Handyman and Electrical Work

[Scotty_Ian]

I recently started up my own handyman business and wondered what I am allowed to do in terms of electrical work in customers houses. The sort of thing I am talking about is changing mains sockets, light fittings, light switches, extending existing ring mains... I know that for work in bathrooms and kitchens the work has to be checked out by a registered sparky. I feel I am pretty competant and safe when it comes to electrical work, having been an electrical / electronic tradesman in the forces and done loads of DIY work on my own house.

Would I have to provide a Minor Works Certificate for any electrical work I did?

Thanks for any info.

 

[Octopus]

Do you have any test equipment? A copy of BS 7671 AMD3?

EDIT: Part P doesn't apply in Scotland

 

[Pete999]

I recently started up my own handyman business and wondered what I am allowed to do in terms of electrical work in customers houses. The sort of thing I am talking about is changing mains sockets, light fittings, light switches, extending existing ring mains... I know that for work in bathrooms and kitchens the work has to be checked out by a registered sparky. I feel I am pretty competant and safe when it comes to electrical work, having been an electrical / electronic tradesman in the forces and done loads of DIY work on my own house.

Would I have to provide a Minor Works Certificate for any electrical work I did?

Thanks for any info.

If you have added or altered an EXISTING circuit the answer is yes. I do voluntary work as a Handy Man for AgeUK I won't touch electrics, soley because their insurance won't cover me.

 

[camerabloke]

Popcorn on standby

 

[Pete999]

Popcorn on standby

You like your popcorn Camerabloke.

 

[camerabloke]

So many varieties

 

[Pete999]

So many varieties

You should know Mate, you have been recomending pocorn a lot lately, best try some Vindaloo for your sore B-m, only you will understand that one, any good films on at Sixfields worth watching?

 

[The Ghost]

I'm gonna get my vindaloo!

 

[Christopher Bernard]

I like yogurt popcorn, but you can never get it anywhere now

 

[Risteard]

I recently started up my own handyman business and wondered what I am allowed to do in terms of electrical work in customers houses.

You are allowed to advise them to contact an Electrician.

 

[westward10]

I like yogurt popcorn, but you can never get it anywhere now

If you can never get it how do you know you like it.

 

[Wilko]

Hi Ian and Welcome to the Forum !
Perhaps something to investigate is insurance for the scope of work you envisage. Not to scare you, but (in my humble opinion) if your home diy went wrong and caused damage, your home insurance company may deny liability. Their assumption is works are done to a standard, which would include testing and certification. Same thought applies to work in someone else's house.

 

[Tes369]

This smells like a wind up like the "variation in prices thread" =

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

If you have added or altered an EXISTING circuit the answer is yes. I do voluntary work as a Handy Man for AgeUK I won't touch electrics, soley because their insurance won't cover me.

And the funny thing is @Pete999 you are likely more qualified and better experienced than the freshly qualified sparks they will call in at high hourly rates. For the sake of a liability policy costing less than £100 they are missing a good opportunity there.

 

[Octopus]

There's a handy man on my "patch" who doesn't think any testing is necessary ........................ until things got out of hand and he called me in!

He watched what I did, using my tester to locate the fault - and still doesn't think a tester is necessary ................... dipstick.