Help! Electrical work in bathroom

[Bathroomcerts]

Our bathroom renovation has started, the installer was recommended by a reputable bathroom shop.

I have only just realised electrical work in bathroom is notifiable and needs to be done by certified electrician. I am currently not sure if that is the case, when I asked they said they can arrange for test certificate if we wish. Is this sufficient? DH thinks I'm neurotic and it's not big deal, it wouldn't invalidate insurance, but I really want things to be done properly.

Unfortunately we should have clarified this months ago and are now committed. What should I do from here?

Towel rail will be installed, as well as extraction, spotlights and underfloor heating.

Is it new major works, or replacing existing (which can be carried out by a competent person)?

When we converted our garage including a new bathroom, the builder did have a qualified electrician out to test and certify the works he had carried out.

So yes, I would want the fitter to arrange this for you if it is new major works. I'd also wonder why it wasn't included as part of the original scope of works.

Thanks @Twasasurprise . They said no new circuits needed so no major works.

Good to know your builder did the work then had someone come certify it as it sounds like that is what they would do here too, but it seems only because I specifically requested it!

He said electrician can test and issue Minor Works Certificate. I am hoping this is enough, but also concerned whether that is sufficient for a bathroom, or if the works must be completed by a certified electrician in the first place?

How do people know these things? We're totally clueless and it hadn't crossed our minds, we were just happy someone could do it all!

That sounds quite reassuring actually if it's all minor works on the original circuit. If your electrics are fairly new or have been tested relatively recently, additional testing might not be necessary though.

If an electrician is coming out anyway, for peace of mind you might want to consider commissioning an electrical condition report for the whole property, called an EICR. (They are mandatory every 5 years in rented properties.)

I hope the refit goes well!

Thank you! Building works always seem to trigger major anxiety, I think because I am clueless so feel at the mercy of the people doing the work!

My worry was that it sounded like the bathroom fitter was going to do the electrics himself, but now as I asked he will also get an electrician to come and test/issue certificate for the work. Not sure if that is dodgy.

We saw three bathroom fitters and had no doubts about this one, he was recommended, seemed really knowledgeable and provided us a detailed and comprehensive quote for the work (unlike the others who were very half-arsed). But now the work has started I am questioning everything!

Good luck finding an electrician who will certify someone else's work, if you do, i would question that.

When we had our bathroom done, all electrical work, existing or new, needed certification and the rest of the house's electrics tested too, unless a new CU fitted just for the bathroom, in that case, its just everything from the new CU (consumer unit)

The sparkies prices were all in the quote and he visited too.

The fitter knew the sparky very well - drinking and clay pigeon shooting buddies but insisted he did the work... its the electricians livelihood at stake if something went wrong.

Thanks. I did ask upfront if it was a certified electrician doing the work or if he will be getting someone to retrospectively test and certify, but he just replied "yes electrician will provide test/minor works certificate" so that is annoyingly still unclear. We will have a discussion when he next comes in to get to the bottom of it.

He has installed many bathrooms for 15 years, and has a team of people so I would imagine one is an electrician but I just don't know. In this case why would the certificate come at an extra cost? It should surely be standard? Maybe he works with an electrician but in this case as it is minor he thought maybe he's just do himself?

I don't want to be a pain and question things I don't understand myself and annoy him but equally I need to make sure we're protected

Hopeful bump

Just need to check what is being done, ie minor works (Meicw) changes or renewal of existing or a EIC for a new cct, eg CU, underfloor heating, new towel rail etc.

You shouldn't have to pay extra for this, well i didn't, it should all be laid out for you very clearly in the quote.

Some electricians will allow a builder to lay in new cables and then the electrician will supply and connect up all equipment but i would clarify all of the above with the builder and how you will get any certifications.

Thank you, that gives me the confidence of knowing what to ask tomorrow and not feel like I am being nitpicky as it sounds like it is fair to ask!

Fingers crossed they were planning to have it all done by a certified electrician all along and we don't have to put things on hold while we source someone to do those parts of the job!