Plain-English electrical advice for Poole, Bournemouth & Christchurch — no jargon, just straight answers.
Plain-English guides, fact-checked and sourced.
Why EICRs actually fail — missing RCD protection, poor earth bonding, and DIY damage, explained in plain English.
Read Article → RegulationsWhat consumer unit regulations actually require — metal enclosures, surge protection, and RCBOs, explained in plain English.
Read Article → LightingWhy fire-rated fittings, IC-rated insulation clearance, and the right dimmer all matter for a downlight upgrade.
Read Article → Home AutomationWhy neutral wires at switches, deep back-boxes, and a dedicated circuit for your hub actually matter.
Read Article →Real pricing breakdowns, by job type.
Get an instant budget estimate for common jobs.
The questions we get asked most, answered straight.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a safety check that tests the fixed wiring in a property — the consumer unit, sockets, switches and cabling — against current wiring regulations (BS 7671).
For rented and commercial properties, at least every 5 years, or sooner if a previous report specifies. Landlords also need a valid report before a new tenancy starts.
A consumer unit built with a non-combustible metal enclosure, required under Amendment 3 of the wiring regulations to help contain any internal fire risk.
Yes, we offer a 24/7 emergency callout service across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch for faults, power outages and urgent safety issues.
Usually an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance causing a short, or a genuine earth fault. Occasional trips can be normal; frequent ones are worth having checked.
Our online calculators give a budget estimate based on typical jobs. The final price is confirmed once we've seen the property.
UK rates typically run £45–£80 per hour depending on region, though most small jobs are priced as a fixed fee rather than hourly.
A full rewire on an average home usually takes 4–6 days, depending on size, layout and whether the property is occupied during the work.
A fixed attendance fee covers getting an engineer to you quickly and making things safe. Any further repair work is quoted on site.
The inspection itself usually takes 2–4 hours; the written certificate follows within 24–48 hours.
Yes — recessed downlights cut into a ceiling need to be fire-rated to maintain the fire resistance of the floor or ceiling above.
Yes, we're NICEIC registered, which lets us self-certify notifiable work under Part P without you needing to involve building control separately.
If it still uses rewireable fuses, has no RCD protection, or is made from wood or plastic rather than metal, it's overdue an upgrade.
An RCBO protects a single circuit individually, so a fault in one room doesn't cut power to the rest of the house. Modern consumer units use one per circuit.
No — EV charger installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician under BS 7671 (Section 722), which covers the specific safety requirements for charging equipment.
Yes. As of April 2026, the OZEV grant covers 75% of installation cost up to £500, for on-street parking, renters and flat owners, and landlords — open until 31 March 2027.
A C1 means danger is present right now. We make it safe immediately, on the spot, before we leave.
C2 means potentially dangerous and needs fixing within 28 days — it's what makes a report "Unsatisfactory." C3 is just a recommended improvement, not a fail.
Often a loose connection, a fitting rated for a lower wattage than the bulb, or occasionally a voltage issue on the supply. Worth having checked if it keeps happening.
It measures how quickly a fault current would travel back through the earthing system, confirming your protective devices will trip fast enough to keep you safe.
Generally yes — EICR testing and related repair costs on a rental property are usually treated as an allowable expense, but check with your accountant for your specific situation.
It protects your electronics from voltage spikes, caused by things like lightning strikes or grid switching, by safely diverting the excess current to earth.
It's not something we'd recommend without electrical knowledge — the circuit needs to be safely isolated first. A like-for-like swap by a professional is quick and inexpensive.
Modern PVC-insulated cable typically lasts 30–40 years. Older wiring insulated in rubber or fabric should be assessed for replacement regardless of its exact age.
Give us a call or send a message — we're happy to help.