Looking for a Switch and Socket Swap Electrician?

1) Switch and Socket Swaps in Brighton & Hove

It's surprising how much difference new switches and sockets can make to a room. A lot of people spend thousands decorating or fitting a new kitchen, but the old yellowing plastic switches are still there on the walls. Swapping them for something newer is a fairly small job, but it can really finish the room off.

However not every switch and socket swap is for cosmetic reasons

Last December I was called out to a home in Elm grove to replace some sockets that had actually started melting. The customer had been using portable heaters plugged into the same double socket for long periods, and eventually the faceplates couldn't cope with the heat. Before replacing the socket with something new, I took the sockets off and checked the wiring behind them. Thankfully the wiring had not been affected, so once I'd confirmed everything was safe, I fitted the new sockets, tested the circuit and got everything back up and running.

That's why I never assume a switch or socket swap is just a five-minute job. It's always worth seeing what's going on behind the faceplate first.

2) More than just changing a faceplate

I probably replace at least one switch or socket every week somewhere around Brighton & Hove. Sometimes it's because something has been damaged, other times people are simply updating their home.

I was over in Patcham recently where a customer had just finished decorating. The walls looked great but the old white plastic switches suddenly stood out for all the wrong reasons. We swapped them over for polished chrome versions and it really made the room look much cleaner.

Jobs like that are usually straightforward, although every now and then you uncover something unexpected.

A good example was a house on Ditchling Road where the customer wanted dimmer switches fitted in all the bedrooms. On paper it sounded simple enough. Once I removed the old switches though, it became obvious the existing back boxes were too shallow. Most dimmer switches are much deeper than a standard light switch, so there simply wasn't enough room behind the wall.

The only proper way of doing it was to remove the old back boxes, carefully chase the wall back a little further and fit deeper ones before installing the new dimmers. It's one of those things you don't know until the old switch comes off.

3) Things I come across quite often

After ten years working as an electrician, you start to notice the same problems appearing again and again.

Burnt sockets are probably one of the most common. Sometimes it's down to a loose connection that's been heating up over time. Other times it's because high-powered appliances like electric heaters have been left running from the same socket for hours on end.

Corroded back boxes are another one, especially in older properties where damp has found its way into the walls. If the corrosion is bad enough, I'll replace the back box before fitting the new accessory so everything is solid and secure.

Decorative metal switches can catch people out as well. They look great, but they need a proper earth connection. Every so often I'll remove an old plastic switch only to find there isn't an earth available. In those situations I'll explain the options rather than simply fitting something that isn't safe.

LED lighting can be another headache with dimmer switches. Not every dimmer works with every LED lamp, which is why some lights flicker or buzz after they've been changed. Choosing the right dimmer usually solves the problem.

4) Why people ask me to do the work

When you contact Oval Electrical, you'll deal with me from start to finish. I don't have an office passing jobs around or different electricians turning up each day. The person you speak to is the person who'll be carrying out the work.

I'm NAPIT Registered and every job is tested before I leave. If certification is required, I'll provide it, and all of my work is backed by a 12-month workmanship guarantee.

Over the years I've built up more than 100 five-star Google reviews, and I think that's largely because I keep things simple. I'll turn up when I say I will, explain anything I've found in plain English and let you know the cost before any extra work is carried out.

5) The products I normally fit

For standard white plastic switches and sockets I tend to use Click or MK. I've fitted both brands for years and they've always been reliable.

If you've already bought decorative accessories yourself, that's absolutely fine too. I'm happy to fit customer-supplied switches and sockets as long as they're suitable for your existing wiring.

Every installation is tested before I leave to make sure everything is working exactly as it should.

6) How much does it cost?

Most switch and socket replacements start from £70 + VAT.

The final price depends on how many accessories you're changing and whether anything unexpected turns up once they're removed. For example, replacing a damaged back box or making space for a deeper dimmer switch obviously takes longer than a straight swap.

If I think additional work is needed, I'll always explain why before I pick up a tool. There won't be any surprise extras added to the bill afterwards.

7) What happens next?

Getting booked in is straightforward. Give me a call or send me a message through the contact form and let me know what you're looking to have done.

For some jobs I can provide a quotation straight away. Others are easier to price after a quick look, particularly if decorative switches, dimmers or older wiring are involved.

Once you're happy with the quote, we'll arrange a day that suits you. I'll carry out the work as neatly as I can, test everything before I leave and make sure you're happy with the finished result.

If you've been searching for an electrician in Brighton to replace damaged sockets, fit new dimmer switches or give your home a more modern look, I'd be happy to help. get in touch for a no-obligation quote and I'll talk you through the options.