Installing an EV Charger: What Property Owners Need to Know
EV charger installation is straightforward on paper — mount a unit, connect it to the supply — but the survey stage is where most of the real decisions get made.
Domestic vs workplace charging
A single domestic charger is usually a same-day job once the survey's done. Workplace or multi-unit installations (a row of bays in a car park, for example) involve load assessment across the whole site's supply, and sometimes a DNO (distribution network operator) application if the existing supply can't take the extra load.
What the survey actually checks
- The property's existing supply capacity and whether it can take the extra load without upgrade
- Cable route from the consumer unit or distribution board to the charging point
- Earthing arrangement — some properties need additional earthing protection for EV charging specifically
- Mounting location, cable length and any groundworks needed
Grants and incentives
Government-backed grant schemes for EV charger installation have changed several times in recent years, and eligibility depends on property type and whether it's domestic or workplace. Rather than quote a figure that may already be out of date, we'd recommend checking the current scheme details on GOV.UK before budgeting, and we're happy to confirm what applies to your specific installation at survey stage.
Questions worth asking before you commit
- Does the property's existing supply need an upgrade, and who arranges that?
- Is a DNO application needed, and what's the typical turnaround?
- What's included in the quoted price — is groundworks or cable routing extra?
- What certification will you receive at the end, and is it enough for insurance/mortgage purposes?