Electrician FAQs Surrey | Consumer Units, EICR, Rewires & More | Brad Neil Electrical

Question 1

Are you NICEIC registered?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Brad Neil Electrical is a NICEIC registered Domestic Installer. This means all our work is independently assessed and certified to the highest standards. You can verify our registration on the NICEIC website.

Question 2

What areas do you cover?

Accepted Answer

We cover Surrey and South West London including Long Ditton, Kingston, Walton-on-Thames, Addlestone, Knaphill, Bisley, Woking, Weybridge, Esher, Cobham, Chertsey and Surbiton. Not sure if we cover your area? Just give us a call.

Question 3

Do you only work on domestic properties?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we specialise in domestic (residential) electrical work. This includes houses, flats, apartments and new builds.

Question 4

How do I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

Call us on 07415 834215 or email bnbs@icloud.com. For larger jobs we will arrange a free site visit to assess the work before providing a written quote.

Question 5

How do I know if I need a new consumer unit?

Accepted Answer

Signs include: old rewireable fuses instead of MCBs, no RCD protection, the board is over 25 years old, or your EICR has flagged it as requiring replacement.

Question 6

How long does a consumer unit replacement take?

Accepted Answer

Most replacements take half a day to a full day. The power will need to be off during the work — usually 4–8 hours.

Question 7

Will I get a certificate after a consumer unit replacement?

Accepted Answer

Yes — all consumer unit replacements come with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) as required by Part P of the Building Regulations.

Question 8

Does a new consumer unit need to be notified to the council?

Accepted Answer

Yes — consumer unit replacements are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. We handle this notification for you as part of the job.

Question 9

What is an EICR?

Accepted Answer

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection and test of your property's electrical installation. It identifies any defects, damage or non-compliance with current standards.

Question 10

How often do I need an EICR?

Accepted Answer

Rented properties: every 5 years (legal requirement). Owner-occupied homes: every 10 years or when buying/selling. We recommend one if you have moved into an older property.

Question 11

What do the EICR codes mean?

Accepted Answer

C1 = Danger present, immediate action required. C2 = Potentially dangerous, urgent remedial action needed. C3 = Improvement recommended (does not fail the report). FI = Further investigation required.

Question 12

Can you carry out remedial work after an EICR?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if the EICR identifies issues, we will provide a separate quote for any remedial work required to bring the installation up to standard.

Question 13

How do I know if my house needs rewiring?

Accepted Answer

Signs include: rubber or fabric-insulated wiring, round-pin sockets, old-style light switches, a failed EICR, or wiring that has not been updated in over 30 years.

Question 14

How long does a full rewire take?

Accepted Answer

A typical 3-bedroom house takes 5–7 days. We will give you a more accurate timescale after assessing the property.

Question 15

Do I need to move out during a rewire?

Accepted Answer

It is usually more practical to vacate during the first fix stage (chasing and cabling). We will discuss this with you before work begins.

Question 16

Is a rewire covered by home insurance?

Accepted Answer

Some home insurance policies cover rewiring if it is required due to damage or a specific event. Check your policy — we can provide documentation to support a claim if needed.

Question 17

What should I do if my RCD keeps tripping?

Accepted Answer

Try unplugging appliances one by one to identify the culprit. If it keeps tripping with nothing plugged in, there may be a wiring fault — call us for a diagnosis.

Question 18

Is it safe to use a socket that has scorch marks?

Accepted Answer

No — switch it off at the consumer unit and do not use it until it has been inspected. Scorch marks indicate overheating which is a fire risk.

Question 19

How many things can I plug into one socket?

Accepted Answer

As a rule of thumb, do not exceed 3,000W on a single socket. Avoid daisy-chaining extension leads — if you need more sockets, have them properly installed.

Question 20

Do I need a carbon monoxide alarm?

Accepted Answer

CO alarms are legally required in rooms with solid fuel appliances (wood burners, open fires). They are also strongly recommended near gas boilers and in sleeping areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

General

Consumer Units

EICR

Rewires

Safety

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