Tradesperson Quote Checklist: 10 Questions to Ask UK

Before you hire any tradesperson—whether for rewiring, a consumer unit upgrade, or EV charger installation—ask them the ten questions in this article. They will reveal whether you're dealing with a competent, insured, legally compliant professional or someone cutting corners. I've seen jobs go wrong because homeowners didn't ask these basics, and the consequences—from invalidated insurance claims to unresolved safety issues—can cost far more than the initial work.

Why Asking the Right Questions Matters

Most people wouldn't buy a car without checking the history and warranty. Yet plenty of homeowners will hand over £2,000–£5,000 to a tradesperson based on a handshake and a phone quote.

In the electrical trade, this matters more than most. Poor or non-compliant work doesn't just affect your home's value; it poses genuine fire and electrocution risks. And legally, if something goes wrong—a fire, a shock, an insurance claim—you need proof that the work was done by someone qualified and competent.

Under BS 7671 (the UK's standard for electrical safety), and under Building Regulations Part P, certain electrical work must be notified to Building Control or carried out by a registered competent person. If you hire someone who doesn't meet these requirements, you could be liable. Your insurer might refuse a claim if they discover unregulated work caused the damage.

Asking the right questions upfront protects you legally, financially, and physically. It also weeds out cowboys quickly.

1. Are You Registered with a Recognised Competent Body?

This is question one for a reason. It's the strongest single indicator of legitimacy.

In England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, electrical work falls under Part P of Building Regulations. Not all electrical jobs require Building Control notification (minor work like replacing sockets often doesn't), but major work does—consumer unit replacements, rewiring, new circuits, EV charger installation.

If someone is doing notifiable work, they must be registered with a recognised competent body. The main ones are:

• NICEIC (NICEIC Certification Limited)
• ELECSA
• BSI (British Standards Institution)

A tradesperson registered with one of these has been vetted and audited. They're insured, they follow standards, and they issue proper certification. If they're not registered and they're doing notifiable work, the job is not compliant.

Ask: "Which scheme are you registered with, and can you show me your current registration certificate?"

If they say they're "experienced" or "trained" but not registered—or they claim registration "isn't necessary"—move on.

2. Can You Provide References and Recent Examples?

References matter, but they need to be real and recent.

Ask for at least two references for similar work done in the last 12 months. If they're quoting you for a consumer unit upgrade, ask references from other domestic consumer unit jobs. If it's an EV charger installation, ask from recent EV jobs.

Then actually contact those references. Ask:

• Was the work completed on time?
• Did they provide certification?
• Would you use them again?

Also ask to see photos of recent completed work. This sounds basic, but many traders won't have any—which tells you something.

Legitimate traders keep photos and are proud to show them. If someone is evasive about this, that's a flag.

3. What Certifications Will You Provide After Completion?

After any notifiable electrical work, you should receive:

• An Electrical Installation Work Certificate (or an EICR—Electrical Installation Condition Report—if it's an inspection of existing work)
• Test results showing the installation complies with BS 7671

This paperwork isn't a nice-to-have. It's proof of compliance. Your insurer will ask for it. A future buyer's surveyor will expect it. Building Control will require it.

Ask: "What certification will I receive, and who signs it?"

The person who signs the certificate must be a qualified electrician (usually Level 3 NVQ or equivalent, or a registered supervisor). If the tradesperson can't explain what certification you'll get, they don't understand the legal requirements.

4. Is Your Quote Itemised and What's Included?

Never accept a quote that says "rewire: £3,500" and nothing else.

A proper quote should break down:

• Materials (cable, consumer unit, fittings, etc.)—with quantities
• Labour (hours and day rate)
• Testing and certification
• Building Control notification and fees (if applicable)
• Disposal of old materials
• VAT (if applicable)

This itemisation protects you both. It clarifies scope, prevents disputes, and makes it easy to check if the price is reasonable.

Rough ranges (these vary widely by region and complexity):

• Consumer unit replacement: £800–£1,500 plus tests
• Full rewire (3-bed semi): £4,000–£7,000
• EV charger installation: £800–£1,200 (supply and fit)

Vague quotes are a red flag. So are quotes that are dramatically lower than others—usually it means corners will be cut.

5. Do You Have Public Liability Insurance?

Public liability insurance covers damage to your property or a third party's if something goes wrong during the work.

Ask: "Can you show me your public liability insurance certificate?"

You want to see:

• Cover of at least £1 million (most insurers require this for electrical work)
• The certificate is current and valid
• The insurer's name and policy number

If they don't have it or won't show it, don't use them. If their work damages something—or causes an injury—and they're uninsured, you're liable.

6. What's Your Timeline and Project Guarantee?

Get a start date and realistic end date in writing.

Also ask: "What's your guarantee on labour and materials?"

Most reputable traders offer:

• Labour guarantee: 12 months (they'll fix any defects in their workmanship for free)
• Parts guarantee: 12–24 months (manufacturer's warranty, or they'll replace faulty parts)

This should be in writing on your quote or contract. A verbal promise is worthless if something fails and you can't reach them.

Also clarify: who does emergency call-outs if something fails during the guarantee period? Is there an extra charge?

7. Will You Notify Building Control If Required?

This is often where cowboys fall short.

If the work is notifiable (most consumer unit work is, rewiring always is), Building Control must be informed. There are two routes:

1. The tradesperson is registered with a competent body and self-certifies (no separate Building Control involvement needed)

2. The tradesperson notifies Building Control and they inspect the work

Ask: "Will you notify Building Control, and are the fees included in your quote?"

Building Control fees vary by council but typically run £150–£300 for domestic electrical work. Some traders include this; others add it later. Get it in writing.

If they say "Building Control won't need to know," they're either wrong or being dishonest.

8. What Happens If Additional Work is Discovered?

During a consumer unit replacement or rewiring, problems sometimes appear. Old cables might be damaged. The board might be undersized. Damp might be found.

Ask: "If you find additional work needed, will you tell me before doing it, and how will you charge?"

A good answer is: "I'll stop, photograph the issue, and get your permission and a separate quote before proceeding."

A bad answer is: "I'll do it and bill you later," or vagueness.

Agree in advance on the hourly rate for unexpected work, so there are no shocks on the invoice.

9. Are You VAT Registered and Can You Invoice Properly?

If the quote is under £11,500, they might not be VAT registered—and that's fine. But ask anyway.

A proper invoice should show:

• Their business name and contact details
• Your name and address
• What work was done
• Cost breakdown
• VAT (if applicable)
• Invoice date and number

This is a Consumer Rights Act 2015 requirement. It also helps if you need to pursue a complaint or warranty claim later.

If they give you a cash receipt with no details, you have little recourse if the work is poor.

10. Do You Have Warranty Cover for Parts and Labour?

Beyond the tradesperson's own guarantee, ask about:

• Extended warranty: Some traders offer paid extended warranties (e.g., 5-year labour cover)
• Manufacturer warranties: A new consumer unit or EV charger has its own warranty—make sure you get the documentation
• What's covered: Does warranty cover parts only, labour only, or both?

Read the small print. Some warranties are worthless if they exclude common failure modes.

For landlord electrical safety (a growing regulatory area), warranty cover also provides evidence of professional installation if an EICR later identifies an issue.

Red Flags to Watch For When Vetting Tradespeople

• No registration with NICEIC, ELECSA, or BSI for notifiable work
• No references or unwillingness to provide them
• No public liability insurance
• Vague or verbal quotes with no itemisation
• Can't explain Building Control requirements
• Dramatically cheaper than competitors (usually means rushed or non-compliant work)
• No mention of certification or testing
• Won't provide a written contract or guarantee
• Pressure to pay in cash upfront
• No landline or fixed business address—only a mobile and a Facebook page

The Legal Protection Checklist

Before you hire, ensure you'll receive:

• ☐ Itemised, written quote with start and end dates
• ☐ Proof of NICEIC, ELECSA, or BSI registration
• ☐ Public liability insurance certificate (£1M+)
• ☐ Written guarantee (labour 12 months minimum)
• ☐ Confirmation of Building Control notification (if needed)
• ☐ Contract or terms and conditions
• ☐ Hourly rate for unexpected work
• ☐ Warranty documentation for parts
• ☐ Proper invoice after completion
• ☐ Electrical Installation Certificate or EICR after completion

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I really need Building Control notification for a consumer unit replacement?

Yes, in most cases. Consumer unit work is notifiable under Part P unless it's genuinely minor (e.g., a like-for-like circuit breaker swap). If you're unsure, ask your local Building Control office—they'll tell you. Many councils are stricter now, especially after fires linked to poor electrical work.

Q: What if the tradesperson is registered but their price seems high?

Registration doesn't guarantee cheapness, but it does guarantee compliance and insurance. Compare quotes from at least three registered traders. If one is £2,000 cheaper than the others for the same scope, ask why. It might be legitimate (they're efficient), or it might mean they're cutting corners. Ask for detail.

Q: Can I do the electrical work myself?

For notifiable work (rewiring, consumer unit replacement, new circuits), no—under Part P, you must use a registered competent person or notify Building Control yourself (which requires an inspection and approval). Minor work like replacing sockets is permitted for homeowners. If in doubt, ask Building Control.

Q: What's an EICR and do I need one?

An EICR is a safety inspection and test of existing electrical installation. Landlords must provide one every 5 years (Landlord Electrical Safety Regulations). Homeowners don't legally need one, but it's sensible if the installation is old or you've never had it checked. A proper EICR costs £150–£300 and takes 2–3 hours. It reveals faults and guides remedial work.

Q: What if the tradesperson doesn't complete work to standard?

If they're registered with NICEIC, ELECSA, or BSI, you can lodge a complaint with the scheme. They have dispute resolution processes. If they're not registered and the work is poor, your legal recourse is limited—you'd need to pursue a small claims court case (costly and slow). This is why registration matters.

Key Takeaway: Protecting Your Electrical Installation

Asking these ten questions takes 20 minutes on the phone. Sorting out a botched electrical job takes months and costs thousands—or leads to an insurance claim being denied.

A registered, insured, experienced tradesperson will answer all of these questions clearly and provide written evidence. If they don't, they're not the right person for the job.

Whether it's rewiring, a consumer unit upgrade, an EV charger, or an EICR, protect yourself. Get it in writing. Check their credentials. Verify references. And don't proceed until you understand what you'll receive.

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If you're looking for electrical work in North East England—consumer unit replacements, rewiring, EV charger installation, or condition reports—[get in touch with Energy North Ltd](https://energynorth.uk). We're NICEIC-registered and can walk you through the questions in this article. No pressure; just honest advice.