EAR Engineering
Available for Service in Helderberg & Cape Town

Electrical Certificate of Compliance (COC) in Somerset West and Stellenbosch

Professional Engineering Services

Whether your property is going on the market, a tenant is moving in, you've had electrical work done, or your insurer needs one, we inspect and issue COCs quickly and correctly.

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Need a COC? Here Is How to Get It Sorted.

A Straightforward Process

A lot of people only think about their COC when something is forcing them to act—usually a property transfer that cannot proceed without one, or a landlord or insurer asking for documentation. Getting a COC doesn't have to be complicated. You call a registered electrician, they inspect the installation, fix anything that does not meet the required standard, and issue the certificate.

Timing Matters

The part that catches people out is using an electrician who is not registered to issue COCs, or leaving it too late before a transfer deadline. Both create unnecessary stress and delays. We handle COC inspections regularly across the Helderberg and Boland and we understand that timing often matters.

Our registered electricians also handle all electrical repairs and installations if work is needed before your COC can be issued. See our electrical services.

When Do You Need a COC?

There are four main situations where a COC is required or strongly recommended:

Selling a Property

A valid electrical COC is a legal requirement when selling a property in South Africa. The seller is responsible for providing one, and the transfer process cannot be completed without it. If your existing COC is more than two years old, or if any electrical work has been done since it was issued, a new one will be required.

Renting Out a Property

Landlords are required to ensure their rental properties are electrically compliant. A COC gives you documentation that the installation has been inspected and meets the required safety standard. It also protects you as a landlord if an electrical fault causes damage or injury on the property.

After New Electrical Work

Any time new electrical work is carried out on a property, a COC should be issued for that work. This applies to new installations, additions, DB board upgrades, solar installations and generator connections. If we carry out the work, we issue the COC as part of the job.

Insurance Purposes

Many insurers require proof of electrical compliance, particularly when insuring older properties or after an electrical-related claim. A valid COC is the document that provides that proof. If your insurer has asked for one, we can arrange an inspection quickly.

How the Process Works

Getting your COC from EAR Engineering is straightforward:

1

Get in touch

Call us or send a message. Tell us roughly how old the property is and whether any electrical work has been done recently. This helps us give you an idea of what to expect.

2

Schedule the inspection

We arrange a time to visit the property and carry out the inspection. For most properties this takes an hour or two.

3

Inspection and assessment

Our registered electrician inspects the electrical installation and identifies anything that does not meet the current standard.

4

Repairs if needed

If any issues are found, we provide a clear quote for the repairs required before the certificate can be issued. Once you approve, we carry out the work.

5

COC issued

Once the installation meets the required standard, we issue your Certificate of Compliance. You receive the documentation you need for your sale, rental, insurance or records.

In straightforward cases where the installation is already compliant, the certificate can be issued on the same visit. Where repairs are needed, the timeline depends on what is required.

What If The Inspection Finds Problems?

This is the question most people are anxious about. The honest answer is that older properties in particular often have some items that need attention before a COC can be issued. This is not unusual and it is not a disaster.

When our electrician finds something that needs to be fixed, we will tell you clearly what it is, why it matters, and what it will cost to repair. You will not be presented with a surprise invoice. We give you the information you need to make a decision, carry out the agreed repairs, and then issue the certificate.

Common issues include: outdated DB boards, missing earth connections, non-compliant wiring, and incorrectly installed plug points or light fittings. Most are straightforward to fix.

We also handle DB board upgrades and rewiring as part of the same job.

EAR Engineering electrician inspecting a DB board during a COC inspection

COC Costs

The cost of a COC inspection depends on the size of the property and whether any repairs are needed. Here is a general guide:

ServiceApproximate Cost
COC inspection, small residential propertyR800 to R1,500
COC inspection, larger residential propertyR1,500 to R3,000
COC inspection, commercial propertyQuoted on assessment
Electrical repairs before COC (if needed)Quoted separately after inspection
These figures cover the inspection and the certificate itself. If repairs are needed before the certificate can be issued, those are quoted separately and clearly before any work begins. Call us for a more accurate estimate based on your property.

Why Clients Choose EAR Engineering

Registered Electricians

Only a registered electrician can legally issue a COC in South Africa. Every inspection we carry out is done by a qualified, registered electrician.

18 Years Local

We have issued COCs for hundreds of properties across the Helderberg and Boland area, from townhouses to commercial buildings.

Repairs In-House

If the inspection finds issues, we fix them ourselves. Save time and avoid coordinating multiple contractors from start to certificate.

Honest About Work

We tell you clearly what is required and what it will cost before any repair work starts. No inflated defect lists or unnecessary work.

Understand Timelines

We know that a COC is often needed quickly because a transfer or tenancy is waiting. We do our best to accommodate urgent requests.

All Under One Roof

Electrical, solar, and COCs seamlessly handled so we sign off the exact system we install with utmost confidence.

What Our Clients Say

Rated highly by homeowners and businesses in Helderberg & Cape Town.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about working with EAR Engineering.

A COC is a document issued by a registered electrician confirming that the electrical installation on a property has been inspected and meets the safety standards required by South African law. It covers the fixed electrical installation, meaning the wiring, DB board, plug points, light fittings and similar components, but not individual appliances.
Yes. A valid electrical COC is a legal requirement for property transfers in South Africa. The seller must provide one. Without it, the transfer cannot be registered. If your existing COC was issued more than two years ago, or if electrical work has been carried out since it was issued, a new one will be needed.
A COC does not have a fixed expiry date, but it becomes invalid if any electrical work is carried out on the property after it is issued, or if a significant amount of time has passed and the installation has changed. For property sales, most conveyancers require a COC that is no more than two years old. When in doubt, a fresh inspection gives everyone peace of mind.
No. Only a registered electrician who is registered with the Department of Labour as an approved inspection authority can legally issue a COC in South Africa. Always check that the person issuing your certificate is properly registered. EAR Engineering's electricians are fully registered and qualified to issue COCs.
The electrician will give you a clear list of what needs to be repaired or replaced before the certificate can be issued. We quote for the repairs, carry out the work once approved, and then issue the certificate. It is not a pass or fail situation so much as a process of getting the installation to the required standard.
Yes. Any new electrical work requires a COC for that work. If we carry out the solar or generator installation, we include the COC as part of the job. If the work was done by someone else, we can carry out the inspection and issue the certificate.
We aim to accommodate urgent requests wherever possible. For properties where a transfer or tenancy is time-sensitive, call us directly and explain the situation. We will do our best to get to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. We issue COCs for residential and commercial properties. Commercial inspections are typically more involved and are quoted based on the size and complexity of the installation.
We cover Somerset West, Strand, Gordon's Bay, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Durbanville and Cape Town. Our main base is in Somerset West, so our response times across the Helderberg are especially fast.
Call us or send a message and we will arrange a convenient time for the inspection. Let us know if there is a deadline we should be aware of and we will do our best to work around it.

Ready to Get Started?

Professional electrical, aircon & solar in Helderberg + Cape Town.

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