The Role of an Electrician in Building Projects

The traditional nickname for a London electrician is Sparks, but sparks are exactly what you don’t want to see when you ask someone to do electrical work in your home or business premises!

According to the Electrical Safety Council, electrical accidents cause an average of one death every week in the UK, and half of all house fires can be traced to electrical faults, so this is one job you should always leave to an expert.

When you need an electrician in London be sure to choose a reliable professional who is qualified to carry out any type of domestic or commercial electrical work efficiently and safely.

New buildings

Planning a new office block, or having an extension added to your home? It’s much easier – and cheaper – to install the whole electrical system as part of the construction process rather than adding to it or changing things at a later date. Bring in an experienced electrical contractor who can advise you on all your options at the design stage.

What kind of lighting do you want? How many electric sockets, and where should they be positioned? Do you want underfloor heating, extractor fans, linked smoke alarms? Getting all the details right before the work starts will ensure that your new property meets all your needs.

Another reason for checking the qualifications of an electrician is that all building work in London must comply with Building Regulations, and these include strict electrical safety rules. A fully qualified electrician who is registered with a government-approved scheme can issue a valid safety certificate to confirm that his work meets all the current national safety standards.

If you use an unregistered electrician you will have to wait for an electrical system to be inspected by a Local Authority building control inspector before it can be used. And if the inspector is not completely satisfied, he can ask for changes to be made, or even insist that the whole job is done again.

Alterations and refurbishment

London’s older houses and business premises are not always practical for modern life. Installing a new kitchen or bathroom, converting a loft into extra living space, and remodelling a number of small offices into one open-plan work area are all popular ways of improving existing buildings. All these projects – and many more – need the services of an electrician, preferably one who is familiar with the latest electrical appliances and experienced in working in all types of properties.

If you are updating your home, don’t neglect the outside space. A skilled London electrician will also be able to fit security lights, install wiring for a water feature or decorative garden lighting, and give your garage or shed a useful power supply.

Inspections and tests

If you are a landlord or business owner you have a legal duty to make sure your property is safe for tenants, employees and customers. This includes a regular inspection of electrical systems, appliances and machinery. Not all London electricians are approved to issue the necessary safety certificates so always check you are employing an electrician who is registered for such work.

Private homeowners should also have their systems checked occasionally, especially if the wiring is old or there’s any doubt about its safety. An experienced electrician will be able to detect any faults and know the best way to put them right.

If you need any electrical work doing, even an apparently small job, don’t allow anyone other than a professional electrician to do it. For complete peace of mind, find someone through a reputable building services company that checks the qualifications and references of its staff and only employs the best.