An authentic CoC certificate is legally needed if you are selling your property in order for the transfer to go through.
The Coc certificate could cost you from R850.00, this costing will depend on the size and type of premises.
The Coc certificate costing will only cover the Coc certificate, and if there are any modifications to be made to the electrical components of the premises this will will need to be paid over and above the cost. A Coc certificate assures that:
- Your property has been earthed and bonded professionally by a certified electrician
- Your property’s electrical work will be in line with the necessary regulations
- All electrical circuits are functioning correctly and efficiently.
- Your property is safe against any potential shocks or fires.
What is an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC)?
As specified in the Electrical Installations Occupational Health and Safety Act an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) is needed, this assures that the electrical work on the property adhere to the South African National Standards.
Before a property can be transferred, it is the homeowners responsibility to supply a valid Electrical Compliance Certificate as well as an electrical fence certificate of compliance.
If your home has the following items: DBboard, lights, swimming pools, geysers, wiring and plugs you will need a Coc Certificate.
All certified electrical contractors are expected to be registered with the Department Of Labour (D.O.L), before issuing a CoC electrical certificate, this may be verified by the E.C.A. (Electrical Contractors Association) or the Department of Labour.
A Certified Electrician will perform the following during an Electrical Compliance Certificate (ECoC) inspection
- Make sure that the fuse box is fitted with a trip switch
- Ensure that switches, sockets and light fittings are operating properly.
- Inspect that the premises are earthed and bonded properly.
- Make sure that the switch box is labelled correctly and includes the right warnings.
- Make certain there is no damage or wear and tear
- Make sure the kind of wiring system is safe and in good condition.
- Make certain the electrical main switch is compliant with regulation.
For how many years is a COC Certificate valid for?
A CoC certificate does not stay valid forever, as a homeowner of a house you can not supply the buyer with the original CoC certificate, you will need to obtain a new CoC if yours is older than two years, if your CoC is not older than two years you will need to specify that no modifications have been made to the electric components of the house in the last three months. This helps to guarantee that any changes or additions that have been made to the electrical components of the house remain in line with the required regulations.
What the Electrician is responsible for
As a certified electrician you will need to register for your CoC yearly. Irrespective of the electrical work performed, every single electrician will need to register with the appropriate authority yearly.
If an individual needs to evaluate the integrity of the electrician executing the electrical work they will need to speak to the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa and the Department of Labour, they will then obtain the electricians registration card together with their accreditation certificate.
What is the duty of the Home seller?
It is the duty of the seller to ensure the property has a genuine CoC, before the property may be registered in the buyer’s name they will need to arrange an electrical evaluation. If any new electrical work has been done on the house the homeowner must get a new ECoc.
Costing of the Certificate of Compliance (CoC)?
Electrical Compliance Certificate could cost you from R850.00 upwards, and this relies on the kind of premises being evaluated like domestic, commercial and industrial properties will have various costs.
The above costing only covers the cost of the certificate, anything that needs to be altered relating to the electrical components of the premises will need to be paid for over and above this cost. When all the electrical components are all in line with the necessary regulations the qualified electrician will give the owner the CoC.
As soon as new electrical changes have been completed will my Certificate of Compliance (CoC) still stand?
If the electrical components of the property have been modified you will need an additional CoC certificate this in turn needs to be always kept with the first CoC.
How many hours will it take for a certified electrician to inspect and provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC for the property?What is the approximated time for a licensed electrician to assess and provide a Certificate of Compliance (CoC for a property?
The estimation on inspecting the property could take around two to three hours, the size of the property will determine this.
