Electrics are something that you don’t mess with. If you have an electric emergency, and you want to get the problem sorted out as quickly as possible, it is important that you get a qualified electrician to do the work for you, to ensure your own safety as well as the other people who will be in the building afterwards.

When it comes to electricity, a qualified electrician should be called to do anything other than the really basic stuff. This is for your own safety, as well as to ensure that the job is done properly and there will be no further damage or fire risk in the future. It also means that should anything go wrong, you will have some sort of protection. It can be difficult to tell sometimes who are qualified and who are rogue traders. So, with this in mind, how can you tell if your electrician is properly qualified or not?

1. Ask the Questions – When you are first appointing your electrician, ask them the right questions first. Ask whether they are qualified and if they are an approved member of any organizations. Ask to see their paperwork and don’t believe the logos that are being displayed – if they are reluctant to show you this, it is more likely that they aren’t being totally honest with you.
2. Get References – One of the best ways to understand about the quality of someone’s work is to get a recommendation or reference. You can ask the electrician for references of previous customers, and they should happily provide you with them. Ask the references about what work they had done, and how happy they were with it. If you wish, you can ask for references of customers nearby and contact them to ask if you can see the work that was done.
3. Get Two or Three Quotes – Don’t just settle for the first quote that you get. Try to get at least two or three and then compare them. You shouldn’t necessarily go for the cheapest – there is usually a reason why it is cheaper, and that reason is often that the work will be inferior.
4. Check the Sub-Contractors – It is often the case that contractors bring in sub-contract electricians to carry out the electrics work in your kitchen or bathroom, for example. You have every right to ask to see their qualifications and documents as well, and agree or refuse to have them working in your home if you are not happy.
5. Trust your Gut Instinct – Go with your gut instinct. If they are putting pressure on you to make a decision, or make you feel uncomfortable, you probably don’t want to entrust the electrics of your home on them!
6. Quotes – Your quote should always be in writing and include all labour, cost and materials, and should detail the work that will be done.
7. Payment – Many rogues will ask for payment upfront – only pay a maximum of 20% before the work is finished.

Hiring an unqualified electrician can put your and your family/friends/colleague´s safety in jeopardy, as well as promoting something which is intrinsically wrong. This is why it is important to check that your electrician is properly qualified before hiring them.