The Short Answer
Yes, you should use an electrician when conducting electrical work in your home. Using an electrician for light fitting installations means that the highest level of electrical expertise is applied to fitting your light. However, people often think that calling an electrician to fit a light is an unnecessary cost without much-added benefit. In fact, using an electrician for a light fitting installation can be the most economic option–and is certainly the safest.
Why use an electrician to change a light fitting?
An electrician has the highest level of expertise in home electrics. Using an electrician to install a light fitting means that the work done is of the highest quality, that the work is safe and that insurance and warranty remain unaffected in the case of accidents.
Quality work
Electricians understand home electrical systems better than anyone else and can apply this understanding to all of your electrical jobs. Work done by a handyman or a friend isn’t backed up by this level of understanding. The quality of electrical work done by an electrician is much higher than electrical work done by anyone else.
Personal safety
An electric shock from a light fitting can cause a heart attack or death, and faulty electrical fittings are a common cause of fires. Electrical work done by an electrician is of higher quality and is therefore safer. The risk of electric shocks or fires caused by a light fitting installed is lower if it has been installed by an electrician.
Insurance claims
Insurance companies are only able to pay out on claims for damage caused by electrical fittings if the fitting has an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). An electrician is the only person able to issue an EIC other than the council. Using an electrician ensures that you can successfully claim insurance in the event of damage caused by a light fitting.
Does all electrical work in my home need an electrical certificate?
An EIC is a statement from an electrician that they have tested an electrical fitting, and that the fitting is safe. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a study describing the condition of the entire system of home electrics. These are mainly for insurance but are also a legal requirement for all electrical work which falls under Part P of the building regulations.
How long does an electrical certificate last?
For domestic dwellings, the EIC remains valid for insurance purposes for up to ten years.
Light fitting warranty
If you find a fault with your light fitting, you will most likely want to take the light fitting back to the shop to ask for a refund or replacement. The company selling the light fitting may ask for an EIC. Using an electrician to install a light fitting especially if it is larger or more unusual will ensure that an EIC is issued and that a full refund or replacement can be made if a technical issue occurs.
Do I need an Electrical Safety Report to sell my home?
An EICR is not required legally as part of a house sale. However, having one is a selling point that you can use with prospective buyers to help them in the decision to buy your home. The solicitor responsible for selling your house may also ask you to fill out a property information report. Having an EICR to hand will save time in filling out this form.
Can I hire a handyman to change a light fitting?
Legally, a handyman can change your light fitting. However, it impacts home insurance and the warranty on the light fitting. In many cases, an electrician wouldn’t cost you much more.
Work Quality
Unlike an electrician, a handyman is not a specialist in home electrical systems. This means they do not have the same skills and experience as an electrician. Electrical work done by a handyman may therefore be of lower quality than an electrician’s.
Steven MacDonald a qualified electrician based in the UK advises that “20% of work is fixing other installer’s mistakes. Usually, this is down to a homeowner finding a friend or handyman who says they can do some electrical work but ends up causing damage to their home”.
Insurance (no EIC)
A handyman cannot issue an EIC for electrical work, including a light fitting. In the event of an accident, you will not be able to provide the EIC when asked by the insurance company. This means you will have to pay for repairs. The company that sold you the light fitting may also refuse a refund if it has been installed by a handyman.
Does an electrician cost more than a handyman?
An electrician typically charges £30-60 per hour (£240 per day). This isn’t a huge amount more than the cost of a handyman, and in many cases may actually be the same.
My electrical job is very easy, why can’t I do it myself?
Some electrical jobs can be done without special tools, and doing them doesn’t break any laws. However, carrying out such work yourself invalidates home insurance and any electrical fitting warranties in the event of damage caused by a faulty installation. It also increases the chances of needing to make an insurance claim due to poor workmanship.
Conclusion
Using an electrician ensures the highest standard of electrical work, and reduces the risk of any electrical damage in the home. The EIC supplied by an electrician enables you to claim on insurance in case anything goes wrong, maintains a light-fitting warranty and ensures that everyone is kept safe. In many cases, using an electrician to install a light fitting doesn’t cost more than hiring a non-electrical specialist such as a handyman.
Author Profile
- Adam is an in-house technical writer for Scotlight Direct, a website dedicated to providing the latest and most accurate information on lighting topics. With a passion for writing and a deep understanding of various lighting concepts and designs. Adam has been a valuable asset to the team since joining in 2019.
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