I have always been happy with the quality of work delivered by Oval Electrical over the last few years.
1) Trusted Electrician in Westdene
Westdene is a residential suburb on the edge of Brighton. I have carried out electrical work for nearly 10 years here, long enough to know what to expect when I walk into one of these houses.
Most homes here were built in the 1950s and 60s. The houses themselves have held up fine, but the electrics? Often a different story. A lot of what I find is old wiring that's been bodged over the years, sometimes by someone who knew what they were doing, sometimes clearly not. Old fuseboards, circuits with no earth, sockets that were added by whoever owned the place two owners ago. These aren't rare finds in Westdene, they're pretty much the norm.
A while back we installed a Hypervolt EV charger on a property just off Hillcrest. On paper it was a simple install, but the consumer unit was the original one, decades old, No adequate protection and definitely not something you'd want to wire an EV charger into. So we talked the homeowner through it, upgraded the fuseboard and got the charger installed. That's how we work. If we find something unsafe we will take the time to explain why it's unsafe and give you options on how we can move forward. We will never carry out work that is unsafe or carry out upgrades without prior approval.
I'm Harry. I run Oval Electrical, and I aim to make each job as clear and straightforward as possible.
Back to top2) Jobs we have done locally
Besides the Hillcrest charger, we recently carried out an EICR on a property in the area. The Landlord was getting it ready to rent the place out and needed a certificate before any new tenants moved in.
We also recently fitted some external lights on a job on Greenridge. It's the kind of work people assume is quick and easy, but outdoor lights need the right IP-rating, proper earthing, and making sure all the wiring is suitable to be outdoors. Get that wrong and you've got a problem. Get it right and it genuinely changes how a property looks and feels after dark.
Back to top3) Services We Offer in Westdene
This is becoming one of the most requested jobs in the area. New families moving into the area with electric or hybrid vehicles want a proper home charger , not a three-pin plug, not a public point down the road. We install Hypervolt chargers and handle everything from start to finish, including any fuseboard work that needs doing first. Prices typically start from around £1,100 + VAT depending on your setup.
Sometimes a rewire is the right answer. Not always, but in some of the older properties around here it makes more sense than patching things up indefinitely. We plan these carefully to keep disruption to a minimum and always talk you through what's involved before we start.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is the proper way to assess what state your wiring is actually in. Landlords need one every five years, or between tenancies. If you're buying an older property it's increasingly something mortgage lenders want to see. We issue certificates you can actually use.
A lot of homes in Westdene still have the old rewireable fuse boxes, the kind where you replace a bit of wire when something blows. We replace them and leave everything labelled, tested certified, and signed off properly.
Back to top4) Why Homeowners in Westdene Use Us
A hundred five-star Google reviews helps. Being NAPIT registered helps. But the thing people mention most when they first get in touch is that they managed to actually speak to someone.
I pick up the phone. If I'm mid-job and can't answer, I call back the same day. I send a reminder before every appointment because I know people have things to do and don't want to sit in waiting. If something changes on my end I'll let you know — I won't just not show up. None of that should be remarkable, but apparently it is.
Back to top5) Common Problems I Find in These Houses
Old consumer units — Rewireable fuse boards from the 60s and 70s are still in use in a fair number of properties here. No RCD protection, and insurers are increasingly asking questions about them.
Not enough sockets — The original layouts weren't designed for a household running multiple TVs, laptops, and phone chargers simultaneously. People end up with extension leads everywhere. That's a fire risk, not just an inconvenience. We add sockets properly.
Faults and dodgy workmanship- Tripping breakers, lights that flicker, sockets that just don't work. Sometimes it's minor. Sometimes it's pointing at something more serious. Either way I'll tell you what I think rather than just fixing the symptom.
Back to top6) What Happens When You Call
I'll ask a few questions to get a gauge of what needs doing and if needed we will arrange a site visit to come out and have a look at the job. We will then send over a written quote with no obligations. If you want to proceed with the work then we will get you booked in at the earliest availability.
Back to top7) FAQs
How much does an EV charger cost in Westdene?
Prices start around £1,100 + VAT, but this depends on your electrical installation. Things such as how far the run is from your consumer unit, whether the board needs upgrading first, which charger you go with. I will always give you a proper figure once I carry out a survey.
Are you NAPIT registered?
Yes we have been registered with NAPIT since 2023. It means I can self-certify the work, so you'll get the certificates you need for any building regs compliance.
Do I need an EICR?
Landlords need one every five years, or when a new tenancy starts. If you're buying an older property, increasingly yes — lenders and solicitors are asking for them. For a typical semi or bungalow in Westdene, it usually takes two to four hours.
What areas do you cover?
We cover all of Brighton & Hove which includes areas such as Patcham, Westdene, Hollingbury, Elm Grove, Hanover, Woodingdean etc. But check out what areas we cover here
How quickly can you get out?
I'm not an emergency service. For standard work, usually within a week or two. If something's tripping repeatedly or you've got a fault that feels urgent, mention it I'll try to make it work sooner.
Do you quote before you start?
Always, in writing. If I find something unexpected once the job's underway, I stop, explain what I've found, and we agree on a revised price before I carry on. I won't just crack on and tell you afterwards.
My house is 1960s — does the wiring need replacing?
Not automatically. A lot of it is still serviceable. But some of it isn't, and without an EICR you won't know which you've got. I'd rather give you an honest answer than a reason to spend money you don't need to.
Back to top8) Get in Touch
If you want an honest conversation about your electrical needs give me a call. Whether it's an EV charger, a fuseboard upgrade, or something that's been bugging you for a while and you're not sure if it's worth worrying about, I'm happy to talk it through.
Back to top