How to find a good electrician?

[Rollerball]

Can anyone recommend a good electrician in North Somerset please?

My mother has an electric wall mounted radiator (must be about 30 years old) which spews out smoke whenever it's switched on (from the area of the temperature control dial). She would like an electrician to take a look at it, very likely with a view to having it replaced with something similar.

Unfortunately her usual electrician is too busy to help.

Even though the Yellow Pages are full of electricians, she would rather go on a recommendation.

Thanks.

 

[comms]

http://niceic.com/householder/find-an-electrician
http://www.napit.org.uk/fastSearch.asp

There are other scheme operators

 

[Taylortwocities]

Personal recommendation is the best way.
Membership of a registration scheme is not a pure recommendation but at least the schemes have a guarantee plan in place.

NAPIT's member search page is at http://www.napit.org.uk/fastSearch.asp

 

[Rollerball]

Appreciated, thanks.

 

[holmslaw]

..

 

[sparkybird]

you could also try which local - you have to pay to join (or they often run a free month's trial) - which members (who are pretty discerning I find!) recommend local trades

BTW I don't work for which, but I am on the London site

 

[TheGayOwl]

Holmslaw and Sparkybird suggest the best course of action. Though they may point you back in the direction of an accreditted scheme member! A 6 yr guarantee guarantees nothing if they ignore you. Speak to neighbours, surely a recommendation will appear. Scheme membership generally guarantees that the contractor has an extra outgoing. It does not guarantee expertise nor honesty.

Not trying to be controversial, this is my experience.

Regards.

 

[ebee]

Your local "care & repair UK" might help or a Safe trader type scheme run by trading standards in various areas.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Unfortunately her usual electrician is too busy to help.

.

As has been suggested below, she needs a new heater.

This is within the scope of a general handyman and doesn't need a registered, certified and uniformed electrician of 30 years experience.

This sort of job is, frankly, a PITA for a busy electrician.