Let’s be honest — hiring an electrician can feel like a gamble.
You want someone who’ll do the job properly, safely, and on time. But how do you know they’re qualified — not just someone who once changed a plug and bought a van?
Here’s the good news: in the UK, it’s surprisingly easy to check. You just need to know what to look for.
Why it matters
Electricity isn’t something you can take chances with. A poorly wired socket or dodgy consumer unit isn’t just inconvenient — it can cause fires, injuries, or even invalidate your insurance.
That’s why the UK has strict regulations around who can carry out electrical work and how it must be certified.
If your electrician is properly registered, you’ll get peace of mind, insurance protection, and all the right paperwork to prove your installation is safe and legal.
If they’re not… well, you might be left footing the bill to put it right.
Step 1: Look for NICEIC or NAPIT registration
The easiest way to check if an electrician is qualified is to see if they’re registered with a government-approved body, such as:
- NICEIC – the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting
- NAPIT – the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers
These are the two main certification schemes for electrical contractors in the UK.
If an electrician or company is registered with either of these, it means:
✅ Their work has been assessed for safety and competence
✅ They can self-certify work under Part P of the Building Regulations
✅ You’ll receive an official certificate after the job
✅ They carry the right insurance and comply with UK standards
You can check them instantly by visiting:
Just type in the company name or postcode — for example, “GU Solutions, Basingstoke” — and you’ll see their registration details.
Step 2: Ask for their qualifications
A proper electrician won’t be offended if you ask to see proof. In fact, the good ones will expect it.
At a minimum, you’re looking for:
- City & Guilds Level 3 in Electrical Installations (2365 or 2357)
- BS 7671 Wiring Regulations (18th Edition)
- Inspection & Testing (2391)
- Part P Building Regulations qualification
These are the professional standards that separate trained electricians from “my mate Dave who’s good with wires.”
If you’re having specialist work done — like solar PV, battery storage, or EV chargers — they should also have additional manufacturer or MCS accreditations.
Step 3: Make sure you get certification after the job
Every electrical job that affects your home’s wiring — from a new circuit to a full rewire — must be tested, inspected, and certified.
You should receive one of the following:
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) – for new installations
- Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate – for smaller jobs
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) – for testing existing systems
And for notifiable work under Part P, you’ll also get a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate from your local authority.
If an electrician can’t issue these, they’re not properly registered — and that’s a huge red flag.
Step 4: Check insurance and guarantees
A legitimate electrical contractor will have:
- Public liability insurance (minimum £2 million, often more)
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Workmanship guarantee through their registration body
If something goes wrong, you’re protected.
If they’re uninsured, you’re not.
It’s as simple as that.
Step 5: Look at their reputation
A professional contractor will have:
- A proper business address
- A website with contact details
- Real customer reviews on Google or Trustpilot
- Case studies or photos of past work
At GU Solutions, for example, we’ve been serving Basingstoke and Hampshire for over 20 years — with a local team of 10 electricians, full NICEIC approval, and hundreds of happy customers who come back year after year.
Because when you’ve got nothing to hide, you don’t need to make excuses.
The bottom line
Don’t be shy about checking credentials. A real professional will respect you for it — because it shows you care about doing things properly.
In the UK, it’s quick, easy, and free to verify whether an electrician is certified. And it could save you a small fortune down the line.
Need a qualified, NICEIC-approved electrician in Basingstoke?
At GU Solutions, all our electricians are fully qualified, insured, and regularly assessed to meet the latest IET Wiring Regulations.
Whether you need a safety inspection, a rewire, or help with solar and EV charger installations, we’ll make sure everything is compliant, tested, and certified.
📞 Call 01256 473326 or message us online to book your free home or business survey today.
Safe, professional, and local — that’s how electrical work should be done.
