INAEC is a non-commercial, non-profit entity with just one purpose: to provide a common logo for the increasingly disgruntled UK electrical contractors who don't wish to be aligned with any privately run for-profit Competent Persons Scheme. Those who cannot break away from paying the likes of NICEIC and NAPIT because of the impact it would have on their business, may display an alternative INAEC 'associate' logo to show their dissatisfaction with the CPS model.
Any individual or business using the INAEC logo does so simply to show their independence or as a protest. It does not provide...
- A guarantee of workmanship or customer service
- Proof of qualifications
- Proof of competence
- Proof of insurance
- Dispute resolution
While it may be argued that an open logo which offers no cross-checking of who is using it is open to abuse, rogue traders are already abusing the legitimate logos with little consequence it seems, and they're more likely to continue doing so as such are already widely recognised and hold more weight.
If you're looking to employ an electrical contractor, especially for domestic work, accept no accreditation or claim at face value. There are a few basic rules you can follow to play it safe...
- If your contractor is displaying any logo, check it against the advice given on this page to look up that individual or business.
- Look for additional protection provided by the likes of Which? Trusted Trader and Trustmark who can offer third-party dispute resolution should things go awry.
- Hand over no payments up-front, especially cash, unless there is a written agreement as to the sum, its intended purpose, and an agreed schedule for work. If you have made an upfront payment, accept no requests for further payment citing excuses or unforeseen circumstances without evidence because you're probably throwing good money after bad.
- Make payments by credit card where possible as the Consumer Credit Act covers these. Card payments are easily accepted by even the smallest electrical contractors today; beware of anyone who insists on only dealing in cash, cheques, or BACS.
- Avoid middleman job aggregation entities (Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Trust-a-Trader, etc.,) and social media sites such as Facebook. While not everyone on these platforms is a rogue trader, rogue traders find it easy to set up and appear both established and legitimate on these platforms.
- Seek references and reviews from people you know, preferably where you can see the quality of any previous work undertaken.
- Check your appointed contractor is running a legitimate business by looking at their web presence, history, social media accounts, reviews, and for limited companies, their listing on Companies House. Most legitimate sparks who have been in the game for a while ought to have some kind of digital footprint you can follow.
- Don't be afraid to seek bona fides such as proof of insurance, qualifications, and confirmation of trade memberships. There's no good reason why a contractor wouldn't show information on request if it clinches the deal.
- Price isn't everything - there may be more than one way to accomplish the work, and the cheapest quote may involve corners being cut. Go with the person that gives you the greatest confidence for the job getting done as you want it done.
If someone flashing the INAEC logo has performed shonky work, well that's unfortunate, but the same thing happens every day with NICEIC and NAPIT operatives. There's no such thing as an approval trade stamp that ensures "quality is guaranteed" despite what every other logo operator will tell you, and none of them are likely to oversee a bad job made good, nor will they be financially recompensing anybody for anything anytime soon. Dodgy contractors don't get kicked off their books easily, at least, not unless many persistent complaints roll in *and* they figure there's no salvation to be made by punting paid courses or resources at the problem.
And it's not just electrical installation work of course. Many a contractor will offer inspection and testing, so how does that hold up with or without CPS accreditation? What's the like of a letting agent to do if the paperwork lacks a CPS logo?
