You’ve found your new home – but is it safe? We identify some potential pitfalls regarding electrics
You’ve trawled round endless properties, found the house of your dreams, done your sums and made a decision. These are exciting times and it’s all too easy to get caught up in the euphoria and forget about the basics. But before you sign on the dotted line, you need to ensure that your investment is sound.
Homebuyer's reports do not cover electrics
It is very likely that faults with your electrical system will not be found during the course of a normal Homebuyer’s Report. In order to protect yourself and your investment, it makes good sense to get a separate electrical survey carried out by an approved electrical contractor. It may well be the case that your electrical system needs attention and this could be both dangerous and costly. Your property may need to be totally rewired and this could cost more than you bargained for, so it’s important to get your electrics checked before you commit to buying.
How to get an electrical survey
An electrical survey is quick and easy to obtain. Getting an electrical survey done need not hold up the house buying process; it’s simple to arrange and to carry out, and won’t cost the earth. The first thing you must do is contact an electrician. Safety in your home is vital and the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) strongly recommends that you choose an approved contractor to carry out your survey. An NICEIC-approved contractor will do the job safely and to the requirements of the national safety standards.
Will my property be damaged?
Don’t be alarmed about how the survey will affect the appearance of your new property – walls will not be drilled nor will floorboards be torn up. NICEIC-approved contractors are highly skilled and able to carry out an electrical survey by visual inspection. They know the tell-tale signs of damage and deterioration in your system which will give away the age of the installation. There will be very little, if any, disruption to your new home as a result of the survey.
If work does need to be done, make sure that:
You negotiate with your vendor a percentage of the value of the work to be deducted from the asking price of your new property
You get a full quote for any work that needs to be carried out and agree the specifications with your electrician
Your electrician brings catalogues so you can choose any new fittings you might want
Your electrician chases cables into the walls so that they become invisible
Your electrician does not run cables into the cavity of external walls
Your electrician tests his work when the job is done and issues you with a certificate (all NICEIC-approved contractors will do this as a matter of course)
When it comes to house buying, the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) is here to help. The NICEIC is an independent consumer safety organisation, which offers helpful advice on electrical safety. The
NICEIC's register of approved contractors is the place to find an electrician – all contractors on the register meet the Council's comprehensive skills and knowledge criteria and are assessed on an ongoing basis to ensure their technical capability and standard of work meets national safety standards.
Finding a local approved contractor couldn't be simpler. Either visit the NICEIC website – niceic.org.uk – or contact the NICEIC helpline on 020 7564 2320.