What counts as notifiable work?
According to Approved Document P, notifiable electrical work in a home includes:
- Installing a new circuit
- Replacing a consumer unit (fuse board)
- Adding to or altering a circuit in a special location, such as a room containing a bath or shower (within the defined zones)
Smaller jobs, like replacing a like-for-like socket, switch or light fitting, are not usually notifiable. They must still be done safely and meet BS 7671.
How notifiable work is signed off
- Registered installer: an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (such as NAPIT) can self-certify the work and notify building control for you.
- Building control: if the person doing the work isn't registered, you need to apply for building regulations approval before the work starts.
What you should receive
- An electrical installation certificate (or minor works certificate for smaller jobs)
- For notifiable work by a registered installer, a building regulations compliance certificate, issued through their scheme
Keep these safe: buyers' solicitors often ask for them when you sell. Steve Wright is NAPIT registered, so his notifiable work is certified through NAPIT. You can check any electrician on NAPIT's member search or Electrical Safety First's finder.
Safety first
Unregistered or uncertified notifiable work can cause problems with safety, insurance and selling your home.
When to call an electrician
- Planning a new circuit, consumer unit change or bathroom electrics
- You've had work done and didn't get a certificate
- You're unsure whether a job is notifiable
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK – Approved Document P (electrical safety in dwellings)
- GOV.UK – Building regulations approval
- IET – BS 7671 Wiring Regulations
- NAPIT – registered installer search
- Electrical Safety First – Find a registered electrician
General guidance only, based on the sources above. Last reviewed October 2026. It isn't a substitute for an inspection by a qualified electrician.