Part P — What DIYers Can & Can't Do

Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical installation work in dwellings in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure electrical work is safe and meets BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations).

The Key Distinction

Not all electrical work is notifiable. The rules were simplified in 2013 into two categories:

| Work | Notifiable? | |------|-------------| | New circuits | Yes | | Consumer unit replacement | Yes | | Work in kitchens, bathrooms, outdoors | Yes | | Adding sockets/lights to existing circuits (standard rooms) | No | | Replacing like-for-like (sockets, switches, fittings) | No |

Notifiable Work

For notifiable work, you have two options:

  1. Hire a registered electrician — they self-certify the work and issue a Minor Works Certificate.
  2. Do it yourself and notify the local authority — they inspect it (and charge a fee).

Most DIYers choose a registered electrician for notifiable work.

Special Locations

KitchenBathroomOutdoorsGarageAll work in these areas is notifiable

Non-Notifiable Work You Can Do

As a competent DIYer in standard rooms (living room, bedroom, hallway):

  • Add a socket to an existing ring final or radial circuit
  • Add a light fitting or switch to an existing lighting circuit
  • Install extra cabling (e.g. for a spur)

You must still follow BS 7671 — even non-notifiable work must be safe.

Record Keeping

Even for non-notifiable work, keep a record of what you did, when, and where. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Works Certificate is best practice and will be needed if you sell the house.