Electricians in London & Essex, NICEIC approved

Signs your electrics need attention

Electrical problems rarely fix themselves. If you notice any of the following, it's worth booking an inspection before a small fault becomes a dangerous one:

• Circuits that trip repeatedly, or a trip switch that won't reset
• Scorch marks, a burning smell, or sockets and switches that feel warm
• Lights that flicker or dim when appliances switch on
• An old fuse box with wire fuses, or a board with no RCD protection
• Black rubber, fabric-covered or lead-sheathed cables
• Round-pin sockets or sockets mounted on skirting boards

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) tells you exactly what condition your installation is in and what, if anything, needs doing. It's the sensible first step before buying a property, starting a renovation or letting a home.

Fuse board upgrades explained

A modern consumer unit does far more than an old fuse box. RCD protection cuts the power in a fraction of a second if current leaks to earth, which is the main protection against electric shock. RCBOs go a step further and protect each circuit individually, so a fault on one circuit doesn't plunge the whole house into darkness.

Since 2016, the wiring regulations have required consumer units in homes to have a non-combustible enclosure, which in practice means a metal board. Most new boards also include surge protection, which the current regulations call for in most homes.

Before we change a board we test the existing circuits. Older installations sometimes have faults that an old fuse box tolerated but a modern RCD won't. If we find any, we explain what they are and agree the cost of putting them right before we carry on, so there are no surprises.

What to expect from a rewire

A full rewire replaces the cables, sockets, switches and consumer unit throughout the property. Most houses take several days, and the work happens in two stages. First fix is when floorboards are lifted, cables are run and walls are chased before any plastering. Second fix is when sockets, switches and lights are fitted and everything is tested.

Rewiring is messy, so it's best done before decorating or as part of a wider renovation. If much of your wiring is sound, a partial rewire of the problem circuits can be a cheaper alternative. Either way, you get an Electrical Installation Certificate and the work is notified to Building Control.

EV charger installation

Every EV charger installation starts with a survey. We check the capacity of your incoming supply, your earthing arrangement, the cable route and where you park. If your supply is tight, a charger with load management can share power with the rest of the house instead of overloading it.

Chargers for home use must be smart chargers under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, which lets you schedule charging for cheaper off-peak electricity. We notify your network operator about the installation and give you the certificate and set-up details on the day.

Commercial electrical work

For shops, offices, restaurants and other commercial premises, we carry out installations, alterations, fault finding and periodic inspection and testing (often called fixed wire testing). Most offices and shops are inspected every five years, though some higher-risk premises need more frequent checks, and your insurer may set its own interval.

We work around your opening hours wherever we can, and keep records you can hand straight to your insurer, landlord or auditor. For multi-site or ongoing work, see our landlord and commercial services.