DIY Electrical Works - is it worth it, and how does Part P
affect me?
So what's changed?
Consider the dramatic increase over the last 10 to 15 years of
electrical equipment in the home such as:
Bathrooms - low voltage lighting, electric showers,
under-floor heating (popular in bathrooms with tiled floors).
Entertainment systems - computer systems, videos,
televisions', (every child's bedroom seems to have a system
nowadays).
Bedrooms - electric blankets, hair dryers, hair tongs.
Kitchens - dishwashers, tumble dryers, freezers,
microwaves, blenders, sandwich makers. Gardens - lawn
mowers, hedge trimmers, pond pumps and lighting.
Is it any wonder, then, that each year on average there are 10
deaths, 750 serious injuries and 12,500 fires caused either by
faulty electrical work carried out by ambitious DIY enthusiasts,
"cowboy" electricians or deteriorating electrical installations?
As such, electrical work with a few minor exceptions carried
out in the home is being regulated as part of the Building
Regulations under Part P and is effective from the 1st of
January 2005.
Failure to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations is a
criminal offence and could result in the order by the
local authority to remove or put right faulty workmanship and
fine you up to