How many quotes should you get?
Three is the usual recommendation — enough to spot an outlier (too cheap or too expensive) without asking so many tradespeople to survey your property that it wastes everyone's time. Make sure each quote is for the same scope of work, since a lower price sometimes just means less is included.
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.
Common electrical myths, busted
"If it's not broken, the wiring's fine" — wiring can be dangerous long before it visibly fails. "Any handyman can do electrics if it's small" — scope, not size, determines whether work is notifiable. "A tripped RCD means the RCD is faulty" — usually it means something else on that circuit is, and the RCD is working as intended.
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.
Electrics in kitchens — circuits for appliances
A kitchen refit usually means new dedicated circuits for higher-draw appliances (oven, hob, dishwasher) rather than sharing a single ring main, plus RCD protection for anywhere near a sink. If you're changing the kitchen layout, plan socket and circuit positions before the units go in — moving them afterwards means lifting worktops or units again.
Outdoor and garden electrics
Outdoor sockets, garden lighting, and supplies to sheds or outbuildings need weatherproof (IP-rated) fittings and their own RCD protection — standard indoor sockets and cabling aren't rated for outdoor use. This is notifiable work under Part P if it involves a new circuit.
Electrical safety for landlords
Since 2020, landlords in England must have an EICR carried out every 5 years and provide a copy to tenants. Failing to do so can result in a fine of up to £30,000. If an EICR flags unsatisfactory work, it has to be fixed within 28 days or a shorter period the report specifies.
Understanding the labour vs materials split
Materials — consumer units, cabling, sockets, fittings — are usually a smaller share of an electrical quote than labour, particularly for jobs involving lifting floors or chasing walls. If a quote seems unusually cheap, check whether it's using a lower-spec consumer unit or cabling than a competing quote, not just a lower labour rate.