I’m an electrician and Brits doing DIY at home risk £5k fine if they break little-known rule… don’t get caught out
AN electrician has warned Brits doing DIY at home that they could be at risk of a £5,000 fine - here's how to avoid getting caught out.
While home renovations may seem to come at a cheaper cost, it can be dangerous and you could be slapped with a hefty fine from a lesser-known rule.
Part P of the building regulations for England and Wales was introduced to protect householders.
And many homeowners don't know it states that it is illegal to carry out DIY electrics in "special locations" such as the bathroom or kitchen.
Ignoring this could result in a hefty fine of up to £5,000 as it is a criminal offence to carry out work that does not comply with building regulations.
To make matters worse, not having the appropriate certification when significant electric work is carried out may cause problems when it comes to selling your home.
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John McCallister, an electrical expert at MyJobQuote told : "‘Accidentally hitting one in a wall or floor is incredibly dangerous. If you’re planning to work on lots of DIY projects, it’s worth investing in a wire detector and learning how to use it correctly.
"It’s important to remember that Part P of the UK building regulations make it illegal to carry out DIY electrics in the bathroom or kitchen.
"It goes without saying that electricity is dangerous, so anything beyond changing a bulb, rewiring a plug or spur socket should be left to a qualified electrician."
According to the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), a "special location" is considered to be a bathroom where there is a higher risk giving rise to an increased potential for an electric shock.
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When working in bathrooms certain restrictions must be adhered to
so that switches, and other electrical equipment are installed at safe
distances away from showers, baths and taps where the risk of
mixing electricity and water is increased.
Leaving it to a qualified electrician is the best way to ensure new installations or alterations are certified to meet Building Regulations and are safe to use.
However, it's worth remembering that not all electrical work has to be notified to your local building control department.
While replacements, repairs and maintenance anywhere outside the bathroom and kitchen also have the green light.
You are also able to install a new or replacement item - such as a cooker - to an existing suitable current without a professional.
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It's also important to check if your electrical contactor is registered. If they are not then they will not be allowed to self-certify and notify the work on your behalf.
The experts recommend you to search for a registered electrical contractor in your area before carrying out any works.