Why you should always verify first
In Ireland, all gas installation, commissioning and maintenance work must be carried out by a Registered Gas Installer. This is a legal requirement under the Gas (Interim) (Regulation) Act 2002. An RGI registration is not a quality mark you can take or leave — it is the law.
The problem is that anyone can claim to be registered. Verbal assurances cost nothing and a business card proves nothing. The only way to know for certain is to check the number against the Gas Networks Ireland register before work begins.
Unregistered gas work is illegal, unsafe and will typically void your home insurance. If something goes wrong, you may have no recourse and no payout. Verifying takes two minutes. There is no reason not to.
How to use the GNI register
Gas Networks Ireland maintains a publicly searchable register of every active RGI registered installer. Here is how to use it:
- Ask the installer for their RGI registration number before any work starts. A registered professional will provide it without hesitation.
- Open a browser and go to rgi.ie. Find the installer search or register lookup on the homepage.
- Enter the registration number provided. You can also search by name or county if you do not have a number yet.
- Review the result. The register shows the installer's name, registration number, current status, and county.
- Confirm the name and number match the person you are dealing with. If anything looks wrong, ask before proceeding.
If the number returns no result, or if the registration shows as lapsed or cancelled, do not allow the work to proceed.
What the register shows
When you look up a registration number, you will typically see:
- Full name of the installer or their trading business
- RGI registration number, the unique identifier issued by Gas Networks Ireland
- Registration status, which should show as active
- County where the installer is primarily based
Some records also show the categories of gas work the installer is qualified to carry out — natural gas, LPG, or specific appliance types. This matters for specialist jobs such as range cooker installation.
What to do if a number does not check out
Stop the conversation immediately. Do not allow the work to start and do not make any payment.
Contact Gas Networks Ireland if you need to report someone claiming to be registered when they are not. You can also contact the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which oversees gas safety in Ireland.
Ask the installer to show their physical RGI card. Registered installers carry a card from Gas Networks Ireland showing their name, number and expiry date. If they cannot produce it, that is another serious red flag.
Red flags to watch for
Beyond verifying the number, watch for these warning signs:
- Reluctance to share their RGI number. Any delay or refusal is a serious warning sign.
- Pressure to start immediately. High-pressure tactics prevent you from doing research.
- Cash only, no invoice. Registered professionals issue proper invoices with their business details.
- No written quote. Any reputable gas installer will quote in writing before starting work.
- No completion certificate. After notifiable gas work, a registered installer must issue a Certificate of Completion.
Taking a few minutes to verify credentials protects your family, your home and your insurance policy. Use the search on this site to find a verified RGI registered installer in your county.