Hiring an Electrician in Eastleigh: Certifications, Costs, and What to Check
NICEIC, NAPIT, Part P — what the certifications mean, what electrical work costs in Eastleigh, and how to avoid rogue traders.
Electrical work is one area where cutting corners is genuinely dangerous. Here is what you need to know before hiring an electrician in Eastleigh.
Part P and Building Regulations
Under Part P of the Building Regulations, certain types of electrical work in dwellings must either be carried out by a competent person registered with a government-approved scheme, or notified to your local building control authority.
Work that typically requires notification (or a registered electrician) includes:
- New circuits
- Consumer unit (fuse box) replacements
- Work in kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoors
- Work within 3 metres of a bath or shower
Simple like-for-like replacements (a socket, a light switch) in most locations do not require notification, though using a qualified electrician is still sensible.
Approved scheme membership: what the logos mean
NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting): The largest and most widely recognised approval body. NICEIC contractors are assessed regularly. You can verify membership at niceic.com.
NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers): Another government-approved scheme, comparable to NICEIC in terms of vetting standards.
ELECSA: Part of the NICEIC Group; focuses on domestic electrical installation work.
For most domestic jobs, any of these is fine. The key is that they are government-approved — which means the electrical work is self-certified without you needing to involve building control separately.
Typical costs in Eastleigh (2026)
- Hourly rate: £50–£80 per hour
- Consumer unit replacement: £400–£700 including parts and certification
- EV charger installation: £600–£1,200 depending on type and cable run (OZEV grant available)
- Full rewire (3-bed house): £3,000–£6,000
- New circuit installation: £150–£400 depending on length and complexity
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report): £150–£300 for a typical house
Questions to ask
1. Are you registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA?
2. Will the work be certified under Part P?
3. Can you provide a written quote?
4. Do you have public liability insurance?
5. Will you issue a completion certificate on finishing?
Finding electricians locally
NICEIC's find-a-contractor search covers SO50 and surrounding postcodes. Checkatrade and TrustATrader also list electrical contractors with verified reviews in the Eastleigh area.
Information correct as of May 2026. Regulations and grant eligibility may change — always verify before booking.