Home improvements. Protective bonding
Cut the risk of electric shocks and electrical fires in your home with protective bonding.
Everything you need to know about our protective bonding service
Watch our short video on protective bonding to find out what it is and why you may need one to help keep your home safe.
Why your home needs protective bonding
Make sure your home electrics are safe.
Safety in your home
It'll help keep you safe from electric shocks, electrical fires — and up to date with the latest safety standards released by the Institution of Engineering and Technology.
New fuse boxes (consumer units)
If you're getting a new fuse box (consumer unit), you'll need new protective bonding too.
Safety Advice Notices
If your engineer has given you a Safety Advice Notice saying you need it.
What is protective bonding?
Protective bonding reduces the risk of life-threatening electric shocks and electrical fires in your home. It's typically needed in older buildings where gas and water pipes are made from metal rather than plastic. As they age, stray wires and plumbing can come into contact with each other and make the metallic appliances around your home electrically charged.
- Better protection from electric shocks for you and your family
- Visible protection across gas, electricity and water supplies
- Helps landlords keep up to date with the latest safety regulations
What will the engineer do?
Our engineers fully test your electrics to make sure you’re properly protected. If you need protective bonding, we’ll bond the water and gas pipes to the main earth terminal in your home. If you already have protective bonding, our engineers check and certify that it’s up to scratch - sometimes it can look like you’re protected when you’re not.
How to get protective bonding
- Our engineer will check your home's wiring and give you a fixed price quote
- If you decide to go ahead, we’ll help you book an appointment
- Our engineer will install your protective bonding and give you a certificate for the work
- You'll be protected straight away, and you won't need any maintenance
Already have a quote? Accept it online.
Need to know more?
What is protective bonding?
It protects your electrics, so you won't get electric shocks, by connecting metal services to the electrical earthing system.
Why do I need protective bonding?
If you have metal water and gas pipes coming into your home – these are typically found in older homes. Protective bonding is an essential requirement of every electrical installation, however it is often overlooked by an unqualified person attempting electrical work themselves. If you're having a new fuse box (consumer unit) fitted by British Gas and we see that you don't have protective bonding, we'll do it for you. You may have an advisory notice on your gas meter or boiler that says you need protective bonding.
Do I need protective bonding every time I install a new fuse box (customer unit)?
No. If you already have protective bonding, there is no need for us to install new. However, if you require protective bonding when installing a new fuse box (consumer unit), it is normally quoted for as part of the original quote. If it is not identified during the original quote, it will be charged as a separate service.
How much does protective bonding cost and what's included?
The price will depend on the distance between your gas, water and electricity meters. We'll quote you a fixed price and we have lots of different ways you can pay – including instalments. You can book a free quote online by clicking here. A qualified British Gas engineer will come and do the job and give you a certificate to say that it's been done. You'll also get a 12 month guarantee.
Will you need to take up my floorboards?
We'll do our best to minimise disruption but sometimes, we might have to look under your floorboards. Don't worry, we'll always ask your permission first!
How do I tell if my home already has the correct protective bonding?
Unfortunately, it's not easy for the average person to tell if their home has protective bonding. It's best to get a qualified electrical engineer to do this for you. Our engineers will tell you if you have protective bonding, and if it's the right size and connected safely.
How long will protective bonding installation take?
It depends where your incoming gas and water service pipes are. As well as your fuse box (consumer unit). It can take anything from an hour to four hours.
Moving home or a landlord?
If you're a landlord, we recommend you get your electrical installations checked every five years. If you want to check the electrics in your new home, we can carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). It includes checking your protective bonding.
How do I get protective bonding?
Ask us for a quote and pick a time for our engineer to visit. They'll take a look at your electrics and give you a quote. If you accept our quote, get in touch to book an appointment for your protective bonding.
Home improvements. Our products and services
We've got home improvement solutions to give you peace of mind with your heating, hot water and electrics.