Electrician in Reading (65)

Emergency electricians charge an average hourly rate of £90. You can expect to pay between £80 - £100 an hour, plus the cost of any replacement parts needed.

Emergency electrician costs are determined by the following:

• Type of repair work needed

• Replacement parts

• Time needed to fix the issue

• Your location - labour costs vary throughout the UK

Read our electrician cost guide for a closer look at average call out fees, hourly rates and repair costs.

Due to the out-of-hours service they provide, it costs significantly more per hour to hire an emergency electrician. It may be more budget friendly to hire a standard electrician but waiting to deal with an electrical emergency until the morning can be dangerous.

Electrical emergencies must be dealt with by a qualified professional. Follow these simple steps to make sure you are hiring a reputable emergency electrician service in Reading:

• Ask local friends and family for electrician recommendations. Check any recommended tradespeople work to a high quality standard by searching for them in the Checkatrade directory
• Do some research before hiring. Read genuine customer reviews and check company ratings
• Request quotes for your job from multiple electricians near you
• Ask about qualifications and experience
• Make sure the electrician is insured and ideally registered with a Competent Person Scheme
• Read our detailed hiring guide for more advice on how to find a good local electrician
• Search the Checkatrade directory to find checked and guaranteed emergency electrician services available in your area

All Checkatrade electricians work to a high quality standard. Alongside vetting our tradespeople, we also guarantee their work up to £1000* for 12 months - eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.

Search our directory or Post a Job to find an emergency electrician in Reading.

There are several ways to find electricians working in Reading. After all, it’s important to hire an electrician committed to quality.

Some of the most effective ways to find the electricians working in your area include:

• Use our online tradesperson search and browse electricians covering your area

• Check their online reviews on their Checkatrade profile and other third-party websites, such as Google Reviews

• Check their qualifications and accreditations using online registers

• Ask for references from previous customers for you to contact and get honest feedback

Get more tips and advice in our guide to finding an electrician near you.

How do I find a qualified electrician near me?

Finding an electrician who’s qualified for your job in Reading is simpler than it sounds when you know what to look for. Start by searching for electricians using platforms like Checkatrade. Our electricians have passed up to 12 checks before being listed, including qualifications, insurance, and ID verification, so you know you're not starting from scratch.

Look out for qualifications such as NVQ Level 3 Diplomas, City & Guilds Level 3, or AM2 assessments. These are considered industry standards. Many electricians will also be registered with government-approved schemes like NICEIC or be listed on the Competent Person Register. You can check their credentials using official websites like NICEIC or Electrical Competent Person Register.

Lastly, compare reviews. Checkatrade electricians are rated on workmanship, reliability, tidiness, and courtesy. It’s also smart to contact more than one electrician covering your local area, so you can compare quotes and ask them questions before making your choice. Finding an electrician who ticks all the boxes will make the job go a lot smoother.

Look for electricians who are checked and reviewed, have relevant qualifications (like City & Guilds Level 3 or NVQ Level 3), and are members of schemes like NICEIC or the Competent Person Register. Ask for references, check their insurance, and compare quotes.

An important part of choosing the right electrician is finding a tradesperson with the right qualifications.

For electricians in the UK, you’ll want to look out for the following essential qualifications:

• City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (the industry-standard qualification for electricians)

• NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation (an equivalent qualification to the City & Guilds Level 3)

• AM2 Assessment (a practical assessment that demonstrates competence in electrical installation work)

There are also some additional qualifications and accreditations that reputable electricians may also have:

• 18th Edition Wiring Regulations

• Part P Certification

• ECA (Electrical Contractors' Association) or NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) membership

Whichever qualifications an electrician has, ask for evidence of their credentials or check their details using online registers.

One of the easiest ways to check if an electrician is qualified in the UK is to ask for their National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) ID card.

The NICEIC is a national organisation that regulates electricians in the UK to ensure a competent level of training and qualifications.

You can also check if an electrician is registered by using the NICEIC ‘find a contractor’ tool.

Being qualified through NICEIC means the electrician will have completed a series of assessments that will have covered a sample of their work, their premises, documentation, and equipment.

Check the Competent Person Register

The Electrical Competent Person Scheme is another online search tool that lets you check if an electrician is registered on their scheme.

Anyone on this register will have been authorised by the Government to self-certify that their work is compliant with Building Regulations.

As part of this scheme, electricians have to meet strict entry requirements and will have their work regularly assessed to ensure that they maintain a high level of professional competence and meet the correct standards.

Reasons to hire a qualified electrician

When dealing with electrical work, here’s why you should always hire a qualified electrician in Reading:

• A qualified electrician is highly skilled in dealing with electrical systems and appliances to ensure any work is carried out to a high standard

• It’s a legal obligation for some electrical work to comply with BS7671 wiring regulations and Part P of Building Regulations, which a qualified electrician can do

• Formally qualified electricians know the best way to deal with electrical issues, which can save you time, money and hassle

• It gives you peace of mind knowing that a qualified professional is carrying out the electrical work

• Qualifications and accreditations are a sign that an electrician is dedicated to their trade and will have the appropriate level of knowledge to correctly carry out the work

Unsure about an electrician's credibility?

If you have doubts about the credibility of any electrician that you’re dealing with, don’t be afraid to take extra steps to ensure that they are indeed qualified and fit to do the job.

You should never take chances when it comes to dealing with electrical work for your home.

If they still can’t reassure you of their experience and abilities, move on and find an electrician who can.

For more tips and advice, check out our guide to finding a good local electrician.

As with most tradespeople who you hire to carry out work in your home, it’s important to choose an electrician with the right insurance.

By having appropriate insurance, the electrician is covered and you are protected in the event of an accident or injury.

The two most important types of insurance to check that your electrician has are:

• Public liability insurance – This protects the electrician and their business from claims if someone is injured or their property is damaged while they’re working
• Employers liability insurance – If the electrician employs workers, they are legally required to have insurance that covers them as an employer

There are also additional types of insurance that responsible electricians might also have. They include:

• Tools and equipment insurance (in case of theft or damage)
• Van insurance
• Professional indemnity insurance (for design or advisory services)
• Personal accident and income protection

Whenever speaking to electricians, always ask them about their insurance and get them to provide proof of their coverage.

Making changes to your home’s electrical system requires expert knowledge and experience to carry out any work safely and efficiently.

We always recommend hiring an experienced electrician in Reading to do any electrical jobs in your home.

Your safety comes first

Electrical products should always be installed in line with local Building Regulations, to ensure that you and your home are not exposed to unnecessary safety risks.

By hiring a qualified electrician you can be confident that they will carry out their work to a high standard and in line with all current legislation and regulations.

Part P of Building Regulations 2010 dictates that all work that involves adding a new circuit or carrying out any electrical work in kitchens and bathrooms must either:

• Notify Building Control with a building regulation application, or

• Be carried out by a registered Competent Person

So, when choosing an electrician, check they’re registered as part of the Part P self-certification scheme before hiring them.

How much does adding a plug socket cost?

The average cost of adding a single plug socket to a room is around £125, depending on the condition of your electrical system, the complexity of the installation, and the individual electrician.

For a double socket, the cost is about £200, and if you want to add an outdoor socket then the average price is in the region of £110.

If you want to move a plug socket, rather than install a new one, the average electrician cost in Reading for the job is about £150.

Your fuse box is the main electrical component that distributes electricity and protects the electrical circuits in your home.

However, sometimes fuse boxes have issues and it’s important to spot any tell-tale signs as early as possible.

To help you identify potential problems, here are some of the common signs that you may have a faulty fuse box:

• The fuse box keeps tripping
• You notice a burning smell
• Fuses frequently blow
• Your fuse box is warm to the touch
• You can hear unusual crackling or popping noises coming from the fuse box
• The lights in your home are flickering lights or dimming on their own
• You get a slight shock when touching plugs or using electrical appliances in your home
• There are noticeable burn marks on the fuse box itself

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to get the help of a qualified electrician. When it comes to the safety of you and your home, don’t wait.

Find out about other electrical issues in our guide to common electrical faults in UK homes.

As a general rule, you should have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out every 5-10 years.

However, if you notice any signs of electrical issues or unusual electrical behaviour in your home, get your wiring checked immediately.

Benefits of an EICR

Here are some of the reasons why it’s a good idea to have your electrical wiring checked regularly:

• Keep you and your home safe and identify any potential electrical hazards
• It’s a requirement for many home insurers to ensure your insurance is valid
• Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your electrical system is safe
• Potentially boost your property value by having well-maintained electrics
• Avoid expensive issues by identifying potential electrical problems early
• Comply with Building Regulations and current electrical safety standards

If you think it’s time you had your wiring checked, check out our tips on how to find the best EICR specialists near you.

How much does an electrical safety check cost?

The average cost for an EICR for residential properties is around £100 - £250.

Not sure what an electrical safety check covers? Why not read our comprehensive guide to see what an electrician will include in their report.

Yes. Flickering lights could be a sign of a loose connection or overloaded circuit. It’s best to get a qualified electrician to check it out before it turns into a bigger issue.

Always hire a professional for:

• Rewiring
• Fuse box installations
• Shower or cooker installation
• Electrical fault finding in Sheffield homes
• New circuits in kitchens or bathrooms