Finding a Trusted EV Charger Installer

In England, electrical installation work in and around a home falls under Part P of the Building Regulations, and installing a new circuit is notifiable work that must be certified in one of three ways: self-certified by an installer registered with a competent person scheme, certified by a registered third-party certifier, or approved by a building control body.

Part P covers electrical installations outside the dwelling as well as inside, and Approved Document P says installations should be designed and installed in accordance with BS 7671, the wiring regulations.

The simplest route is an installer registered with a competent person scheme. They can self-certify the work, notify your local authority for you, and give you a certificate you can use as evidence of compliance — which also shows up in solicitors' searches when you sell.

You need an OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) approved installer if you are claiming a government chargepoint grant, because only approved installers can claim the grant on an eligible installation.

Most new build owners can't claim the grant — see who can claim the EV charger grant. If you aren't claiming, what matters is that the work is certified under Part P, as above. Installers apply to OZEV to become authorised and receive a letter confirming their status, so if you are claiming, ask to see it.

Check an electrician's credentials by searching for them on the Electrical Competent Person Register, which GOV.UK points homeowners to when looking for an electrician to work on their home.

Also ask for proof of insurance, and if you are claiming a grant, their OZEV authorisation letter. Any legitimate installer will happily provide these — if they get defensive or vague, walk away.

• "Are you registered with a competent person scheme?" — and check the answer on the Electrical Competent Person Register.
• "How will the work be certified?" — you should receive certification showing the work complies with the Building Regulations.
• "Which charger brands do you supply?" — good installers offer multiple brands and can advise on the best fit for your home and car.
• "Do I qualify for the grant?" — an honest installer will tell you that owners of houses with a driveway don't, and nor do most new build flats. Be wary of anyone who quotes a grant discount without checking.
• "Do you do a site survey first?" — any reputable installer will survey your home before quoting. A quote over the phone without seeing the property is a red flag.
• "What's included in the price?" — charger, installation, cabling, testing, commissioning, and certification should all be included. Watch for "extras" that appear after the survey.
• "How long is the warranty, and what does it cover?" — among the chargers in our comparison, manufacturer warranties run from 3 years (Ohme, Wallbox, Pod, Easee) to 7 years (Andersen, with conditions). Ask whether it starts from purchase or installation, and whether the installer's own work is guaranteed separately.

A good installer: surveys your home first, explains options clearly, provides a written quote with no hidden costs, is straight with you about grant eligibility, installs to a high standard, tests thoroughly, provides full certification, and responds to follow-up questions.

A bad installer: quotes over the phone without seeing the property, pushes only one charger brand (usually whatever gives them the best margin), is vague about how the work will be certified, adds costs after the survey, rushes the installation, and disappears after the job.

• No site survey: A quote without a visit is guesswork. Your installation could end up costing more or, worse, be done incorrectly.
• Pressure to decide immediately: "This price is only valid today" is a classic high-pressure tactic. A good installer gives you time to compare quotes.
• Cash only / no paperwork: Legitimate installers provide invoices and electrical certificates. No paperwork = no comeback if something goes wrong.
• Unwilling to show credentials: competent person scheme registration and insurance should be provided without hesitation.
• Significantly cheaper than everyone else: If one quote is 40% below the others, something is being cut — often testing, certification, or proper cable sizing.

The grant is only for renters and flat owners with private off-street parking, and for households with on-street parking installing a cross-pavement solution — and not where the law already required a chargepoint or charging infrastructure, which rules out most new builds. If you do qualify, you apply online to OZEV before installation. Have ready:

• Evidence that you own, lease or use an eligible vehicle, or have one on order
• Your rental agreement, if you rent
• Proof of your legal rights and permissions for the parking space, such as from the freeholder of a block of flats

Once approved, your installer deducts the grant (up to £500 from 1 April 2026) from your invoice and claims it from OZEV — you only pay the remaining balance.