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An important part of choosing the right electrician is finding a tradesperson with the right qualifications.

For electricians in the UK, you’ll want to look out for the following essential qualifications:

• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (the industry-standard qualification for electricians)

• NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (an equivalent qualification to the City & Guilds Level 3)

• AM2 Assessment (a practical assessment that demonstrates competence in electrical installation work)

  There are also some additional qualifications and accreditations that reputable electricians may also have:

• 18th Edition Wiring Regulations

• Part P Certification

• ECA (Electrical Contractors' Association) or NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) membership

  Whichever qualifications an electrician has, ask for evidence of their credentials or check their details using online registers.

One of the easiest ways to check if an electrician is qualified in the UK is to ask for their National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) ID card.

The NICEIC is a national organisation that regulates electricians in the UK to ensure a competent level of training and qualifications.

You can also check if an electrician is registered by using the NICEIC ‘find a contractor’ tool.

Being qualified through NICEIC means the electrician will have completed a series of assessments that will have covered a sample of their work, their premises, documentation, and equipment.

Check the Competent Person Register

The Electrical Competent Person Scheme is another online search tool that lets you check if an electrician is registered on their scheme.

Anyone on this register will have been authorised by the Government to self-certify that their work is compliant with Building Regulations.

As part of this scheme, electricians have to meet strict entry requirements and will have their work regularly assessed to ensure that they maintain a high level of professional competence and meet the correct standards.

Reasons to hire a qualified electrician

When dealing with electrical work, here’s why you should always hire a qualified electrician in Kirkwall:

• A qualified electrician is highly skilled in dealing with electrical systems and appliances to ensure any work is carried out to a high standard

• It’s a legal obligation for some electrical work to comply with BS7671 wiring regulations and Part P of Building Regulations, which a qualified electrician can do

• Formally qualified electricians know the best way to deal with electrical issues, which can save you time, money and hassle

• It gives you peace of mind knowing that a qualified professional is carrying out the electrical work

• Qualifications and accreditations are a sign that an electrician is dedicated to their trade and will have the appropriate level of knowledge to correctly carry out the work

Unsure about an electrician's credibility?

If you have doubts about the credibility of any electrician that you’re dealing with, don’t be afraid to take extra steps to ensure that they are indeed qualified and fit to do the job.

You should never take chances when it comes to dealing with electrical work for your home.

If they still can’t reassure you of their experience and abilities, move on and find an electrician who can.

For more tips and advice, check out our guide to finding a good local electrician.

Generally, we would recommend that you hire an experienced local electrician to carry out any electrical work in your home.

If a job involves your home's wiring or any installation that connects to your fuse box, it likely needs a qualified electrician. This is especially true for work in bathrooms, kitchens or outdoors, where there's increased risk due to water or weather exposure.

Examples include:

• Rewiring part or all of your home
• Installing or replacing a fuse box (consumer unit)
• Adding or moving power sockets or light switches
• Installing hardwired appliances like cookers or electric showers
• Fitting new lighting systems, indoors or out
• Electrical installations in sheds, outbuildings or gardens

Some types of electrical work fall under Part P of the Building Regulations, which means the work must either be signed off by local Building Control or carried out by a registered electrician who can self-certify.

Using a qualified electrician ensures the work is compliant and safe.

The cost to hire an electrician in Kirkwall varies depending on the type and complexity of the job, when it needs doing, and how experienced the electrician is.

Here are some average costs for electricians in Kirkwall:

• Call-out charge – £45
• Emergency call-out charge – £90 per hour
• Hourly rate – £45 - £60 per hour
• Day rate – £400 per day

For more information about prices per hour, check out our guide to electrician hourly rates.

Common job costs:

• Add a plug socket: £125 (single), £200 (double)
• Outdoor socket: £110
• Move a socket: £150
• Rewire a 3-bed house: £6,225 (can vary based on property size and layout)

Bear in mind you might pay more in certain circumstances, e.g. in a city centre or during out-of-hours work. The best way to get a fair price is to compare a few quotes from electricians who work locally. And don’t forget to ask if the quote includes materials, VAT, and any follow-up work or certification.

Electrician cost to rewire a house in Kirkwall

One of the most common jobs that electricians are hired for is to rewire a property, to make sure that all wiring is in good working order.

Here are some of the average costs to rewire a house in Kirkwall:

• 1-bed flat – £3,900
• 2-bed flat – £4,800
• 3-bed flat – £5,650
• 1-bed house – £4,200
• 2-bed house – £4,800
• 3-bed house – £6,225
• 4-bed house – £7,730
• 5-bed house – £10,000

Exact costs can vary between individual electricians, so it’s helpful to get multiple quotes before choosing an electrician to hire.

A good chat with electricians who cover your local area can help you whittle down your options and find the right tradesperson for the job.

To help you with the conversations, here are some questions to ask your electricians working in Kirkwall:

• Are you a registered member of a government-approved scheme, such as the Competent Person Register?
• How long have you been working as an electrician?
• What experience do you have with this type of job?
• Can you provide recent customer references or reviews?
• Can you show proof of insurance?
• Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
• How much do you charge, and what are the payment terms?
• What’s included in your quote? (Consider whether it covers all materials, certification and VAT)
• When can you start, and how long will it take?
• How do you handle unexpected costs or delays?

Find more questions to ask and other top tips in our guide to finding good local electricians.

Making changes to your home’s electrical system requires expert knowledge and experience to carry out any work safely and efficiently.

We always recommend hiring an experienced electrician in Kirkwall to do any electrical jobs in your home.

Your safety comes first

Electrical products should always be installed in line with local Building Regulations, to ensure that you and your home are not exposed to unnecessary safety risks.

By hiring a qualified electrician you can be confident that they will carry out their work to a high standard and in line with all current legislation and regulations.

Part P of Building Regulations 2010 dictates that all work that involves adding a new circuit or carrying out any electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms must either:

• Notify Building Control with a building regulation application, or

• Be carried out by a registered Competent Person

So, when choosing an electrician, check they’re registered as part of the Part P self-certification scheme before hiring them.

How much does adding a plug socket cost?

The average cost of adding a single plug socket to a room is around £125, depending on the condition of your electrical system, the complexity of the installation, and the individual electrician.

For a double socket, the cost is about £200, and if you want to add an outdoor socket then the average price is in the region of £110.

If you want to move a plug socket, rather than install a new one, the average electrician cost in Kirkwall for the job is about £150.

As a general rule, you should have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out every 5-10 years.

However, if you notice any signs of electrical issues or unusual electrical behaviour in your home, get your wiring checked immediately.

Benefits of an EICR

Here are some of the reasons why it’s a good idea to have your electrical wiring checked regularly:

• Keep you and your home safe and identify any potential electrical hazards
• It’s a requirement for many home insurers to ensure your insurance is valid
• Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your electrical system is safe
• Potentially boost your property value by having well-maintained electrics
• Avoid expensive issues by identifying potential electrical problems early
• Comply with Building Regulations and current electrical safety standards

If you think it’s time you had your wiring checked, check out our tips on how to find the best EICR specialists near you.

How much does an electrical safety check cost?

The average cost for an EICR for residential properties is around £100 - £250.

Not sure what an electrical safety check covers? Why not read our comprehensive guide to see what an electrician will include in their report.

Your fuse box is the main electrical component that distributes electricity and protects the electrical circuits in your home.

However, sometimes fuse boxes have issues and it’s important to spot any tell-tale signs as early as possible.

To help you identify potential problems, here are some of the common signs that you may have a faulty fuse box:

• The fuse box keeps tripping
• You notice a burning smell
• Fuses frequently blow
• Your fuse box is warm to the touch
• You can hear unusual crackling or popping noises coming from the fuse box
• The lights in your home are flickering lights or dimming on their own
• You get a slight shock when touching plugs or using electrical appliances in your home
• There are noticeable burn marks on the fuse box itself

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get the help of a qualified electrician. When it comes to the safety of you and your home, don’t wait.

Find out about other electrical issues in our guide to common electrical faults in UK homes.

As with most tradespeople who you hire to carry out work in your home, it’s important to choose an electrician with the right insurance.

By having appropriate insurance, the electrician is covered and you are protected in the event of an accident or injury.

The two most important types of insurance to check that your electrician has are:

• Public liability insurance – This protects the electrician and their business from claims if someone is injured or their property is damaged while they’re working
• Employers liability insurance – If the electrician employs workers, they are legally required to have insurance that covers them as an employer

There are also additional types of insurance that responsible electricians might also have. They include:

• Tools and equipment insurance (in case of theft or damage)
• Van insurance
• Professional indemnity insurance (for design or advisory services)
• Personal accident and income protection

Whenever speaking to electricians, always ask them about their insurance and get them to provide proof of their coverage.

Yes, you usually do. If you’re installing an electric cooker that needs to be hardwired into your mains electricity (as opposed to plugging into a standard socket), it’s essential to use a qualified electrician. This type of installation involves working with high-voltage circuits and should meet the standards set out in Part P of the Building Regulations.

A qualified electrician will be able to assess the existing wiring, check the fuse box, and install the correct circuit breaker if required. They’ll also issue the relevant certification once the job is complete - an important step if you ever plan to sell or rent your property.

Attempting to install a cooker yourself without the proper knowledge can be dangerous. For your safety (and to stay compliant with building regulations), always get a qualified electrician to carry out the work.

Electricians are trained to install, maintain and repair electrical systems in homes, businesses and other buildings. Their work covers a broad range of tasks, including:

• Installing wiring, lighting, fuse boxes and power points
• Diagnosing and fixing electrical faults
• Fitting appliances such as ovens, showers and extractor fans
• Upgrading old or unsafe systems to meet current standards
• Carrying out Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)
• Ensuring all work meets building regulations and safety codes

Some electricians specialise in specific areas, like smart home tech or renewable energy systems, while others offer general domestic or commercial services - anything from small repairs to a full rewire.

Electrical issues aren’t always dramatic, but they can pose serious risks if ignored. Call an electrician if you notice any of the following:

• Frequent tripping of the fuse box or circuit breakers
• Flickering or dimming lights, especially when using multiple appliances
• Burning smells or scorch marks near sockets or switches
• Buzzing or crackling sounds from outlets or behind walls
• Electric shocks when touching appliances or plugs
• Outlets that don't work or are warm to the touch

These could be signs of faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or other hidden problems that could cause fire or electric shock. It’s always better to get things checked early by an electrician working in Kirkwall.

According to the figures in our electrician rates cost guide, electricians typically charge between £45 and £60 per hour. However, rates can vary depending on location, time of day, and the type of work. Emergency call-outs or work outside of normal hours (like evenings or weekends) tend to cost more - expect upwards of £90 per hour in those cases.

Some electricians offer flat day rates (around £400), which can work out cheaper for bigger jobs. Always check what’s included in the price, like materials, certification or follow-up visits.

When you’re hiring a local electrician, it’s smart to get a few itemised quotes first. That way, you can compare prices and avoid any surprises later on.