NECA Group

Licensed contractors

The risks of electricity to both people and property are well-known, so all State and Territory Governments have legislation in place which regulates who can install, maintain and repair electrical installations for you.

A contractor that you engage to do work on your property must have a contractor license to contract or subcontract to do any electrical wiring work for you. This licence is issued by the Department of Fair Trading in NSW.

These rules are for the protection of you the consumer - they give you recourse if something goes wrong, and also help to ensure that the electrical contractor or any other professional trade you use is qualified and able to carry out a quality job.

Home owners with illegal wiring are warned that you may find that you are not covered by your home building insurance policy in the event of a fire when it can be traced back to the illegal wiring as the cause of the fire.

Don’t take a risk with electricity, only use reputable licensed electrical contractors to do work for you. 

 

Top Tips

 

  • Always get quotes in writing preferably three

  • If it is emergency work you should still get a written estimate before proceeding so there are no surprises when the work is completed

  • If estimated value of the work or the contract becomes greater than $12,000 then the Electrical Contractor must provide Home Warranty Insurance

  • Check that the contractor you are using is licensed correctly under the Home Building Licence through the Department of Fair Trading Online Licence Check. To check a license ensure that you select Home Building in Point 1, the contractors licence number in point 2 and then click on the I agree to check your results.

  • Use a NECA member as they are Licensed, Skilled and Professional

  • All electrical work done on your premises requires the Electrical Contractor to issue you with a Certificate of Compliance – Electrical Work commonly known in the trade as a CCEW form. This must be issued within 14 days of the handover of the completed work

 

Fair Trading have launched a new video giving voice to NSW tradespeople on why they are "Licensed and Loving it". Watch it now!