In England and Wales, most fixed electrical work in homes must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Notifiable work — which must be certified and notified to building control — includes new circuits, consumer unit replacements, and electrical work in kitchens, bathrooms, and gardens. Some minor alterations to existing circuits are non-notifiable but must still be safe and compliant with BS 7671.
Scotland uses a different building standards system; Northern Ireland has separate rules. This guide focuses on England and Wales, where RIGS carries out domestic work from Tring.
Sources: Electrical Safety First — Part P, IET / Electrical Safety First guidance on notifiable work.
What Part P Requires
Part P exists so domestic electrical work meets safety standards and is independently verifiable. Homeowners must be able to prove compliance — failure is a criminal offence under building regulations, and local authorities can require removal or alteration of non-compliant work (Electrical Safety First).
Work must meet BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations). Registered electricians in competent person schemes (NICEIC, NAPIT, etc.) can self-certify notifiable work and notify on your behalf.
Notifiable Work (Requires Certification and Notification)
Typically includes:
New circuits Any new circuit from the consumer unit — additional socket ring, lighting circuit, cooker supply, shower circuit, outdoor feed, etc.
Consumer unit replacement or major alteration Replacing or adding consumer units is notifiable. See consumer unit replacement cost planning.
Work in special locations Kitchens, bathrooms, shower rooms, and certain garden/outdoor locations have additional protection requirements. Most work in these areas is notifiable.
Full or partial rewires Rewiring involves new circuits and certification throughout.
Extensions and structural alterations New fixed wiring in extensions is notifiable — plan with extension electrics guidance.
Outdoor installations New garden circuits, outdoor sockets on new feeds, and exterior lighting on new circuits. See garden electrics.
Central heating controls and fixed equipment When involving new circuit work (not simple like-for-like control swaps in all cases — confirm with your electrician).
If unsure, assume notifiable and use a registered installer.
Non-Notifiable Work (Still Must Be Safe)
Electrical Safety First and the IET describe minor work that may not require notification in England, including:
- Replacing accessories (socket outlets, control switches, ceiling roses) on existing circuits — where not in special locations and not involving new circuits
- Replacing damaged cable for a single circuit in same location in some circumstances
- Maintenance and like-for-like repairs
Non-notifiable does not mean DIY-is-always-fine. Work must still comply with BS 7671. Incompetent work can kill and void insurance. Many homeowners prefer a registered electrician even for minor jobs.
Adding a socket by spurring an existing circuit can fall into grey areas depending on location and design — ask a registered electrician rather than self-assessing.
Certificates You Should Receive
| Document | When issued |
|---|---|
| Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) | New circuits, consumer units, rewires |
| Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) | Minor notifiable alterations to existing circuits |
| Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) | Inspection/testing only — not a work certificate |
| Building Regulations Compliance Certificate | Confirms Part P notification for notifiable work |
Keep all certificates for resale, landlord compliance, and insurance. See also electrical checks when buying a house.
Registered Electrician vs Building Control
Route 1 — Registered competent person (recommended) Electrician self-certifies and notifies scheme operator. You receive compliance certificate without lodging building notice yourself.
Route 2 — Unregistered electrician + building control Building notice, fees, and third-party inspection/testing required before work or in stages — slower and often costlier.
Route 3 — DIY Possible for some non-notifiable minor work only if competent. Notifiable DIY requires building control involvement — most homeowners should not attempt.
RIGS Electrical is NICEIC registered and self-certifies notifiable domestic work.
Part P and Common Home Projects
| Project | Usually notifiable? |
|---|---|
| Full or partial rewire | Yes |
| Consumer unit replacement | Yes |
| New kitchen ring | Yes |
| Electric shower (new circuit) | Yes |
| Extra socket on existing bedroom ring | Often no — if design compliant; confirm |
| New outdoor socket circuit | Yes |
| Garden room supply | Yes |
| EICR only | No — inspection, not installation |
| Replace broken light switch (same location) | Often no |
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Difficulty selling — buyer’s solicitor requests certificates
- Local authority enforcement
- Insurance claim issues after fire or shock
- Rework costs exceeding original saving from uncertificated cheap work
Scotland and Northern Ireland
Scotland uses the Building Standards system — electrical work must comply with Scottish regulations and BS 7671, but Part P as described for England and Wales does not apply in the same form. Use a registered electrician familiar with local building standards.
Northern Ireland has separate building control arrangements. Homeowners there should follow NI guidance and use registered installers.
RIGS operates from Tring and serves England and Wales domestic clients in Hertfordshire and nearby border areas. If your property is outside that jurisdiction, verify local rules with a local registered electrician.
Building Control Notification Routes
If work is notifiable and you use a non-registered installer (not recommended), you must notify local building control before work starts and arrange inspection. Fees and delays apply.
Registered competent person scheme members notify through their scheme — you receive a compliance certificate without lodging the notice yourself. This is the standard route for domestic homeowners.
Records for Property Sale and Landlords
Keep a folder (physical or digital) containing:
- EICRs (inspection reports)
- EICs and MEIWCs (work certificates)
- Part P compliance certificates
- Circuit charts photographed after each major job
Buyers’ conveyancers increasingly ask for this evidence on older properties. Landlords face statutory EICR obligations separate from installation certificates for new work — see EICR for homeowners for the owner-occupier schedule.
DIY Boundaries Homeowners Often Misread
Replacing a like-for-like ceiling rose on an existing lighting circuit is not the same as adding a new shower circuit. Running armoured cable to a garden room is not the same as changing a broken switch plate.
When in doubt, pay for a registered electrician’s advice before starting — correction costs exceed first-time compliant installation.
How Part P Links to Other Guides
- Rewires: cost and full vs partial scope
- Purchases: pre-completion checks
- Sockets: adding without rewire
- Safety: EICR for homeowners
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Part P the same as BS 7671? No. Part P is building regulations; BS 7671 is the technical wiring standard work must meet.
Do landlords need Part P for every repair? Landlords must maintain safe installations and hold valid EICRs for rentals in England. Notifiable new work still needs certification.
Can I get retrospective certification? Sometimes via inspection and testing if work is compliant — may require opening up and remedial costs if not.
Does smart home wiring need Part P? Fixed wiring changes usually yes; battery-powered devices may not involve notifiable fixed work.
Who enforces Part P? Local authority building control and competent person schemes.
Where does RIGS operate under Part P? Domestic work across Tring and surrounding Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire border areas — services hub.
*Regulatory summaries reflect England and Wales guidance at time of writing. For Scotland and Northern Ireland, consult applicable building standards. This is general information, not legal advice.*