Electrical Installations
Socket & Switch Installation in Surrey & London
Socket and switch installation means adding new sockets, USB sockets, outdoor sockets, light switches or dimmers. A single extra socket often takes an hour or two, and several across a room may take most of a day. Additions to an existing circuit get a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate; a new circuit gets an EIC.
Most homes were wired for far fewer devices than we use now. Adding sockets where you actually need them, in the kitchen, behind the TV, beside the bed or in a home office, means no more trailing extension leads.
Joe installs standard sockets, USB sockets, outdoor weatherproof sockets, light switches, two-way switching and dimmers, matching the finish to the rest of the room where possible.
Typical work
- Additional double sockets in kitchens, living rooms and home offices
- USB charging sockets
- Outdoor sockets for garden tools, lighting or hot tubs
- New light switches, dimmers and two-way switching on stairs and landings
- Sockets and switches for extensions and loft conversions
What the job involves
Most new sockets are extensions from an existing ring or radial circuit. Before adding one, the circuit is checked to make sure it can take the extra load and is in good condition, because extending a faulty circuit spreads the problem. Where a kitchen, home office or garden building needs more than an existing circuit can sensibly supply, a new dedicated circuit is the better route.
Cables are run in the permitted zones within walls, or in surface trunking where chasing would cause too much damage, and every new point is tested before it goes into use.
Choosing the right fittings
- USB-A and USB-C sockets for charging phones and tablets
- Outdoor sockets with weatherproof covers and RCD protection
- Dimmer switches matched to the type and load of your lamps, especially LEDs
- Two-way and intermediate switching for stairs, landings and long rooms
- Finishes such as white plastic, brushed steel or black nickel to suit the room
LED lamps often flicker or buzz on old dimmers, so a dimmer is chosen to suit the bulbs you actually use.
What affects the cost
The number of new points, how far the cable has to run and how it gets there make the biggest difference. Running cable through a suspended floor or a loft is quicker than chasing solid walls. The type of fitting matters too, and so does whether the existing circuit can take more load or a new circuit is needed. If you are also moving existing points, see socket and switch relocation.
Certificates and regulations
New sockets and switches are installed to BS 7671. Adding to an existing circuit is usually not notifiable to building control, unless it is within certain zones of a bathroom, and it is recorded on a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate. A new circuit is notifiable in England and is certified with an Electrical Installation Certificate.
Where we do this work
Socket & Switch Installation from our base in Redhill, anywhere in Surrey including Redhill, Reigate, Merstham, Nutfield, Bletchingley and the surrounding towns, plus London and nearby counties. Larger commercial jobs further afield are welcome by enquiry. See all areas covered.
Common questions
Can you add a socket without redecorating?
Often, yes. Where cables can run through a floor void, a loft or surface trunking the disruption is small, but chasing a solid wall will need filling and repainting afterwards.
Can you fit USB sockets?
Yes. A USB socket usually replaces a standard double socket in the same back box, so it is a straightforward swap in most cases.
Can an extra socket go on an existing circuit?
Usually, as long as the circuit is in good condition and not already heavily loaded. Kitchens and rooms with high-power appliances sometimes need a new circuit instead.
Do outdoor sockets need special protection?
Yes. An outdoor socket needs a weatherproof enclosure and RCD protection, and the cable route outside has to be protected from damage.
Why do my LED lights flicker on a dimmer?
Many older dimmers were designed for filament bulbs and do not work well with LED lamps at low loads. Fitting a dimmer made for LEDs, and using dimmable bulbs, usually cures it.
Do I get a certificate for new sockets?
Yes. Additions to an existing circuit are recorded on a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate, and a new circuit gets an Electrical Installation Certificate.
Ready to talk about your electrical work?
Tell Joe what you need and where you are, and he will come back to you with a clear quote. Call, send a WhatsApp message, or use the quote form.