Your options are:
Ignore It
First let me make it clear that I do not recommend this route as it is illegal. However, for the sake of completeness, I will consider why someone might be tempted to ignore the requirements of the building regulations, and the likely consequences.
The obvious motivation is to save money. It's also attractive because you can do things in your own way and to your own timetable, without anyone interfering. Perhaps less obviously, many people may go down this route due to ignorance. "Part P" has not been publicised and so it is not surprising that few people have heard of it.
What about the likely consequences? If you are doing the home automation at the same time as some major building work, or even a new build (these are the best opportunities to install cabling), then the Building Inspector will check that "Part P" is being complied with, so ignoring it is simply not an option. Otherwise, your chances of ending up in court or probably very low. Most, if not all, of the convictions have involved seriously sub standard work. Failing to notify, but doing the work safely and to BS7671, seems unlikely to result in a prosecution.
Another potential pitfall comes when the house is sold. At the moment it is common practice for a buyers solicitor to ask if any electrical work has been done since "Part P" came into effect and if it certification is available. It seems though, that the answers to this are merely passed on to the buyer, who probably doesn't even know about "Part P". However, who is to say how the situation will have changed in 20 years time.
Finally there is safety. Many DIYers think you know how to wire a house safely, but very few do. Getting a circuit to work is easy. Making sure it is safe is not. You need to understand cable de-rating, prospective fault current, earth fault loop impedance, disconnection times, different earthing systems and a whole lot more. If it's not safe it could kill you and your family.
Pay For a Professional Installation
This is the other end of the cost scale. You can expect to pay at least several thousand pounds. You can also expect a well integrated system, with good support if there are any teething problems. I won't go into any more detail as this isn't the kind of system that I'm interested in.
Work Closely With a Part P Registered Electrician
This can be a very good compromise. It can be fairly cheap. It is flexible, and the electrics should be safe. The biggest problem is finding a suitable electrician. Many domestic sparks are wary of anything non-standard. Some of the ones who don't run a mile, will ask a premium for such specialist work. You also need to have a very good working relationship with them to work through the problems that might (will) arise.
Do The Work Under a Building Notice
A common myth about "Part P" is that only registered electricians can do notifiable work. This is simply not true. Anyone can do any work they want. However, if the work is notifiable then it must be notified (for a fee) before the work starts. They will then arrange for the work to be inspected at certain points (for a fee). They will probably also require the work to be tested by an electrician at the end (for another fee).
This is probably starting to sound expensive, but at a few hundred pounds this is probably the best legal method. If you're doing building work that requires a building notice then you will still have to pay some of the fees, but will save a fair bit.
It is possible to do the testing yourself, and avoid the testing fee. However, the cost of a tester is likely to exceed the fee. You also have to convince your L.A.B.C. that you are competent. Therefore, this is probably only suitable for qualified electricians who only do commercial/industrial work and are not Part P registered.
Stick to Non-Notifiable Work
This is quite restrictive and in practice probably means only using plug in appliance and lamp controllers. If you don't want to re-plaster walls though, this might be a suitable approach. You can either use power line communication technologies such as X10, or radio frequency technologies such as Z-wave and HomeEasy.
Become Part P Registered Yourself
Financially, this doesn't make any sense. Many people enquire about this route, only to be shocked by the costs. The following are the bare minimum costs of the first years registration.
- Copy of BS7671 - £60
- Copy of Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations - £10
- Copy of IEE On-Site Guide - £15
- Second hand test instrument(s) and calibration certificate - £300
- Public Liability Insurance - £90
- First year's membership - £440
That said, this is the route that I have taken, so I must think it has its advantages! I get the same freedom as if I'd ignored "Part P", but should have no problems getting a completion certificate for the building work. It was also quite rewarding to prove to myself that I could do it.
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