The kitchen fitter is ready to start. The quote includes a new socket circuit and extractor fan. The electrician says the work is “certified”.
In Swansea, check what this means. It may mean a BS 7671 test certificate, Welsh Building Regulations notification, or both.
Not every job needs a “certified electrician”. All work must still be safe, compliant, and backed by the right paperwork.
If work changes a circuit, protective device, earthing arrangement, or fixed wiring, use a competent electrician. Expect inspection, testing, and written evidence.
High-risk work needs a clear route
Consumer unit replacements need proper design and testing. The same applies to new circuits for cookers, EV chargers, showers, garden offices, heat pumps, and extensions.
The electrician must assess load, cable route, protection, and the earthing system. These checks help prevent shock, fire, and overloaded cables.
Small jobs are not automatically DIY jobs
A like-for-like socket front, switch, or light fitting may not need Building Control notification. It still needs safe isolation and correct connections.
The fitting must suit the location. Checks are still needed before the circuit is switched back on.
Small work can still cause serious faults.
| Task | Main risk | Usual certificate | Notifiable in England? | Who should certify? |
|---|
| Replace consumer unit | Fire, shock, failed protection | EIC | Usually yes | Testing-competent electrician |
| Install a new circuit | Overload, shock, fire | EIC | Usually yes | Testing-competent electrician |
| Add a spur or fixed accessory | Poor connections, overload | Minor Works Certificate | Often no | Competent electrician |
| Replace socket or light fitting | Shock, loose connections | Record where needed | Usually no | Competent person |
| Outdoor power or garden office | Water, buried cable, shock | EIC or Minor Works | Depends on scope | Testing-competent electrician |
A job can be electrically safe but still need a separate Building Regulations process. BS 7671 testing concerns the electrical installation itself.
The electrician designs, inspects, and tests the fixed wiring. They then record the result on an Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Works Certificate.
Building Regulations are a separate legal requirement. Building Control notification is the formal route for work that must be notified.
A like-for-like accessory change may need neither notification nor a formal certificate. A new circuit or consumer unit usually needs full testing and a clear Welsh compliance route.
Do not treat the word “certified” as proof that every requirement has been met.
Welsh notification differs from England's Part P list
Swansea follows Building Regulations in Wales. Check the Welsh notification route instead of relying on England-only Part P guidance.
England, Wales, Scotland, and NI differ
The England column in the table is for comparison only. Building Control systems differ across the UK.
Check current Welsh Government guidance. You can also check with Swansea Council Building Control before work starts.
Three routes can make work compliant
Use a relevant Competent Person Scheme installer, such as NICEIC or NAPIT. They may self-certify eligible work.
If the installer is not registered, agree a Building Control route first. A valid third-party route may also be available.
Choose the route before work starts:Registered installer→ self-certifies eligible workNot registered→ confirm Building Control or a valid third-party routeWork complete→ receive EIC or Minor Works Certificate
Verify registration, insurance, and certificates before work starts
Before accepting a quote, confirm which documents are included. Ask who will test the work.
Also ask whether the installer can use the required Welsh compliance route. Get these answers before work begins.
Ask these questions before booking an appointment
Ask which certificate the electrician will issue. Ask whether notification is included.
Ask whether their registration covers domestic self-certification. Check the registration with the scheme, not only a website badge.
- Get the work description in writing, including each new circuit and accessory.
- Agree whether you will receive an EIC, Minor Works Certificate, notification proof, or more than one document.
- Keep certificates with property records for sale, insurance, letting, and later alterations.
- Do not confuse an EICR with a completion certificate for new work.
Match the document to the work
An EIC certifies new installation work after testing. A Minor Works Certificate often covers a tested change to an existing circuit.
An EICR reports the condition of existing wiring. It cannot replace a completion certificate for new work.
This guide is not enough for industrial installations, high-voltage systems, distributor networks, or specialist regulated sites. If there is smoke, sparking, a burning smell, exposed live cable, or an electric shock, isolate the supply only if safe. Then contact an emergency electrician or emergency services.
The job title alone does not show what someone can certify. An electrician is a broad description.
A qualified electrician may have relevant training and experience. They may not be registered to self-certify domestic Building Regulations work.
An approved electrician is often a title from an employer or certification body. Do not assume it means Building Regulations registration.
A competent person needs knowledge, practical skill, and testing ability for that specific job.
A NICEIC installer or NAPIT installer may self-certify eligible domestic work. They must be registered under the right Competent Person Scheme.
Check the person or business listing and its registration scope. Do not rely on a van logo or website badge.
Ask about the paperwork timetable before accepting the quote.
For a consumer unit, rewiring, or new circuit, request the Electrical Installation Certificate after testing and commissioning are complete. It should name the installation and work covered.
It should also show test results and responsible signatures. These details show who accepted responsibility for the work.
For a change to an existing circuit, the Minor Works Certificate should name the circuit. It should also describe the change, not the whole property.
If Welsh Building Regulations notification applies, ask who will submit it. Ask when you will get the resulting compliance confirmation.
Check the installer’s live Competent Person Scheme entry on appointment day. Keep every document with the property records.
FAQs
What electrical work requires a certified electrician?
New circuits, consumer unit replacements, rewiring, fixed outdoor supplies, and shower circuits need a competent electrician. They also need proper testing.
In Swansea, confirm the Welsh Building Regulations notification route before work begins.
Can I replace a socket myself in Swansea?
A like-for-like socket replacement may not need notification. It must still be safe and correctly connected.
Stop if wiring is damaged, the circuit is old, or you cannot safely isolate it. You must verify that it is dead.
Is a consumer unit replacement notifiable in Swansea?
A consumer unit replacement normally needs a formal compliance route. It also needs an Electrical Installation Certificate.
Confirm the current Welsh notification process with the installer and Swansea Council before the job starts.
What is the difference between an EIC and an EICR?
An EIC certifies new installation work after testing. An EICR reports on the condition of existing wiring.
An EICR cannot replace an EIC for a new consumer unit or circuit.
How do I check if an electrician is registered?
Check the person’s current listing with NICEIC, NAPIT, or the scheme named in their quote. Do this directly on the scheme register.
Also ask whether their registration covers domestic work and self-certification for your proposed job.
Does bathroom electrical work always need notification?
Not always, because the answer depends on the work and Welsh compliance route. A new bathroom circuit needs competent design and testing.
The same applies to altered protective measures or a new shower supply. Clear paperwork is also needed.
Can an unregistered electrician issue a certificate?
A competent electrician can issue BS 7671 electrical certificates for work they designed, inspected, and tested properly. Registration is not the same as testing skill.
Being unregistered may prevent domestic Building Regulations self-certification. Agree the alternative route before installation.
