Why it is important to use competent professionals for repairs, maintenance and installation works on your home?

When it comes to choosing a tradesperson, it is important to always use a competent professional to carry out work in your home. When choosing a tradesperson, it's crucial to use competent professionals, who are reliable and adequately insured, in addition they should provide a detailed written quote and can provide references as required. A competent person is a person that ‘possesses sufficient training, experience and knowledge appropriate to the nature of the work to be undertaken’. In addition, it is a legal requirement for some tradespersons to be register professionals, such as electricians and gas installers working on domestic houses.
Below we look at why it is so important to hire registered professionals for work on your home.

Insurance

You should always check that a tradesperson has adequate insurance before they start work, especially if they are working on your property. Public liability insurance protects against claims for injury to a third party or damage to their property that may occur as a result of the tradesperson's work. You should also ask if they have adequate employers' liability insurance if they have employees or subcontractors helping them, as this covers injuries sustained by those working for them.

Electrical Work

You should always use a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) to carry out electrical work in your home and ask for a Completion Certificate after the work is complete.

REC contractors are competent, insured and subject to regular inspection. Registered Electrical Contractors (RECs) must adhere to the Safe Electric Rules of Registration with regard to matters such as training, competence, inspection & audit, test equipment, insurance and completion certificates. It is through this registration system that Safe Electric, can monitor and validate that the electrical works completed meet the required safety standards. Any REC that appears on the Safe Electric register has appropriate insurance cover in place. You can find a registered electrical contractor on the Safe Electric Website.

Gas Works

When having gas work carried out in your home always use a Registered Gas Installer (RGI). A Registered Gas Installer is an installer or service engineer who has completed the required gas installation safety training, who has the necessary insurance to carry out gas installations to the legal standard and who is registered with Safe Energy Ireland who operate the Register of Gas Installers scheme on behalf of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). A Registered Gas Installer is fully insured and trained in gas safety and will provide you with a conformance certificate once the work is carried out, giving you peace of mind that your installation is safe. You can find a Registered Gas Installer on the RGI website. .

SEAI Grant Eligibility

Some SEAI services and grants require you to choose a registered professional. Lists of energy professionals are available on the SEAI website.

Find a tradesperson near you

Our "Find a tradesperson" helpline is available 24 hours, 365 days a year through our service provider MAWDY Services. We will connect you MAWDY’s approved network of tradespersons including plumbers, electricians, glaziers, locksmiths or roofers to help you in an emergency.

Find a tradesperson

Phone: 0818 478 478

Lines are open 24 hours

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