A loose socket, tripping fuse board or new electric shower might look like a handy little job. But electricity is no place for guesswork, DIY fixes or a cheap cash job from someone who cannot certify their work.
In Ireland, the official registration to look for is Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) with Safe Electric. Restricted Electrical Works encompass most fixed electrical work in a domestic property and can only be carried out and certified by a REC.
What Are the Dangers of Poor Electrical Work?
Electric shock and serious injury
Contact with live electrical parts can cause severe shock, burns and potentially fatal injuries. Damp locations such as bathrooms, kitchens and outdoor areas require particular care.
Electrical fires
Loose connections, damaged cables, overloaded circuits and incorrectly installed equipment can overheat and start a fire. Repeated tripping should be investigated rather than continually reset.
Hidden faults behind walls
Poor wiring may appear to work while dangerous connections remain hidden under floors, inside walls or in the attic. Repairing unsafe work later can mean opening finished surfaces and replacing the installation properly.
No valid Completion Certificate
Safe Electric advises customers to ask for a Completion Certificate for electrical works completed in the home. Only the REC's named Qualified Certifier can certify electrical work on behalf of the contractor.
Electrical safety
Use a Safe Electric Registered Electrical Contractor
Restricted Electrical Works in Irish homes must be carried out and certified by a REC. Verify the contractor and ask about certification before work starts.
What Work Should Be Completed by a REC?
Restricted Electrical Works include major fixed-installation work such as new installations, full or partial rewiring, distribution-board replacement or modification, new circuits and inspection, testing and certification of existing installations.
Projects involving electric showers, extensions, renovations, heat pumps, EV chargers and other equipment can also trigger new-circuit or distribution-board work. Confirm the exact certification requirements with the REC before work begins.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
- Your RCD, trip switch or circuit breaker keeps tripping
- Fuses blow repeatedly
- Lights flicker without an obvious reason
- Sockets or switches show heat damage or discolouration
- Cables are frayed or damaged
- Connections feel loose
- You receive a shock or tingling sensation from equipment
- There are signs of overheating around the distribution board
Safe Electric notes that unexplained RCD tripping can indicate deterioration in wiring or appliance insulation, while repeated MCB tripping may indicate excessive load or a circuit fault.
Does an Older House Need an Electrical Inspection?
Electrical installations deteriorate with age and use. Safe Electric says domestic installations should be inspected and tested periodically by a REC, with its home-safety guidance suggesting about every five years.
An inspection can be especially useful when buying an older home, planning a renovation, adding high-load equipment, dealing with old or mixed wiring, or where there is no record of previous certification.
What to Ask Before Hiring an Electrician
- Safe Electric registration number
- A written quotation and clear scope
- Testing and certification arrangements
- Materials, labour and VAT
- Insurance where relevant
- Expected start and completion date
- The Completion Certificate after the work is finished
Find Electricians with Trade Source IRE
Trade Source IRE helps homeowners, landlords, businesses and developers submit electrical enquiries across Ireland. Whether you need fault finding, sockets, lighting, an electric shower, a fuse-board upgrade, EV charger or complete house rewire, send us the location, job details and preferred timeframe.
Contractors are reviewed before joining the Trade Source IRE network. Customers should still independently confirm Safe Electric registration, insurance, qualifications, certificates and suitability before work begins.
Need an electrician?
Tell us what electrical work you need
Include your county or town, property type, the fault or installation required, whether power is currently working and whether the job is urgent. Never remove covers or approach exposed wiring just to take a photograph.
Electrical Emergency Information
Stay away from fallen or damaged electricity lines and never assume they are dead. ESB Networks says to keep clear and call its 24-hour emergency number on 1800 372 999 for fallen wires, damaged network equipment or other electricity-network emergencies.
Related Cost Guide
For indicative 2026 pricing covering electrician call-outs, hourly rates, sockets, lighting, fuse-board upgrades and rewiring, see our Electrician Costs in Ireland 2026 guide. Prices are budgeting estimates, not fixed national rates.
Do not take chances with electricity. Use a Registered Electrical Contractor, ask for the certificate and get the job done safely.
Every Trade. One Trusted Source.
Official Irish information sources
Important note
This article provides general electrical-safety information. It is not a substitute for inspection, testing or diagnosis by a Registered Electrical Contractor. If there is an immediate danger, keep clear and contact the appropriate emergency service or network operator.