Building Regs Part P (Part P)
Building Regulations requirement for domestic electrical work.. Last reviewed April 2026 by the TradeMatch editorial team.
Building Regs Part P (Part P) is a UK accreditation body covering electrician, ev charger. Building Regulations requirement for domestic electrical work. For UK homeowners, an Part P-registered tradesperson signals that the firm has been independently vetted for technical competence, insurance cover and adherence to a written code of conduct. Verification is free at the body's public register: www.gov.uk/government/publications/part-p-of-the-building-regulations.
Visit Official Register ↗
What does Part P cover?
Part P accreditation typically covers technical competence, ongoing CPD requirements, insurance cover (typically £2M+ public liability) and a published code of conduct. Each Part P member is required to renew or be reassessed periodically — the exact cadence depends on the membership tier. The body operates a complaints route for homeowners: if a registered member fails to honour their commitments, Part P can investigate, mediate, and in serious cases revoke membership.
Verifying a Part P-registered tradesperson
- Part P membership number — verify on the public register before signing any quote
- Current insurance certificate (£2M+ public liability typical) — Part P requires this for active members
- Written quote with payment milestones — Part P members commit to written contracts, not verbal agreements
Part P applies to these trades
100%of TradeMatch payments held in escrow
Every job, every payment, every time. Funds held in a segregated client account until you sign off the work.
- Held in escrowFrom the moment the deposit clears until the job is signed off.
- Released on sign-offFunds release within 24 hours of you confirming the work is done to spec.
- Disputed = frozenIf something is wrong, the payment freezes pending review by our resolution team.
TradeMatch escrow operates through FCA-regulated payment providers. Customer funds are segregated from operating accounts and protected under UK consumer law.
Part P FAQ
What does Part P accreditation actually require?
Technical competence (typically a recognised qualification), evidence of trading history, current insurance, adherence to Part P's published code of conduct and a documented complaints procedure. Some tiers require independent audit; all require periodic reassessment.
How do I check if a tradesperson is Part P-registered?
Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/part-p-of-the-building-regulations and use the public register search. Always check before signing a contract — registrations occasionally lapse, and the public register is the authoritative source.
Is Part P membership legally required?
For most trades, no — UK trade accreditation is voluntary. The big exceptions are Gas Safe (legally required for gas work) and some renewable-energy schemes (MCS required for grant claims). For other trades, Part P membership is a strong quality signal but not a legal mandate.
What if I have a problem with an Part P member?
Raise it directly with the trader first, in writing. If unresolved, escalate to Part P via their complaints procedure. Part P can investigate, mediate and ultimately remove members who fail to meet the code. On TradeMatch, escrow-protected payments mean disputes are mediated before any release of funds — a faster route in practice.
Why Part P verification matters before any deposit
Lapsed accreditations are the most common silent failure on UK trade hires — registrations expire annually and not every trader updates their listing. Always verify the Part P number on the public register on the day you sign, not at first meeting. On TradeMatch, every Part P-registered tradesperson is independently re-checked before they can quote on your job, and the registration link is shown on their profile so you can confirm yourself.
Get a Part P-Verified Quote
Up to 5 quotes from UK tradespeople — every Part P-relevant member independently verified by TradeMatch. Escrow-protected payments. Reviews tied to completed jobs only.
Post a Job Free