Electrical Guides
Straight answers to the questions homeowners and landlords ask us most.
We get asked the same handful of questions on almost every domestic job. These guides answer them in plain English, so you know what's going on before an electrician arrives and can judge whether the advice you're given makes sense. They're general information, not a substitute for someone looking at your actual installation.
Costs
- What affects what an electrician charges?Day rates, fixed quotes, materials, access and testing time.
- What affects the cost of a house rewire?Points, full or partial, access, the board and making good.
- What affects the cost of a consumer unit upgrade?Circuits, RCBO or RCD layout, earthing, faults found and access.
- What affects the cost of installing an EV charger?Charger choice, cable run, board capacity, earthing and groundworks.
- What affects the cost of an EICR?Size, circuits, access and age: why two reports can be priced differently.
- What affects the cost of fitting an electric shower?Like-for-like or higher kW, cable size, board capacity and the isolator.
- What affects commercial EICR cost?Boards, circuits, premises type, isolation and remedial work.
Problems and warning signs
- Why is my socket not working?Likely causes, safe checks and the warning signs to stop.
- Why does my electric keep tripping?Common causes, the safe checks to try, and when to call us.
- Why are my lights flickering?LED and dimmer mismatches, loose lamps, loose connections and supply issues.
- Why is my electric shower not working?Tripping, cold water, scale, element failure and when to stop using it.
- Why does my oven trip the electrics?Elements, moisture, appliances and cooker switch faults.
- No power in half the house or one room?Power cut or tripped RCD, when to call 105 and safe checks.
- Why is my fuse box buzzing?What buzzing, heat or smell can mean and what to do safely.
- Signs your house needs rewiringOld cable types, round-pin sockets, scorch marks and frequent trips.
- Do I need a new consumer unit?Fuses or breakers, RCD and RCBO protection, enclosures and surge protection.
Rewires and building work
- Full rewire vs partial rewireHow to tell which you need, and when a new consumer unit is enough.
- How long does a house rewire take?The stages, what stretches them, and living at home during the work.
- How to choose an electricianScheme registers, written quotes, certificates and the questions worth asking.
- Building Regulations and electrical workWhich jobs are notifiable in England and why the certificate matters.
EICRs and certificates
- What is an EICR?What the condition report checks and what satisfactory means.
- Landlord EICRs: how often and what the rules sayFive-yearly inspections, copies for tenants and remedial deadlines.
- EICR codes explained: C1, C2, C3 and FIWhat each code means and what makes a report unsatisfactory.
- How often should a commercial property have an EICR?Duties, typical intervals, insurers, leases and the next inspection date.
- Installation certificates (EIC and Minor Works)The paperwork that should follow new electrical work.
Frequently asked questions
No. They explain the background so you know what to ask. Any work on fixed wiring should be done by a qualified electrician.
Because every property is different. The guides explain what drives the cost so a quote makes sense. For a fixed price, call 01235 430442.
Yes. If there's a question we're asked often, we'd like to answer it here. Mention it when you get in touch.
Mostly they're written for homeowners and landlords. Commercial testing and installations are covered on our commercial pages.
Want a price for your job?
Call 01235 430442 (Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:30pm) or send us the details.