How to Conform.  The Governments Preferred Method

The governments preferred method is to use an electrical contractor who can "Self Certify" the works.  To explain, when the government introduced Part P and made most electrical work notifiable to building control, it soon realised that most local building control departments had neither the expertise or resources to handle the applications for people wanting to carry out electrical works in their homes.  To get over this problem the government introduced the "Competent Person Self-Certification Scheme".  They appointed five controlling bodies to vet persons/electrical contractors to ensure that they had suitable knowledge of BS-7671 and the Building Regulations.  Once the person/contractor has gained approval from one of the controlling bodies they can then carry out works and "Self Certify" them.  What this means to the customer is that they can order the works with their preferred electrical contractor without going through all the delays of notifying Building Control.  When the approved contractor completes the works they tests the installation in accordance with BS-7671 and Part P, and then issue the customer with a copy of the electrical test certificate.  They should also issue the customer with maintenance documentation and where appropriate, operating instructions.  This may sound over the top but some installations are not only very high tech but can be quite complex so this documentation is invaluable to the next occupier. Within 28 days of completion, the person / contractor must send details of the installation to their controlling body who checks the test certificate and other documentation to ensure that it is correct.  If it's all in order, the controlling body then issues a Building Regulation Compliance Certificate directly to the customer and a copy is also sent to building control for record purposes.

Although we are not sure how much each controlling body charge for this service, at the moment the NICEIC charges £1.50+VAT per submission.  People who all ready use electrical contractors to carry out works for them should not see any significant increase in the cost for works as the only additional cost to the contractor is a little bit of time on line filing out the submission and the £1.50+VAT.

If you are already using an electrical contractor or intend to use one in the future, check that they have registered under the new scheme before you give them the go ahead.  Being an NICEIC or other approved contractor does not give the contractor automatic authority to self certify domestic installations.  Unless the contractor has registered separately under the Competent Person Self-Certification Scheme they cannot carry out works in domestic premises without notifying building control first.  Below is an example of the new NICEIC Domestic Installer logo.