How to Choose an EV Charging Installer in Manchester: What to Look For
Choosing the wrong EV charger installer can leave you with a non-compliant installation, voided warranty, failed inspections and a charger that does not work properly. The right installer delivers a safe, certified installation that meets the IET Code of Practice, qualifies for available grants, and comes with proper documentation and aftercare.
Manchester has dozens of electricians and companies offering EV charger installation. The quality ranges from excellent to dangerous. This guide explains exactly what to look for, what questions to ask, and what red flags should make you walk away.
Essential Accreditations and Qualifications
OZEV Approved Installer (Mandatory for Grant-Funded Installations)
If you want to claim the Workplace Charging Scheme grant (up to £350 per socket) or any other OZEV-administered funding, your installer must be OZEV-approved. Only approved installers can submit grant applications on your behalf and certify that the installation meets the scheme requirements.
Check the OZEV approved installer list on the GOV.UK website before engaging any installer for a grant-funded project. An installer who claims to be approved but is not on the list cannot process your grant application.
NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA Registration
Your installer must be registered with a competent person scheme:
- NICEIC: The most widely recognised scheme in the UK. NICEIC Approved Contractors are assessed annually and can self-certify electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
- NAPIT: An alternative competent person scheme with equivalent standing. NAPIT registered installers can also self-certify.
- ELECSA: Another recognised scheme, less common but equally valid.
An installer who is not registered with a competent person scheme cannot self-certify the work. You would need to arrange a separate Building Control inspection, adding cost and delay. In practice, any serious EV charger installer is registered.
IET Code of Practice for EV Charging
The IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) publishes the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment Installation. This is the definitive technical standard for EV charger installation in the UK. Ask your installer whether they have completed training on the current edition and whether they follow it.
The Code of Practice is not a legal requirement in itself, but it is the accepted industry standard. Any competent installer follows it. An installer who has not heard of it or dismisses it is not qualified to install EV chargers.
Manufacturer Training and Approval
Most EV charger manufacturers (Easee, Ohme, Pod Point, Wallbox, ABB, Schneider and others) offer installer training and approval programmes. Using a manufacturer-approved installer ensures:
- The charger is installed according to the manufacturer's specifications
- The manufacturer's warranty is valid
- The installer has access to manufacturer technical support
- Firmware and software are configured correctly during commissioning
What to Ask Before You Hire
1. Can You Show Me Your Registration and Insurance?
A competent installer will provide their NICEIC or NAPIT registration number on request. You can verify it online. They should also carry:
- Public liability insurance: Minimum £2 million, preferably £5 million or more
- Professional indemnity insurance: Covers design and specification errors
- Employer's liability insurance: Required if they employ anyone
2. Are You OZEV-Approved?
If you plan to claim any government grants, this is non-negotiable. Ask for their OZEV approval number and verify it.
3. Will You Complete a Site Survey Before Quoting?
Any installer who quotes a fixed price without visiting your site is guessing. A proper site survey assesses:
- Existing electrical supply capacity
- Consumer unit or distribution board condition and available ways
- Cable route from distribution board to charger location
- Ground conditions for trenching (if needed)
- Wall condition for wall-mounted chargers
- Mobile signal strength (for smart chargers that use 4G)
- Wi-Fi coverage (for chargers that use Wi-Fi)
4. What Is Included in Your Quote?
A clear, itemised quote should include:
- Charger supply and delivery
- All electrical installation work (cabling, distribution board modifications, RCD protection)
- Groundworks and cable containment
- Charger mounting, commissioning and testing
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
- Part P Building Regulations notification
- OZEV grant application (if applicable)
- Network or app setup for smart chargers
- Warranty terms and aftercare
- Supply upgrade from Electricity North West (this involves a separate application and payment to the DNO)
- Load management system
- Signage and bay markings
- Additional groundworks beyond the standard scope
5. What Certification Will I Receive?
After installation, you should receive:
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC): Confirms the installation has been designed, constructed, inspected and tested to BS 7671
- Part P notification: Confirmation that Building Control has been notified of the work
- Commissioning certificate: Confirms the charger has been set up, configured and tested
- Manufacturer's warranty registration: Confirms the warranty is active
6. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong After Installation?
Ask about aftercare, fault response and warranty support. Specifically:
- Do they offer a callout service for charger faults?
- What is their response time for fault calls?
- Is annual servicing available and what does it cost?
- Who handles warranty claims — the installer or the manufacturer?
- Is there an emergency contact for urgent faults?
Red Flags to Watch For
No Site Survey
An installer who quotes without visiting your property cannot know what the installation involves. A quote based on a phone description or photographs is unreliable. The final bill will almost certainly be higher than the quote, or the installation quality will suffer.
No Registration
If the installer is not registered with NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA, they cannot self-certify the work. This does not necessarily mean they are incompetent, but it does mean extra cost and risk for you. In practice, professional EV charger installers are registered.
Unusually Low Price
If one quote is 40 per cent below the others, ask why. Common reasons for suspiciously low quotes:
- No site survey — the installer has not accounted for the actual work required
- Substandard cable or containment — using cheaper materials than the specification requires
- No load management — installing chargers without checking supply capacity
- No certification — planning to skip the EIC and Part P notification
- No aftercare — no warranty support or fault response
Pressure to Commit Immediately
Professional installers provide written quotes and give you time to decide. An installer who pressures you to sign on the day, demands a large upfront deposit before surveying, or claims prices are increasing tomorrow is using sales tactics that have no place in electrical contracting.
No Insurance Documentation
Any installer who cannot provide evidence of current public liability and professional indemnity insurance is a risk. If something goes wrong — damage to your property, injury to a person, a fire caused by faulty installation — you need the installer's insurance to cover it.
How to Compare Quotes
When you have two or three quotes, compare them on:
1. Scope: Are they quoting for the same work? Check that cable routes, distribution board modifications, groundworks and certification are all included. 2. Charger specification: Are they quoting for the same charger model and features? A cheaper charger may lack smart features, have a shorter warranty, or not support the payment or access control you need. 3. Certification: Does every quote include EIC, Part P notification and commissioning? 4. Warranty: Compare charger warranty length and installer workmanship guarantee period. 5. Aftercare: Does the installer offer annual servicing and fault response? 6. Payment terms: Reasonable terms are a deposit of 10 to 30 per cent on acceptance, with the balance on completion and sign-off. Avoid paying more than 50 per cent before work begins.
Manchester Compliance: Your EV Charging Installer
Manchester Compliance is NICEIC Approved, OZEV-authorised and trained by leading charger manufacturers. We install EV chargers for commercial properties, care homes, hospitality venues, residential developments and workplaces across Greater Manchester.
Every installation includes a free site survey, full electrical assessment, itemised quote, BS 7671 certification, Part P notification, manufacturer warranty registration and aftercare support.
Call 0161 706 0946 to book your free site survey, or email hello@manchestercompliance.co.uk.
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