Where notifiable electrical work is undertaken it must be certified by either:
- a member of a 'Competent Person' self-certification scheme or
- the local authority must be informed before any work begins and given access to inspect and test the work when it is finished
Competent Person
A 'Competent Person' is a firm that has demonstrated sufficient capability and proficiency to be included in one of the government approved Part P self-certification schemes (such as that offered by NAPIT). Additionally, a firm's work must be checked (at least annually) to ensure continuing standards of aptitude. ABEL Technical Services is a full 'Competent Person' accredited firm.
The advantages to using ABEL Technical Services as a Competent Person installer include:
- You won't have to pay the Building Control fees for submission of plans and subsequent inspection
- You won't need to arrange a visit from a Building Control inspector
- We will deal with all of the new legislation for you
- You will be provided with a certificate to confirm that the work carried out has met the new regulations
- You can be sure we are qualified to carry out the work
- All work is covered by an insurance backed guarantee
'DIY' work
Electrical DIY work is still permitted, but doing notifiable work will require a Building Notice to be submitted to the local Building Control office before work begins and then payment of a fee to have Building Control inspect the work on completion.
Failure to comply with the Building Regulations (and Part P itself) is an offence. The person involved in the offending installation can be fined for the contravention and additionally fined for each day that the work is not corrected. Local authorities also have the power to order non-compliant work to be altered or even removed.
Also, selling a property in the future will be more difficult with non-compliant Building Regulations work (or missing certificates of work) - especially as the new 'Home Information Packs' come into widespread usage.
