In Ireland, electrical work is regulated for a reason: a bad job can burn your house down or invalidate your insurance. The good news is that checking someone out is quick — and free. There are exactly four things worth confirming before you let anyone near your fuseboard.
1. They're on the Safe Electric register
Safe Electric is the body that oversees registered electrical contractors in the Republic. A registered contractor has been assessed, agrees to be inspected, and can issue valid certificates. Ask for their registration number and search it — if they can't give you one, that tells you something on its own.
2. Their registration is in date
Being on the register once isn't enough. Registrations lapse, and a lapsed contractor can't issue valid certificates while they're out of date. It's common enough — people forget to renew — but it matters for your paperwork, so confirm they're current right now.
3. They carry public liability insurance
Registered contractors hold public liability cover. If something goes wrong — a fire, a flood, damage to a neighbour — that cover is what stands between you and a very large bill. Confirm it's in place and current.
4. They can issue a completion certificate
For certain works, a certificate is the legal proof the job was done to standard. You'll want it for your records, for selling the house, and for your insurance. Only an in-date registered contractor can issue one — so insist on it being included before the work starts, not as an afterthought.
Run all four and you'll know in minutes whether you're dealing with a professional or taking a gamble. The checker does the first three for you in one search.