It is very important to use a Qualified and Registered Electrician for several reasons.
Firstly, it is illegal to use unregistered electrical contractors, and they operate without being legally registered. Using an unregistered electrician is not only illegal, but it can also invalidate insurance cover, and in the event of an electrical fire, the insurer can refuse to pay any claims if the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the property was issued fraudulently by a pirate contractor and/or is not valid and up-to-date to include all alterations that may have been done to the electrical installation.
If a claim has been rejected by the insurer, a civil claim against the pirate contractor would be futile.
Secondly, using a registered and qualified electrician ensures that electrical installation work is performed by accredited persons, meets minimum safety standards, and complies with relevant legislation and regulations.
Electrical contractors in South Africa are required by law to register with the Department of Labour (DOL).
Many residential property and commercial building owners insist on only using electricians with a DOL number.
They understand that electricians are only legally recognized as qualified contractors when they have their Wireman’s License and a DOL Registration Certificate.
Thirdly, a registered and qualified electrician has the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to conduct electrical inspections, repairs, and installations safely and effectively.
They can quickly identify the source of the problem with your electrical system and help to solve any issues without complications.
They are experts in maximizing electricity use in your home, which can lead to a noticeable improvement in your home’s energy efficiency.
Lastly, using a registered and qualified electrician ensures that the electrical installation work is up to the regulations required by the South African National Standards.
The CoC verifies that all the electrical installations, such as plugs, lights, DB board, geyser, and wiring comply with the legislated requirements as detailed in the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
A CoC is a formal certification – issued by a registered person – that states a company has met a series of conditions.
Every successful business has to ensure complete compliance with all health and safety electrical regulations to run a successful business.
How can property owners verify the registration and qualifications of an electrician?
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