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| Do I need an electrician? To call or not to call? If that's the question, take a look at this list below. You'll need an electrician if... |
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| + | Lights or sockets in your home or garden are not working This could indicate either problems with your electrical installation, or problems with the light or socket fittings themselves. You'll need an electrician to diagnose where the problem lies. Common problems are unsound installations that might have to be replaced, faulty fuses, old light fittings reaching the end of their useful lives, water getting into lights and sockets, or a wiring fault. You may even find a squirrel or rat has bitten through your wiring! |
| + | Your fuse trips This is most likely to be linked with problems with your lights and sockets. Again, you will need an electrician to diagnose what is going wrong. |
| + | Your phone doesn't work If one of your home telephones doesn't work - there's no dialling tone or it doesn't ring - you may have a problem with one of your phone sockets. BT will charge you for a visit to test your incoming line and check your master socket. But the problems most frequently lie with the other sockets which are left out of such inspections. |
| + | Your entryphone system/intercom is faulty You can't let people in or the bell doesn't work. The problem needs investigation. |
| + | You need new lights or sockets Unless the problem involves merely changing the fittings and accessories, you now need an approved electrician to do this work. |
| + | You're buying or selling a home Electrical surveys are a growing trend for both buyers and sellers, partly because of proposed moves to sellers' packs, and partly because of more stringent regulation of home electrical safety. Buildings surveyors are trained to recognise some of the indicators of poor installations but, generally speaking, they are not qualified electricians. For sellers, an electrical survey can assure prospective buyers that the house is safe, and remove potential sticking points over price. Changing light fittings, switches and sockets might enhance the value of your home, just like redecoration prior to sale. If you are buying a property, a qualified electrician from Harland & Voss can inspect the electrics on your behalf to find out whether anything is wrong, and, if so, how much it would cost to fix. This could be a full inspection and test - to which sellers should not object - or a more cursory look. Whether you are selling your home or moving into a newly-purchased property, please make sure you do electrical work first before you start on the decorating! If we can help you with your electrical needs, please call us on 020 8451 0345 or e-mail us. |
You don't need an electrician when... |
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| + | Your domestic appliances are broken Fridges, freezers, cookers, washing machines, dryers, microwaves are fixed by white goods repair companies. Audiovisual equipment - TVs, DVDs, VCRs and sound systems - should also be referred to specialist repairers, not electricians. |
| + | Your boiler and central heating electrics need attention These are usually dealt with by central heating and gas installers. |
| + | There are power cuts If the electrics fail suddenly in your house, take a look out of your window to see whats going on in the street. If your neighbours' houses are dark too, there's probably been a power cut. Please contact your electrical supplier: the phone number will be on your electricity bill. |