Step by Step Guide to Using a Competent Person

You need some electrical work carried out in your home you are aware of the new regulations and want to employ a firm that is an approved Competent Person.  What is your next step?

How do you find a Competent Person or double-check that a firm claiming to be a Competent Person is in fact registered with an approved scheme?  What should you expect from the firm and what paperwork should you receive at the end of the job?  Finally what should you do if later you are asked for this paperwork as evidence to show that the work was carried out by a Competent Person (for example when selling your property) and you cannot find the relevant documents?

Step 1 – Finding one of our Competent Persons

You can use this search facility to find one of our registered competent persons or alternativey you can use this link to find our ELECSA registered contractors.

Step 2 – Verifying a firms Competent Person status

Always ask to see a copy of the firms registration certificate.  This will tell you what scheme the firm is registered with and their registration number.  If you want to check further you can find a list of all competent persons registered on all schemes at www.competentperson.co.uk

Step 3 – Contract with a Competent Person

Before starting work you should always agree basic terms with the firm.  These will cover for example a description of what it is you want done when the work is to be carried out and the price to be charged.  

Step 4 – Warranty

A firm that is registered with an approved Competent Person scheme should make you aware of the option of taking out an insurance-backed guarantee for the work. Click here to view the warranty information.

The warranty provides cover where work does not comply with the Building Regulations and the contractor is unable to rectify the work subject to the terms and conditions of the warranty.

This insurance-backed guarantee is entirely optional and you must contact the relevant body to purchase it.  The firm is only responsible for making you aware of this option and for providing you with the information necessary to make contact with the relevant body.

Step 5 – Completion certification and notification

On completion of the work there are a number of important tasks that the firm is responsible for carrying out to ensure that the work is properly documented and your local authority Building Control department has the information it requires.  This will ensure that in future years you will be able to demonstrate that the work was properly executed and that should any further electrical work be necessary it can be carried out safely.

Step 5a - BS 7671 Installation Certificate

This is a technical document that a contractor should provide as a matter of course and you should keep it somewhere safe.

Step 5b - Building Regulations Compliance Certificate

This document simply states that the work carried out by the firm complies with the Building Regulations click here for a specimen certificate.  This certificate may be requested for example by a purchasers solicitor when you sell your property.  It will be posted to you within 30 days of completion of the work and you should keep this safe along with your BS7671 Installation Certificate.  If a the firm has carried out work and the certificate is overdue please ring 0870 609 6093.

Step 5c - Notification to your local authoritys Building Control department

Receipt of your building regulations compliance certificate will mean that we have also notified the work with your local building control office.

Step 6 – Lost Certificates

If you have lost your building compliance certificate call 0870 609 6093 and we will try to arrange a replacement.

Step 7 – Queries & Complaints

Should you wish to make a comment or suggestion regarding the operation of the Part P scheme or the service that you have received please contact EC Certification Ltd using the contact details below.

EC Certification Ltd
Mansfield Business Centre
Ashfield Avenue
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG18 2AE

Phone: 0870 609 6093
Email: enquiries@eccertification.co.uk