Electrical work
Find electricians for repairs and installations
Review electrician profiles, service areas and advertised availability for fault finding, safety checks and planned electrical work.
Plan the job before you contact a tradesperson
Electrical work should begin with a clear description of the circuit, equipment and symptoms. A tripping protective device, burning smell, heat-damaged fitting, flickering light or loss of power can have several causes, and repeatedly resetting a circuit may conceal a fault. Note which rooms or appliances are affected and what happened immediately before the problem appeared.
Planned electrical projects benefit from decisions made before walls are opened or finishes are applied. Think about socket positions, lighting controls, data points, outdoor supplies, appliance loads and future use. A drawing or marked-up photograph can prevent assumptions. For kitchens, extensions and renovations, coordinate the electrician with the builder, plumber and cabinet installer so cable routes and connection points are ready at the correct stage.
Some electrical work is notifiable or should be inspected, tested and certified. The exact requirement depends on the job and location within the property. Ask the electrician what certification will be provided, how the installation will be tested and whether they will handle any required notification. Keep the paperwork with the property records rather than treating it as an optional extra.
Common electrics jobs
Use the job description to find a profile whose stated services match the work, then confirm the exact scope directly.
Testing circuits and accessories to locate trips, intermittent power, damaged wiring, faulty equipment or unsafe connections.
Adding, moving or replacing accessories and lighting while checking circuit capacity, earthing and the condition of existing wiring.
Assessing protective devices and planning replacement or remedial work where the existing board no longer meets the installation's needs.
Producing an Electrical Installation Condition Report and explaining observations, classifications and recommended remedial priorities.
Designing suitable protected circuits for gardens, outbuildings, gates, equipment or electric-vehicle charging points.
Planning cable routes, loads, controls and testing for extensions, kitchens, loft conversions and substantial room changes.
Explore eligible electrics profiles
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Safety and quote checks
Switch off and keep clear of equipment that is smoking, sparking, unusually hot or visibly damaged. If there is immediate danger or fire, use the emergency services. Do not remove covers or attempt live testing unless you are competent and equipped to do so. An electrician may ask you to isolate a circuit at the consumer unit while waiting, but only follow instructions you can carry out safely.
For quotations, distinguish a fixed installation price from diagnostic work charged by time. Ask whether fittings are supplied, which product range is assumed, whether decoration or building work is excluded, and what testing or certification follows completion. On larger jobs, confirm the number of points and circuits in writing; phrases such as 'rewire room' can hide very different scopes.
Project checklist
- List the affected circuits, rooms and appliances and when the fault occurs.
- Take clear photographs without removing electrical covers or exposing conductors.
- Ask what registration, competence and insurance are relevant to the proposed work.
- Confirm the accessory range, finish, quantities and locations before installation.
- Request details of testing, certification and any building-control notification.
- Agree who handles access, chasing, lifting floors, making good and waste removal.
A clearer way to move from problem to project
Step 1
Map what you need
Count outlets and controls, mark preferred positions and identify high-load equipment. Include likely future needs before the circuit design is finalised.
Step 2
Confirm the installation method
Discuss surface or concealed routes, access under floors, shutdowns and decoration. The method affects cost, disruption and sequencing with other trades.
Step 3
Test before handover
Check that controls are labelled and working, receive the promised certificates, and ask how to operate any new protective or smart equipment.
Questions to consider
What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report records the condition of an existing installation after inspection and testing. It identifies observations using standard classifications. It is not the same document as an installation certificate for newly completed work.
Do I need a complete rewire?
Age alone does not decide this. An electrician considers the wiring type, condition, earthing, protective devices, test results and whether the installation supports current use. Ask for the evidence behind a recommendation and whether targeted remedial work is a safe option.
Who supplies lights and sockets?
Either arrangement can work, but it must be agreed. If you supply fittings, confirm compatibility, lead times and warranty responsibility. If the electrician supplies them, make sure the quotation states the manufacturer, range, colour and quantity rather than a vague allowance.