What to Look for in an EV Charger Installer (And Red Flags to Avoid)

Why Installation Quality Matters More Than You Think

Choosing the right EV charger gets a lot of attention. Choosing the right installer doesn’t get nearly enough.

A bad installation isn’t just inconvenient — it can be genuinely dangerous. We’re talking about a 32-amp circuit pulling 7,400 watts of power for hours at a time, every single night. If the wiring is wrong, the circuit protection is inadequate, or the earthing isn’t up to standard, you’re looking at:

• Fire risk from overheating connections or undersized cables
• Electric shock from poor earthing or missing RCD protection
• Voided home insurance if the work wasn’t done by a certified professional
• Voided charger warranty if the manufacturer’s installation requirements weren’t followed
• Lost OZEV grant if the installer isn’t OZEV-approved

This isn’t scaremongering. Electrical Safety First, the UK charity, has documented numerous cases of substandard EV charger installations. The consequences are real.

What a Qualified Installer Must Have

1. Part P Competent Person Registration

This is non-negotiable. In England and Wales, installing an EV charger is notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations. Your installer must be registered with one of these competent person schemes:

• NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
• NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
• ELECSA
• STROMA

If they’re not registered with one of these, they legally cannot self-certify the work. They’d need to get it signed off by your local Building Control — which costs more and takes longer.

How to check: Ask for their registration number and verify it on the scheme’s website. Every legitimate installer will happily provide this.

2. OZEV Approved Installer Status

If you’re claiming the £500 OZEV grant, your installer must be on the OZEV approved list. They handle the grant paperwork and deduct it from your invoice — you never have to deal with the government directly.

Even if you’re not eligible for the grant, OZEV approval is a strong quality signal. It means the installer has been vetted, insured, and meets specific standards for EV charger installation.

3. Adequate Insurance

A proper installer carries:

• Public liability insurance (minimum £2 million, preferably £5 million)
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Employer’s liability insurance (if they have employees)

Ask for their insurance certificate. If they hesitate, that’s a red flag.

4. Manufacturer Training (Ideally)

Some charger manufacturers require or recommend installer training for warranty purposes. Tesla, for example, has a network of approved installers. Ohme and myenergi also offer installer certification programmes.

Red Flags That Should Make You Walk Away

The Price Is Suspiciously Low

A standard 7kW home charger installation in the UK typically costs £400–600 for labour on top of the charger unit. If someone quotes you £200 for the full installation, something is wrong. They’re probably:

• Cutting corners on cable quality
• Skipping surge protection or proper RCD selection
• Not planning to self-certify the work under Part P
• Not OZEV-registered (so you can’t claim the grant)

They Won’t Do a Site Survey

A reputable installer will always want to survey your property before giving a final quote. They need to check:

• Distance from your consumer unit to the charger location
• Whether your existing electrical supply can handle the additional load
• If your consumer unit needs upgrading
• Cable routing options and any groundwork needed

If someone gives you a firm price over the phone without seeing your property, be very cautious.

No Written Quote or Paperwork

You should receive:

• A detailed written quote breaking down unit cost, labour, materials, and any extras
• Confirmation of Part P notification
• An electrical installation certificate after completion
• OZEV grant paperwork (if applicable)

They Can’t Show Previous Work

Any experienced EV charger installer should be happy to show you photos of previous installations or provide customer references. If they can’t — or won’t — they may be new to EV charger work.

They Push a Specific Charger Brand Too Hard

A good installer will recommend the charger that’s right for your situation. If they’re aggressively pushing one specific brand, they may have a financial incentive that doesn’t align with your best interests.

What a Good Installation Looks Like

A properly installed home EV charger should include:

1. Dedicated circuit: A new 32A circuit from your consumer unit to the charger, with appropriately rated cable (typically 6mm² or 10mm² depending on distance)
2. Correct RCD protection: Type A RCD minimum (Type B if required by your DNO or charger manufacturer)
3. Surge protection device (SPD): Now required under the 18th Edition wiring regulations for new circuits
4. Neat cable routing: Cable clips at regular intervals, trunking where exposed, sealed entry points to prevent water ingress
5. Proper mounting: Secure wall fixings appropriate for your wall type (brick, render, timber frame)
6. Testing and certification: Full electrical test with results recorded, Part P notification, and an electrical installation certificate

How to Get Quotes the Right Way

1. Get at least 3 quotes — this lets you compare not just on price, but on professionalism, communication, and thoroughness
2. Ask the right questions: “Are you Part P registered?”, “Are you OZEV-approved?”, “Can I see your insurance?”, “Will you do a site survey?”
3. Check reviews — Google reviews, Trustpilot, Checkatrade, or the scheme’s own review system
4. Don’t automatically pick the cheapest — the cheapest quote is often cheapest for a reason

Let Us Handle the Vetting

We only work with OZEV-certified, Part P registered, fully insured installers. Every installer in our network has been vetted for qualifications, insurance, and installation quality.

You get up to 3 free quotes from certified installers in your area — no obligation, no hassle, no worrying about whether you’ve picked a cowboy.

Get free quotes from vetted installers → | Read our installation guide →