Can I do electrical work myself?

According to Electrical Safety First, the leading charity campaigning on electrical safety matters, almost half of electric shocks described as severe were as a result of DIY errors.  For further advice and information go to Electrical Safety First.

Before undertaking electrical work, consider the following if you are thinking of undertaking the work yourself:

• Is this work likely to be covered by the Building Regulations?  Substantial works such as partial and full rewires are notifiable under the regulations so will need to be signed off by your local authority if not using a registered contractor

• If the work is minor (such as adding a new socket), is it in the bathroom, kitchen or garden? This work is not notifiable under the Building Regulations however they are considered high risk locations due to the load demands of appliances and/or proximity to water sources which can make working with electricity more dangerous

If in doubt please contact a reputable local registered electrician who can advise you.  If you need to find one, please use our Find Contractors search facility.