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Scottish building standards

Notifiable electrical work and building warrants in Scotland

Some domestic electrical work must be dealt with through the Scottish Building Standards system. The correct route depends on the property, the proposed work and whether it forms part of a project requiring a building warrant.

Wilson Electrics guidance

Do you require a building warrant for your electrical work?

Since May 2005, electrical work in Scottish homes has been covered by building regulations intended to improve safety and the quality of building work. Electrical installations must also comply with the applicable requirements of BS 7671.

Work described as notifiable electrical work is work that must be brought into the relevant Building Standards process rather than treated as an ordinary replacement or repair. Where electrical work is carried out under a building warrant, it must either follow an accepted approved-certifier route or be supported and verified in the way required by the local authority.

Wilson Electrics does not include self-certification of work through an Approved Certifier of Construction scheme. When notifiable or warrant-related work is carried out, the customer remains responsible for confirming the route with the local authority and arranging any council requirements.

What work may be notifiable or require a warrant?

The position depends on the whole project and the type of building. It commonly needs checked where electrical work is associated with:

  • A new-build home, extension or conversion.
  • A flat, maisonette or a house exceeding two storeys.
  • New electrical installations or significant alterations connected with warrantable building work.
  • Work affecting fire separation, escape arrangements, structure or another regulated part of the building.
  • Any project where the local authority has asked for electrical information, inspection or certification.

Routine like-for-like replacement of fittings will not normally require a warrant on its own, but the work must still be safe and comply with the applicable standards. The local authority should be consulted whenever the position is uncertain.

View the original Domestic Electrical Work Requiring a Warrant PDF →A one-page customer guide retained from the original Wilson Electrics website.

Building warrants: your responsibility and your control

The homeowner or person commissioning the work is responsible for applying for a building warrant when one is required. This allows the project to follow one of the routes accepted in Scotland:

  1. Use an Approved Certifier of Construction for the relevant certification route.
  2. Use a suitably qualified independent electrician and arrange the evidence, inspection and approval required by the local authority.

Wilson Electrics supports the second route where it is accepted for the project. Appropriate BS 7671 electrical certification can be provided for the work carried out, while Building Standards remains responsible for its own inspection and acceptance process.

SELECT, NICEIC and NAPIT membership

In Scotland, electricians are not universally required by law to be members of SELECT, NICEIC or NAPIT to carry out safe and compliant electrical work. Scheme or trade-body membership is different from an electrician’s qualifications, competence and responsibility to comply with BS 7671.

A customer may choose a qualified independent electrician and use the local-authority verification route where the council accepts it. This can provide an additional independent check rather than relying on the electrician to certify through a scheme.

Why Wilson Electrics favours independent verification

  • Accountability: the work is expected to stand up to independent scrutiny.
  • Transparency: the required process is discussed with the customer and council.
  • Choice: customers can judge qualifications, experience, reputation and workmanship rather than relying only on a scheme badge.
  • Consistent technical standards: BS 7671 applies to the electrical work regardless of trade-body membership.

This does not prevent a council, contract, insurer or other party from setting its own evidence requirements. Those requirements should be confirmed before work starts.

Read the full Wilson Electrics explanation about SELECT, NICEIC and NAPIT membership →

Before electrical work begins

  1. Contact the local authority Building Standards service.
  2. Explain the whole building project, not only the electrical element.
  3. Ask whether the electrical work is notifiable or covered by a warrant.
  4. Confirm whether an Approved Certifier is required or whether council verification is accepted.
  5. Obtain the council’s evidence requirements in writing where possible.
Always consult the local authority for project-specific advice. Do not start warrantable work until the necessary permission has been granted.

Official information: Getting a building warrant in Scotland and Scottish Government Building Standards.