Can I work on electrics in my house?
DIY is becoming ever more popular in the UK, and DIYers are increasingly willing to try their hands at more specialist tasks. So the question on many adventurous homeowners’ minds is: can I work on my house’s electrics?
The short answer is: Yes.
The longer answer is: It can get a bit complicated, and it’s probably not a great idea.
In England (it’s slightly different in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland), domestic electrical work is classified as either notifiable or non-notifiable. To learn more about what works count as which type, see this blog post.
Non-notifiable, or Minor Works, are generally simpler electrical jobs. For example, adding a new plug socket or switching out a light fitting. Notifiable Works are more complicated, and therefore more dangerous, such as installing a new fuseboard.
Can I do minor electrical work myself?
Yes you can. But you need to be confident in how the electrics work in your house, and how to test them to make sure that they are safe. We would always recommend getting out a domestic installer or electrician if you don’t have electrical training yourself.
Can I rewire my own house?
In theory, yes you can. But if you’re not an electrician, it really isn’t advisable.
Since this would count as notifiable work, you would have to let your local authority’s building control know what you were planning to do. They may send out an inspector to check on you before or during the works. After the works are completed, you would need to submit information to building control, and they will come round to inspect your work. If they find issues where you have not completed the work to current standards, you will be required to put it right, and you could potentially be fined. There will also be fees for inspection involved.
That’s not accounting for the fact that the reason these jobs are notifiable is that they are complicated, and mistakes can cause injury, damage, or even death.
What electrical work can I do without an electrician?
Do not despair though, there are some electrical works that it is straightforward for an amateur DIYer to do. Replacing a plug socket’s faceplate, swapping out a light fitting, or moving a socket or light switch are relatively straightforward. For a more daring DIYer, you might be able to consider installing a spurred plug socket – but be prepared to put the time in to understand how current flows through your system.
But why go through the hassle when you can book online instantly with Sokket? Click here to get a guaranteed fixed price on your minor electrical works.