Why You Should Always Use Approved Electrical Contractors, and Why Certification & Building Control Notification Matter
By Tobin Electrical Contractors
As a homeowner or business owner, electrical work isn’t something to overlook. Working with electricity carries real risks, from fire hazards to serious personal injury, and getting it right matters for safety, compliance and future property value.
At Tobin Electrical Contractors, we’re passionate about quality, safety and giving our clients confidence that electrical work is done properly and legally. In this blog we explain:
1. What Is NAPIT Approval and Why Does It Matter?
NAPIT stands for the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers. It is one of the UK’s leading electrical competency schemes, and being NAPIT-approved means a contractor has been independently assessed on:
✅ Technical knowledge
✅ Safe working practices
✅ Compliance with current wiring regulations (BS 7671)
✅ Ongoing training and quality standards
Choosing a NAPIT-approved contractor gives you peace of mind that your electrical installation complies with national standards, and that any certification you receive is legally sound.
2. Certification - Not Just a Piece of Paper
When electrical work is carried out in your home or property, the law often requires electrical safety certificates.
You should always get certificated for:
🔹 New or replacement consumer units
🔹 New circuits or significant alterations
🔹 Kitchen and bathroom electrical work (due to increased risk)
🔹 Any installation that becomes part of the fixed wiring
If your contractor is NAPIT-registered, they can issue the correct electrical certificates (such as an Electrical Installation Certificate). This matters for:
3. Building Regulations & Building Control Notification
Electrical work that alters a property’s fixed wiring is usually controlled by Building Regulations. That means:
You must notify Building Control when:
✔ Work affects safety-critical systems
✔ New circuits are installed
✔ Kitchens or bathrooms have new electrical installations
If the work is notifiable (as defined by the regulations), then Building Control must be informed either by:
📌 Your contractor (if they are registered with a competent person scheme like NAPIT), or
📌 You personally notifying your local authority Building Control department
Failing to notify Building Control when required can lead to:
⚠ Legal problems upon sale
⚠ Invalid insurance claims
⚠ Unsatisfactory inspections
A NAPIT-registered contractor can take care of the notification for you, simplifying compliance and safeguarding your property value.
4. Bathrooms & Special Locations - Extra Safety Requirements
Bathrooms are defined as special locations in electrical safety standards, because of the presence of water and increased risk of electrical shock.
Special rules apply:
🔌 Specific zones inside bathrooms dictate what type of fittings and protection can be used (e.g., IP-rated fittings)
🔌 RCD protection is mandatory
🔌 Only qualified professionals should work in these areas
Because of these added risks and regulatory requirements, poor or uncertified bathroom electrical work is both unsafe and non-compliant.
Using a NAPIT-approved contractor ensures:
✔ Proper installation
✔ Correct protective measures are installed
✔ Full certification
✔ Safe Building Control compliance
5. Summary: Protecting You, Your Property, and Your Peace of Mind
At Tobin Electrical Contractors, we strongly recommend:
✨ Always using NAPIT-approved electrical contractors
✨ Never attempting complex electrical work yourself
✨ Ensuring all work is certified
✨ Notifying Building Control where required
✨ Taking extra care with bathrooms and special location installations
Whether it’s a small repair or a full rewire, safety and compliance are not optional, they protect you, your family and the value of your home.
If you want peace of mind and professionally certified electrical work, contact Tobin Electrical Contractors today. We’re fully qualified, NAPIT-approved, and here to help with safe, compliant electrical installations every time.
