KNOW THE RULES

Which electrical jobs can I do myself? Part P explained

In England, some electrical jobs are DIY-legal; others need Building Regulations sign-off under Part P.

AB-01The short answerIt depends on the job and the room. Like-for-like jobs, such as replacing a socket, switch or light fitting, aren't notifiable and you can do them yourself if you're competent. A new circuit, a new or replacement consumer unit, or adding to a circuit in a room with a bath or shower is 'notifiable'. It legally has to go through Building Control or a registered electrician. All electrical work, notifiable or not, must still be done safely to the wiring regulations.
RULES
KNOW THE RULES

Part P of the Building Regulations makes certain electrical work in dwellings a legal requirement to notify, not optional.

AB-02Check where you are in the UKThis guide covers England, where Part P sits in the Building Regulations. Wales has its own, separate Building Regulations with a similar Part P duty. Scotland and Northern Ireland use different systems entirely, covered later in this guide. Always check which nation's rules apply before assuming England's answer fits your house.
AB-03What makes a job 'notifiable'In England, three kinds of work are notifiable: a new circuit; a new or replacement consumer unit (fuse box); and adding to or altering a circuit in a 'special location', meaning a room with a bath or shower, or a swimming pool or sauna. Kitchens and gardens are NOT special locations in England, so adding a socket to an existing kitchen circuit isn't notifiable there, though a new circuit to the garden or a new cooker circuit is. Replacing sockets, switches and light fittings, and adding sockets or lights to an existing circuit outside a bathroom, aren't notifiable.
RULES
KNOW THE RULES

Notifiable work must be reported to Building Control, or carried out and certified by a registered competent person, before it is legal to leave in place.

AB-04Exceptions that change the answerBathrooms and shower rooms are where most small jobs become notifiable, because water and electricity are a dangerous mix. In Wales, councils also treat electrical work in kitchens and outdoor or garden installations as needing approval, so the answer there can be different. Flats and maisonettes often have extra rules in the lease. Being listed doesn't change Part P itself, but wiring that disturbs historic fabric may need listed building consent. If a previous owner did unofficial work, get it checked before adding to it.
AB-05Part P is Building Regulations, not planning permissionPart P sits entirely within the Building Regulations system. Electrical work on its own almost never needs planning permission. But if the electrical work is part of a bigger project, like an extension or loft conversion, that project may need planning permission as well as Building Regulations approval — they are assessed separately, and clearing one does not clear the other.
AB-06Who to ask and howFor notifiable work, you have two legal routes: notify your local council's Building Control team directly, or use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (such as NICEIC or NAPIT), who can self-certify the work without a separate council notification. Planning Portal and GOV.UK both explain Part P and competent person schemes in plain terms. If you're unsure which category your job falls into, ask Building Control or a registered electrician before you start, not after.
RULES
KNOW THE RULES

Notifiable electrical work must be certified through Building Control or a competent person scheme to be legally compliant.

AB-07Costs and timescalesUsing a competent person scheme electrician is usually the cheaper, quicker route, since the certification fee is built into their price, often roughly £50 to £150 on top of the job. Notifying the council directly instead tends to cost more and take longer, as councils charge their own Building Control fee, commonly in the low hundreds of pounds, and may need to inspect the work in person. Exact fees vary by council, so check with yours before committing to that route.
AB-08What happens if you skip itUncertified notifiable work is a Building Regulations breach, and the council can require you to expose, redo or remove it at your own cost. It also causes real problems when selling, because buyers' solicitors ask for electrical safety certificates. An indemnity insurance policy can sometimes cover the legal risk on a sale, but it doesn't make the work safe or compliant, and it's a last resort, not a fix.
RULES
KNOW THE RULES

Uncertified notifiable electrical work is a breach of the Building Regulations and the council can take enforcement action.

AB-09If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern IrelandIn Wales, Part P works in a similar way, but Welsh councils still count work in kitchens and outdoors as needing approval, so check with your council. In Scotland, there is no Part P. Electrical work to a one- or two-storey house usually doesn't need a building warrant, but it must meet Scotland's building standards. An electrician in a certification scheme such as SELECT or NICEIC can certify it. Northern Ireland has its own building regulations, so check nidirect.
RULES
KNOW THE RULES

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal building control systems, separate from England and Wales's Part P.

Related guides

Test your RCDsReplace a bathroom pull-cordReset a tripped circuit breakerReplace the fuse in a fused spurLabel the circuits in your consumer unitElectrical safety basics before you start

Back to all guides

Guides are general guidance, not professional advice. You follow them at your own risk.

© 2026 HomeGraft