Government red cards amateur electricians

Spurred on by the numerous make over programmes on television, millions will embark on ambitious DIY projects this year. However Halifax General Insurance is warning people to leave the electrics well alone if they want to stay on the right side of the law - and stay alive!

Hire a professional

In January 2005, Part P of the Buildings Regulations 2000 came in to force. This stipulates that electrical work in the kitchen, bathroom or garden especially, has to be done by a qualified and registered electrician.

In 2003 almost a fifth of Halifax Home Insurance fire-related claims were caused by electrical faults resulting from botched DIY or work done by rogue traders. Now the act stipulates that work done by anyone who does not comply with the new rules will be committing an offence and will face a fine.

New wiring colour codes

To fall in line with European standards new wiring colour codes were also introduced on 1st January 2005. This has changed the familiar coding of red for live and black for neutral so that black indicates live and blue neutral.

Is it legal?

The work that homeowners can carry out themselves is now restricted to repairing power points or putting spurs on to a circuit.

If this work is done in the kitchen, bathroom or outdoors, where water could be nearby, it must still be checked by a local authority building inspector to make certain it is legal. Homeowners who want to carry out wiring themselves will have to submit a plan to their local council and pay for an inspection.

If in doubt, don't

Howard Posner, chief executive officer, Halifax General Insurance says: "Although this change sounds simple it's likely to leave many confused and has the potential to be lethal if homeowners get it wrong.