Red flags in a cheap electrical quote
A quote significantly below the others is worth asking about before accepting — check it includes a proper consumer unit (not a budget one that doesn't meet current standards), covers making good afterwards, and includes the certificate you're entitled to for notifiable work. Cash-only, no fixed address, and no registration number are all worth asking about directly.
What affects the cost
Cost depends on the scope of the job, how much of the property needs to be accessed, the age and condition of the existing wiring, and whether the consumer unit needs upgrading. A single socket replacement is quick and low-cost; a full rewire in an older property takes longer, partly because of the making-good work afterwards.
What a good electrical quote should include
A proper quote should state the scope of work, whether it's notifiable under Part P, an itemised breakdown of labour vs materials, the certificate you'll receive on completion, and how long the job is expected to take. If a quote is missing any of these, ask before agreeing to the work.
Powering a garden office or outbuilding
Running power to a garden office or outbuilding usually means an armoured cable buried below the recommended depth, its own small consumer unit, and RCD protection at the supply end. This is notifiable work and typically needs building control sign-off alongside the electrical certification.
Solar panels and battery storage wiring
Solar PV and battery storage installation is specialist work, usually done by an MCS-certified installer rather than a general electrician, and needs its own isolation switches and a compliant connection to your consumer unit. Your energy supplier and network operator also need to be notified before or after installation, depending on system size.
Three steps to hiring the right electrician
First, confirm they're registered with NICEIC or NAPIT and ask to see their registration number. Second, get a written quote that itemises labour and materials separately, not just a total. Third, ask what certificate you'll receive when the work's done — for notifiable work, you're entitled to a Building Regulations compliance certificate.
Electrical work and home insurance
Some insurers ask whether notifiable electrical work has been certified when you make a claim involving fire or electrical damage — keep your Electrical Installation Certificate or Building Regulations compliance certificate somewhere you can find it, not just with the electrician's paperwork.
Electrical emergencies — what to do
If you smell burning, see sparks, or a breaker keeps tripping and won't reset, turn off the affected circuit and call an electrician. Don't reset a tripped breaker more than once if it trips again immediately — that usually means a fault, not a one-off.