Check if you need building control approval

You don’t need to make a building control application for minor electrical work in your home, as long as the work is certified as compliant with the building regulations. This can be done by an electrician or someone else registered under the competent person scheme

Part P building regulations

Work carried out by non-registered traders and DIY work should be checked and certified under Part P of the building regulations. You’ll need to ensure that any electrical work completed on your project complies with these rules.

Find a competent person 

Trade bodies run competent person schemes (CPS) and have registered competent people who meet their required technical standards.

You can find a competent person by searching the Competent Persons Register. 

Doing your own electrical work 

It's often easier and safer to use an electrician registered with the competent person scheme.

If you want to do your own electrical work or use an unregistered person, you’ll need to:

• make a Building Regulations Application, or 
• have the work checked by a member of an electrical competent persons’ scheme 

You can get electrical safety guidance from the Electrical Safety First website. 

Find details of CPS work at a property

If you’re thinking of buying a property, our building control database can give you information on whether a CPS notification has been given for any building work.