cannot find the registration details?
Do not proceed with regulated work until you can verify them. Choose another provider.