Do not use
Based on my annoying experience, I would not touch Ali, owner of AT Electric, with a barge pole. In my view many of the 5-star reviews on Google are likely fake, or reviews by people who have very little knowledge of what good quality electric work is and / or required very simple DIY type of work done. Take note of the negative ones, and you will get a good idea of what to expect. Unfortunately, I agreed to pay premium price, thinking I was going to get quality work by someone who was both experienced and competent (based on Google reviews). Very very bad mistake.
He is a ‘sweet talker’, and annoyingly, his best talent rather than technical electrical capability. He is very good at finding excuses of why he cannot do / fix what he was tasked to complete to NICEIC standards.
Ali is very fast at providing both a quote and starting work. Although registered with NICEIC, he does not follow regulations / guidance of NICEIC. In fact, he is happy to knowingly breach their regulations. Having installed a new Consumer Unit (Fuse Board) he issued a NICEIC Electrical Certificate, with 5 missing circuits. Shockingly, left me with two light circuits that kept tripping. Leaving the family, with two babies, unable to use the kitchen lights in the evening. He did come back twice to try and rectify, but due to his lack of capability / technical skills blamed it on historical wiring. Common theme when you read the negative reviews. Interestingly, with my old Fuse Board, the circuits had never tripped. He then informed that he would charge £120 pus VAT / hr to investigate further on what was causing the two fuses to trip. Basically an ‘open cheque book’. I decided that I will need to use another much more capable electrician to help rectify the issues, as Ali was incompetent and/or lazy and/or making excuses to rip me off.
Unsurprisingly, the general builder, with electrical experience who I asked to check why the fuses kept tripping knew within 5 minutes what the issue was, and how to resolve very quickly.
I did complain to the NICEIC body (they certify electricians to be able to issue Electrical Certificates), who said they will investigate internally but will not inform me the outcome of the investigation, and I would have to pay to resolve the issues. A prominent Govt. recognised body in the UK, but useless, and appears not to work for the consumer but rather to making profits, by certifying as many electricians as they can, without effective oversight of their quality of work. I guess what you get when Government privatised such bodies. Based on my experience, the NICEIC electrical certificate is legal requirement when changing the Consumer Unit, but a certified electrician can put totally wrong information, and it does not seem to matter to NICEIC, on the impact to the consumer in terms health and safety, and shoddy workmanship.
I have now filed a County Court case for the reasons outlined above.
You have been warned, don’t use Ali at AT Electric.