ELECTRAGUARD.UK

When planning a new kitchen, many homeowners are told that all electrical work must be notified to Building Control. This is a very common misconception.

In reality, most electrical work in a kitchen is not notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations in England — provided it is carried out correctly by a competent electrician.

What Is Part P?
Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in dwellings. Its purpose is to ensure that electrical installations are designed and installed safely to prevent fire, electric shock, and injury.
While some types of work must be notified to Building Control, not all domestic electrical work falls into this category.

Are Kitchens a “Special Location”?
Kitchens are often wrongly grouped with bathrooms. However, under the current regulations in England:
-Bathrooms and shower rooms are special locations
-Kitchens are not classed as full special locations
This means that routine electrical work in kitchens is usually non-notifiable.

Electrical Work in a Kitchen That Is Not Notifiable
The following kitchen electrical work can normally be carried out without notifying Building Control:
-Installing or moving socket outlets
-Adding sockets above worktops
-Installing under-cabinet or ceiling lighting
-Replacing cooker control switches
-Like-for-like replacement of accessories
-Alterations to existing circuits (as long as no new circuit is added)
Although this work is not notifiable, it must still comply with Part P and BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations), and must be properly tested and certified.

Electrical Work in a Kitchen That Is Notifiable
Some electrical work does require notification, including:
-Installing a new circuit (for example, a new cooker circuit or additional radial circuit)
-Replacing or upgrading a consumer unit
-Electrical work carried out as part of other notifiable works (such as extensions)
This notification can be handled by:
-A registered Part P electrician (self-certification), or
-The homeowner via Local Authority Building Control before work starts

Why There’s So Much Confusion
Before 2013, kitchens were classed as special locations and most electrical work was notifiable. The regulations were later relaxed in England, but outdated advice is still widely repeated online and by non-specialists.

What Always Applies — Not Optional
Whether work is notifiable or not:
-It must comply with Part P
-It must meet BS 7671 requirements
-Appropriate certification must be issued
Using a qualified electrician ensures the work is safe, legal, and properly documented.

Our Advice
If your kitchen project involves:
-Moving or adding sockets
-New lighting
-General rewiring
You will usually not need Building Control notification.

If your project includes:
-A new circuit
-A consumer unit replacement
Then notification is required — and we can take care of that for you.
📞 Get in touch to discuss your kitchen electrical work and receive clear, honest advice from a qualified electrician.

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-Trusted and recommended
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Call today for a free, no-obligation estimate and see why so many homeowners and businesses rate us as their go-to electrician.

31/12/2025

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