Before appointing a commercial electrical contractor in Norfolk, check their accreditation status, insurance cover, experience with your type of premises and the certification they’ll issue for the finished work. Our commercial and industrial electrical services team works across offices, shops, factories, warehouses, schools and other public buildings throughout Norfolk and North Suffolk.
What Accreditations Should a Commercial Electrical Contractor Have?
Look for NICEIC Approved Contractor status, or an equivalent competent person scheme, as a starting point. This shows the contractor has been independently assessed for technical competence and safe working practices. Accreditation isn’t a substitute for a conversation about your specific job, but a contractor who can’t provide a registration number, or who hesitates when asked, is worth questioning further.
What Insurance Should a Commercial Electrical Contractor Carry?
Ask for evidence of public liability insurance, and employer’s liability insurance if the contractor has staff working on site. These policies protect you if something goes wrong during the work, whether that’s damage to your premises or injury to someone on site. Reputable commercial contractors will have both in place and should be able to produce a certificate on request.
Does the Contractor Have Experience With Your Type of Building?
Commercial electrical work varies enormously between building types. A contractor who’s excellent at office rewiring may not be the right fit for a factory floor with three-phase machinery, or a retail unit with a tight fit-out deadline. Ask specifically about their experience with premises similar to yours, whether that’s an office, shop, warehouse, school or another public building.
What Should You Ask About BS 7671 and Certification?
All UK electrical installations must meet BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations. A competent commercial contractor should be able to confirm which edition they’re currently working to, and explain which certificate applies to your job:
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC): issued for new installations or major alterations
- Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC): issued for smaller alterations that don’t involve a new circuit
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): issued after a periodic inspection and test of an existing installation
If a contractor can’t clearly explain which certificate you’ll receive and why, that’s a sign to look elsewhere.
What Documentation Should You See Before Work Starts?
For larger commercial jobs, particularly on live or occupied sites, it’s reasonable to expect a written quotation, a risk assessment and a method statement (often referred to together as RAMS) before work begins. These documents set out how the contractor will carry out the job safely and with minimum disruption to your business.
How Does the HSE’s Guidance on Choosing Contractors Apply to Your Business?
As the client, you also carry a responsibility to satisfy yourself that a contractor can do the job safely. The HSE’s guidance on using contractors advises making enquiries about a contractor’s competence, experience and knowledge before work begins, with the depth of those checks scaled to the complexity and risk of the job. Keeping a simple record of the checks you’ve made, such as accreditation numbers and insurance certificates, is good practice if you’re ever asked to demonstrate due diligence.
Ready to Discuss Your Commercial Electrical Project?
Excel Electrical Services is a NICEIC approved contractor with over 20 years of experience delivering commercial and industrial electrical work across Norfolk and North Suffolk, for offices, shops, factories, warehouses, schools and churches. You can read more about our background on our About Us page.
Looking for a commercial electrical contractor in Norfolk? Speak to our NICEIC-approved team about your project. Contact Excel Electrical today for a quote.
