Electrical Repair and Maintenance Services for Homeowners
Electrical services we provide include small electrical works such as simple repairs through to lighting, fuse boxes and rewires for homeowners and the full range of small works electrical services for homes including new installations, fault finding and maintenance.
Renting property and landlord safety certificates
All electrical systems are subject to wear and tear and are required to be inspected and tested every 3-5 years.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a legal requirement for private landlords in Scotland. An EICR is also a requirement from many insurance companies prior to granting insurance cover. This is especially the case for employers and for premises which have public access.
Electrics inspected in an EICR
Electrical components inspected for faults during an EICR include the fuse board (consumer unit), wiring, sockets, light fittings and appliances such as boilers and storage heaters. Types of electrical faults typically tested for include:
- Damage to electrical fittings which may be a safety hazard for premises’ occupants.
- Visible live wires which could cause electrocution or be a fire risk.
- Earthing and bonding integrity.
- Fire/smoke detectors and circuit breakers.
Electrical checks homeowners can carry out
Prevention is always better than a cure, especially where there is a risk to life so identifying potential electrical hazards in the home is of paramount importance. Homeowners or landlords can carry out safe, simple checks to ensure that their electrics are in optimum condition.
- Ensure socket and light switch casings are free from damage including cracks or any evidence of burns.
- Check that multi-socket extension cords are not overloaded with plugs. It is not recommended to ‘daisy chain’ extension cords (connecting them together) so either redistribute the plugs or use longer extension cords.
- Electricity and water are a lethal combination. Ensure that all bathroom electrics are positioned well away from sources of water such as wash hand basins and showers.
- Carry out regular tests of your RCD (fuse box/consumer unit). This is done by depressing the test button and checking that all electrical devices and appliances connected to the mains electricity switch off. If any devices or appliances still have power after the test button is depressed contact an electrician. If you are in any doubt about how to test your RCD contact a qualified electrician.
Always use a qualified electrician
In general, a lot of electrical maintenance and repair is required when initial electrical work has been inadequately carried out or by someone who is not a qualified electrician. We recommend that you always use a qualified electrician who is registered with NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) or Select (the trade association for the electrical contracting industry in Scotland) and who complies with BS7671 which is the safety standard for UK electrical installations.