Many people find it difficult to find a reputable electrician as quite often the fear is that they are not qualified to carry out the work.  Some home owners base their choice on price and often opt for the cheap option, however this is not recommended as you usually get what you pay for.  However paying for an expensive electrician does not necessarily mean they are qualified or trained to carry out the work.

So how do you find a reputable electrician? Some people choose to search through the internet or yellow pages and may base their decision on instinct. However the best way is often by word of mouth. If you know someone who has had electrical work carried out in their home this is usually the best way to make a decision as you can go and see the standard of work for yourself.

If you do not have any recommendations you should think about checking the electrical safety register. This register was established by ELECSA, ECA and NECIEC. Through being listed on this register electricians have been assessed on the quality of their work including their capabilities and technical qualifications.

The other register that is worth checking is the Trustmark Register as it assesses the standards of the electrician. Those electricians on this list have to meet a very high standard before they can be successfully listed.

Before you make a decision on which electrician you are going to go with make sure you get a quote from them, with a breakdown of the work, the hours and the materials listed. This will give you a good indication how much it will cost you with exact specifications.

Make sure to take into consideration the first impressions of the electrician and consider the following:

• Do they turn up on time when they say they will to carry out the quotation?  This will give you a good indication of how professional and willing they are.
• Do they have public liability insurance? So you are covered if something goes wrong.
• Do they have a uniform with a company logo? This advertising will show the commitment to be a recognisable electrical company.
• Do they give written quotes rather than verbal quotes? Often verbal quotes do not cover all costs and can change each time you enquire.