When does electrical work need an independent inspector?

Some electrical work in New Zealand legally has to be inspected by someone other than the electrician who did it. Most homeowners don’t know this until they’re quoted for it and then ask, reasonably, “why am I paying for two people?” Here’s the plain-language version.

What’s an electrical inspector?

An electrical inspector is a separately-licensed professional who inspects high-risk electrical work after it’s been installed. They’re not the same as the electrician who did the work. The point of the separation is independence. The inspector signs off that the work is safe and compliant, and they’re not the person who built it.

In New Zealand the EWRB issues two relevant licences:

Electrician - does the work
Electrical Inspector - inspects high-risk work and signs the Certificate of Verification

Some sparkies hold both licences. Most don’t. We don’t, but we work with several inspectors we know and trust.

What work needs an inspector?

The legal term is Prescribed Electrical Work, or PEW. The list comes from the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010.

Examples of PEW that needs inspection:

Mains supply work (the cable from the street to your house)
Switchboard work on the main switch
Some solar panel installations
Some EV charger installations (especially three-phase or higher current)
Three-phase installations
Work over 1000V AC
Hazardous locations: swimming pools, spas, marinas, fuel storage areas
New connections to the supply network
Some commercial work

What doesn’t need an inspector:

Most residential outlet, switch, and lighting work
Replacing like-for-like fittings
Most repairs to existing circuits
Adding new lighting circuits in a standard residential setting
Standard switchboard maintenance (as long as it’s not main switch work)

If you’re not sure, ask your electrician. If they say “I’ll just self-certify it” but the work involves any of the high-risk categories above, that’s a red flag. Self-certification on PEW is illegal.

Who arranges the inspector?

Your electrician should arrange this for you. We do. We coordinate the timing, manage the paperwork, and include the inspector’s fee in our quote up front.

If a competitor’s quote doesn’t mention inspection but the work needs it, ask why. Either:

They’ve forgotten to include it
They’re planning not to do it (illegal)
They hold the inspector licence themselves (rare - ask them to show you)

What does an inspector cost?

Inspector fees vary by job type. Rough ranges in 2026 Auckland:

Simple PEW inspection (e.g. main switch upgrade): $150 to $300
Complex installs (e.g. new mains supply): $300 to $600
Solar inspections: $200 to $400
Three-phase work: $250 to $500

These are independent fees, not part of the electrician’s labour. On a transparent quote, you’ll see them as a line item.

What does the inspector actually do?

Visits the site after the work is complete
Checks the install against NZ standards (AS/NZS 3000 mainly)
Tests circuits, polarity, earthing, and RCDs
Verifies the electrician’s documentation
Issues a Certificate of Verification (CoV) if it passes
Signs off the Electrical Safety Certificate

The CoV is what makes the work legally compliant. Without it on PEW work, your installation isn’t legitimate. Your insurance may not cover a claim arising from it, and selling the property becomes complicated because the buyer’s lawyer will ask for the paperwork.

Can the same person who did the work also inspect it?

Only if they hold both licences and the regulations allow self-inspection for that specific category of work. Most PEW requires independence. Don’t accept “I’ll check my own work” on high-risk work without verifying the licence and the rules.

How we handle this at Arahia

When a job needs an inspector, we tell you up front. The inspector’s fee is included as a separate line on your quote. We coordinate the timing so you don’t have to chase anyone. The inspector reports to you, not to us, which is the whole point of independence. You get the CoV directly.

If we miss this on a quote and it turns out PEW work is needed, we cover the difference. You don’t pay extra for our mistake.

FAQs

Is the inspector fee per visit or per job? Per inspection, which usually means per job, but some larger jobs need a pre-install check and a final inspection. If a second visit is needed, there’s a second fee. We’ll flag this on your quote before work starts.

What happens if the inspection fails? The inspector provides a list of what needs fixing. Your electrician rectifies the issues, and the inspector comes back (usually at a reduced fee for the re-inspection). No CoV is issued until the work passes. That’s the whole point of the system.

Can I choose my own inspector? Yes. You’re the customer and the CoV is issued to you. If you have an inspector you prefer to work with, let us know and we’ll coordinate with them instead of our usual contacts.

Why isn’t this mandatory for all electrical work? Because the risk isn’t the same across every job. Swapping a like-for-like power point doesn’t need independent verification. Connecting a new 32A circuit to your main switchboard is a different scale of risk. The regulations target the high-risk categories specifically so that routine work isn’t bogged down with extra cost and paperwork.

How do I check an inspector is licensed? Same as checking an electrician. The EWRB register at ewrb.govt.nz lists everyone with a current licence, including inspectors. You can search by name and see their licence class and whether it’s current.

Got a job that might need an inspector? Give us a call on 09 392 0055 and we’ll tell you straight whether it’s PEW and what the inspection will cost.

Arahia Electrical covers South Auckland - Manurewa, Papakura, Manukau, Ōtara, Māngere, Pukekohe, Flat Bush and wider Auckland.