Electrical quotes and certificates: what to keep

Turn the job into a written agreement

Give each contractor the same brief. Ask whether the price is a quotation or an estimate and what may change it. Make the scope specific enough to compare materials, quantities, access and finishing.

• Include callout and diagnostic charges, VAT, waste, testing and any notification fees.
• Agree start and completion expectations, payment stages, warranty, complaints contact and exclusions.
• Ask how cancellation applies to your booking and what happens if you request an urgent start. Record permission and a price before variations proceed.

Distinguish the documents

An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) records relevant completed installation work. A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate may suit certain alterations without a new circuit. An EICR reports the condition of an existing installation within its scope. Building Regulations compliance documentation addresses a separate notification and compliance process for applicable work.

• Ask before booking which documents are included and when they will arrive.
• A receipt, a scheme logo or a PAT label is not a substitute for the appropriate installation documents.
• A report on one part of a property does not certify every circuit, appliance or specialist system.

Check and retain the handover

Check the address, work description and dates, and ask for any missing schedules or explanations. Keep the quote, variations, invoice, certificates, reports, warranties and relevant network correspondence together. If something is missing, ask the contractor in writing, then use the appropriate complaints process. Do not assume a later EICR retrospectively supplies missing Building Regulations approval.

A quick guide to arranging electrical work

30 seconds · silent with on-screen captions.

Get safe first. Describe the work, check competence for that job, confirm the business and person attending, agree written costs, and ask about testing and handover documents.