Your questions about Irish electricians, answered.

Safe Electric is the national register of electrical contractors in Ireland, operated by the Electrotechnical Council of Ireland (RECI) on behalf of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). Any contractor who wants to carry out restricted electrical works must be registered on this list.

Use the search tool on this site. Enter the contractor's name and we check it against the current Safe Electric register in real time. You can also search directly at safeelectric.ie.

Only registered contractors are legally permitted to carry out restricted electrical works in Ireland. Hiring an unregistered electrician means the work cannot be legally certified, may invalidate your home insurance, and could put your household at risk.

RECI stands for the Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland. Contractors listed on the Safe Electric register are RECI-registered and authorised to carry out restricted electrical works.

Every contractor on the Safe Electric register is assigned a unique registration number (for example, A11722). This number identifies them on the register and should appear on any paperwork or completion certificate they issue.

Do not proceed with restricted electrical works. An unregistered contractor cannot legally complete or certify the job. Ask them to show proof of registration or find a registered alternative through this site.

Yes. Registration can be suspended or revoked by RECI for non-compliance, failed inspections, or other breaches. Always verify at the time of hiring, not just once at the start of a project.

No, these terms refer to the same thing. The Safe Electric scheme is administered by RECI. A contractor who is Safe Electric registered is a RECI-registered electrical contractor.

A completion certificate (also called a Declaration of Conformance) is the legally required document that a registered electrician must issue after completing restricted electrical work. It confirms the work complies with the National Rules for Electrical Installations (ET 101).

Yes, for any restricted electrical work. You will need the certificate if you ever sell or remortgage the property, make an insurance claim, or need to demonstrate the work was done legally. Keep all certificates with your property documents.

Only a RECI-registered electrical contractor can issue a valid completion certificate in Ireland. An unregistered contractor cannot issue one, regardless of the quality of the work done.

A Declaration of Conformance is another name for the electrical completion certificate. It declares that the work conforms to the relevant Irish standard (ET 101). Registered contractors submit these to Safe Electric after each job.

Contact the contractor who did the work first. If they are still registered, they may be able to provide a copy. You can also contact Safe Electric directly at safeelectric.ie with the address and approximate date of the work.

Not all electrical work is classified as restricted work. Replacing a like-for-like socket or light fitting does not require a cert. However, any work on the fuseboard, new circuits, rewiring, or EV charger installation does require a cert from a registered contractor.

A fuseboard (consumer unit) upgrade typically costs between €600 and €1,200 in Ireland in 2026, depending on the number of circuits, property size, and whether the main earth bond needs upgrading. Always get two or three quotes.

A full rewire of a 3-bedroom semi-detached house typically costs between €5,000 and €9,000. Larger or older properties, or those with complex layouts, can cost more. The cost covers stripping out old wiring, installing new cables, fittings, and a new fuseboard.

A standard home EV charger installation (7kW unit) costs between €800 and €1,500 in 2026 including the charger unit, installation, and cert. SEAI grants are available to reduce this cost for eligible homeowners.

A periodic inspection report (also called an EICR) typically costs between €200 and €400 for a standard house in Ireland. Larger properties or those that have not been tested for many years may take longer and cost more.

Adding a single socket to an existing circuit typically costs between €100 and €200 in Ireland, depending on the location and how accessible the cable run is. A surface-mounted spur is cheaper than a flush-fitted socket requiring chasing.

Quotes vary based on experience, overheads, materials used, and interpretation of the scope of work. Always get at least two quotes from registered contractors. Be wary of quotes significantly below the typical range as they may exclude necessary elements.

Yes. SEAI offers grants for home energy upgrades that include electrical works, such as heat pump installations (which require an upgraded fuseboard), EV charger installation, and renewable energy connections. Check seai.ie for current grant rates.

Browse the county pages on this site to find RECI-registered electricians in your area. Every profile shows the contractor's registration number, address, and contact details.

Yes. RECI registration is national. A contractor registered in any county can legally work anywhere in Ireland. Some contractors travel for larger jobs. Check their profile for the areas they serve.

There are over 3,300 RECI-registered electrical contractors active on the Safe Electric register across all 26 counties.

Ask for their Safe Electric registration number and verify it on this site or at safeelectric.ie. Ask if they will issue a completion certificate on completion of the work. Get a written quote that specifies exactly what is included. Check whether VAT is included in the quote.

Not necessarily. A low quote may exclude the cost of a completion certificate, may use lower-quality materials, or may not allow time for proper testing. Compare like-for-like quotes and always confirm the cert is included.

Restricted electrical works are defined under SI 732 of 2007. They include any work on fixed wiring, fuse boards, new circuits, earthing, and bonding. This work may only be carried out by a RECI-registered contractor who must issue a completion certificate.

Some minor DIY electrical work is permitted, such as replacing a like-for-like socket, fitting a new plug, or replacing a light fitting on a standard loop-in circuit. However, any work classified as restricted must be done by a registered contractor. If in doubt, hire a professional.

Yes. Any new electrical installation in an extension, loft conversion, or major renovation is restricted work and requires a completion certificate from a registered contractor. You will need this cert to satisfy building regulations.

Yes. EV charger installation is restricted electrical work and must be done by a RECI-registered contractor who will issue a completion certificate. Without this cert, your SEAI grant claim may be rejected.

No. Replacing a single socket with an identical socket on an existing circuit is generally not classified as restricted work and does not require a completion cert. However, adding a new circuit or a spur does.

Work carried out without a cert is technically unauthorised. It may invalidate home insurance for claims related to electrical faults, cause complications when selling or remortgaging the property, and leave you liable if the work causes damage or injury.

Many home insurance policies require electrical work to be carried out by a registered contractor and certified accordingly. If an electrical fault or fire is traced to uncertified work, your insurer may refuse a claim. Check your policy wording.

Liability depends on the circumstances, but if you knowingly hired an unregistered contractor to carry out restricted works, you may bear some or all of the liability for resulting damage. Using a registered contractor protects you legally.

Yes. You can report suspected unregistered electrical contractors to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) via safeelectric.ie. You can also contact your local authority building control office.

Yes. Landlords are required to maintain electrical installations in safe working order. Periodic inspection reports are strongly recommended and may be required by your insurer or local authority. See our landlord guide for full details.