Loft Conversion Electrics in London: What Needs Certifying

A loft conversion is one of the most popular ways to add space to a London home, and the electrics are a big part of it: new lighting, sockets, heating, often an en suite, and sometimes a new circuit or two at the consumer unit. This guide explains what the electrical work involves, what needs certifying, and what an EICR often finds in older conversions.

What the electrical work usually covers

• New lighting circuits, often with downlights in the sloping ceiling.
• New socket circuits, or extensions of existing ones.
• Smoke or heat alarms linked to the rest of the house, as building regulations expect for loft conversions.
• Bathroom or shower room electrics, including an extractor fan.
• Electric heating or underfloor heating in some rooms.

Notification and certificates

New circuits and work in bathrooms must be notified to building control, either by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme or through the council. When the work is done you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for new circuits, or a Minor Works certificate for smaller additions. Keep these with the building regulations sign-off, as buyers and their solicitors will ask for them. Our guide to EICR, EIC and Minor Works certificates explains the difference.

Check the consumer unit first

A loft conversion adds load. Before the work starts, it is worth checking that the consumer unit has space, the right RCD protection and enough capacity. Older boards often need replacing, and it is cheaper to do this at the start than halfway through. Our guide to fuseboard replacement in London covers the cost.

Fire safety in the loft

Downlights cut holes in the ceiling, so they should be fire rated where they sit below the loft room or between floors. Our guide to fire rated downlights explains what to ask for.

What an EICR often finds in older conversions

• Loft rooms wired from the upstairs lighting or socket circuit with no extra protection.
• Junction boxes buried under insulation and floorboards.
• Cables run through insulation without allowing for heat.
• No certificates on file for the loft electrics at all.

Book a check or a quote

Energy North Ltd covers North, East and West London with City & Guilds certified electricians, and can usually attend within 48 hours. See our EICR service to have an existing conversion tested.