Electrician in Reading: 7 Checks Before You Book

Search for an electrician in Reading and you get a long list of names. Most of them are probably fine, but these seven checks will tell you which ones are. Each one takes a few minutes, and they work the same way whether you're hiring a domestic electrician in Reading or a larger firm of electrical contractors.

The 7 checks at a glance

1. Confirm their competent person scheme registration.
2. Ask how they handle Part P notification.
3. Get a written, itemised quote.
4. Agree which certificate you'll get back.
5. Read the reviews properly, not just the star rating.
6. Check that they're insured.
7. Ask a few questions on the phone before anyone visits.

1. Scheme registration

Competent person schemes such as NICEIC, NAPIT and ELECSA assess electricians and let them sign off their own notifiable work. Don't rely on a logo on a van or website. Search the electrician's name or postcode on the scheme's own register, or on the government-backed Registered Competent Person Electrical site, and check that the business name matches.

2. Part P notification

Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in homes. Bigger jobs, such as a new circuit, a consumer unit replacement or work in a bathroom, have to be notified to building control. A registered electrician does this through their scheme, and you receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate afterwards. An unregistered installer has to apply to the council before starting. In Reading town that means Reading Borough Council. Much of Tilehurst, Calcot and Purley falls under West Berkshire, and Caversham is in Reading Borough. If an installer seems vague about this, treat that as a warning sign.

3. A written quote

A useful quote lists the work item by item, says whether materials and any certificate are included, covers making good (for example, filling chases in plaster), and states how long the price stands. A fixed price is easier to compare than an hourly estimate.

4. The right certificate

A new circuit or a rewire should come with an Electrical Installation Certificate. Smaller changes, such as an extra socket on an existing circuit, get a Minor Works certificate, and a condition report on an existing installation is an EICR. Our blog post on electrical certificates explains each one in more detail. Agree in writing which one you'll get before work starts.

5. Reviews

Look for recent reviews that mention the kind of job you need. Notice how the business replies to complaints. A handful of five-star reviews with no detail tells you less than a long record of specific ones.

6. Insurance

Ask whether they hold public liability insurance. A reputable electrician will confirm it without fuss.

7. Questions worth asking on the phone

• Will the person quoting be the person doing the work?
• Is the job notifiable, and who notifies it?
• Which certificate will I receive, and when?
• What's the current lead time for a job like this?

Local housing stock matters here too. Tilehurst has a lot of 1930s semis and post-war estates, and Caversham has Victorian and Edwardian terraces. In both, older wiring and fuseboards are common, so ask how the electrician deals with anything unexpected they find once the job is under way.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Part P electrician for a new socket?

Usually not for notification purposes. Adding a socket to an existing circuit outside a bathroom isn't normally notifiable. The work must still meet the wiring regulations, though, and you should receive a Minor Works certificate. A registered electrician gives you that paperwork as standard, which helps when you come to sell.

How do I check if an electrician is registered?

Use the search tool on the scheme's own website, or the Registered Competent Person Electrical register, and search by business name or postcode. Make sure the trading name and the area match the person you're talking to. A logo alone isn't proof.

What happens if notifiable work isn't certified?

You may have trouble when you sell, because buyers' solicitors ask for compliance certificates. The council can also require the work to be inspected or corrected. Getting it notified by a registered electrician at the time is simpler and cheaper.

How far ahead should I book an electrician in Berkshire?

It depends on the job and the time of year. Small jobs can often fit in sooner, while rewires and consumer unit changes need planning. Ask for a realistic start date when you get your quote, and book early if you're working to a kitchen or extension timetable.

How Beckley Electrical works

Beckley Electrical is a family-run domestic electrician based in Tilehurst. We work across Reading, Tilehurst, Caversham and the surrounding Berkshire villages. We're an NICEIC Registered Domestic Installer and we're insured. We give free fixed quotes, and you can read our 151 Google reviews before you decide. To book, get in touch with a short description of the job. We'll arrange a visit or give you a quote and tell you our current lead time.