What Part P Actually Covers, and Who Can Sign It Off
Not all electrical work is notifiable, and knowing which is which saves money.
Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in dwellings in England and Wales. It is widely misquoted in both directions — some jobs treated as notifiable when they are not, and some genuinely notifiable work done without any certificate at all.
What Is Notifiable
Installing a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit, and any work in a location containing a bath or shower. That is broadly it for domestic work, and each requires notification to building control.
What Is Not
Replacing a like-for-like socket or switch, changing a light fitting, or adding a socket to an existing circuit outside a special location. These still need doing correctly and testing, and a Minor Works certificate is good practice, but they are not notifiable.
Two Routes to Compliance
Either a registered competent person self-certifies through a scheme such as NICEIC, or you pay building control to inspect. The second route is considerably more expensive and slower, which is why registration matters when choosing a contractor.
What Happens If Nobody Notifies
The work is unlawful, and it surfaces at exactly the wrong moment — during a sale, when the buyer’s solicitor asks for certificates that do not exist. Retrospective regularisation is possible and costs a great deal more than doing it properly first time.
The One Question Worth Asking
“Are you registered, and which scheme?” Then check the number on the scheme’s own website rather than taking the logo on the van at face value.