So true, I watched rogue traders yesterday and it shows how easily people can be ripped off. Good tips to follow here, shame the majority of people who are getting work done in their home will not ask though.

thanks for sharing the link. this is quite informative for me.

Although in general it is good with Electrical work one should select one who is a member of a scheme so able to self certify their work.

One problem is it's the responsibility of the house owner to inform the local authority building control although in most cases the tradesmen will do this for them. So if it's not done then the owner could be faced with the correction bill.

With electrics not all items need to be reported to the LABC but often what seems a simple job can lead into a more involved job. So although the non registered electrician may be physically able to do the extra work he may not be able to do it within Part P regulations. He is permitted to make things safe so could do the work then report to LABC but the LABC charges are really silly with small electrical work being over £100 for smallest job.

So to use a commercial electrician who could be A1 as far as his work goes could cost a lot extra when one includes the LABC charges if the job extends to any notifiable work.

So I would recommend using a registered electrician. The only exception is where LABC is already involved with the job for example building an extension. Then the extra cost to include electrics is within reason. However to use tradesmen who are members of an overseeing organisation give the house holder more options when something goes wrong. So I would still use a registered person.

Very nice tips here. Having your online information safe is very important these days as many people will try and steal them.

Tremendous reminders of a lay person's common sense approach to getting small home improvements done by the "experts" and 'craftspeople'. I've now got to figure out how to get out of the "arrangements" the wife made - which broke all 10 Rules/Tips and start again !

welcome to the forum, michael murray,

Best of luck with that. Perhaps some of those projects you could take on yourself - We can help !