What to Expect When an Electrician Visits Your Home
How an electrician visit usually runs, from arrival and isolating power to testing, certificates and payment, with tips to prepare your home and avoid delays.
If you have never had electrical work done, it helps to know how the day tends to unfold. Knowing the rhythm lets you plan around power cuts, keep the area clear and spot when something is not right. Most jobs follow the same broad sequence, whether it is a new socket or a larger project.
Before the electrician arrives
A little preparation saves time, which can save money on hourly rates.
- Clear a path to the consumer unit, meter and the area where work will happen.
- Move furniture, rugs and ornaments away from walls where cables will run.
- Secure pets and tell children which rooms to avoid.
- Note which circuits or rooms have been misbehaving, and when.
- Charge phones, laptops and torches, because you will lose power for a while.
- Confirm parking and any building access rules if you live in a flat.
Having a list of what you want done in order of priority also helps if time runs short.
On arrival
A professional electrician will typically:
- Introduce themselves and confirm the job and price agreed.
- Walk through the work area with you.
- Ask about any known problems, such as tripping or flickering.
- Explain which parts of the home will lose power and for how long.
- Isolate the relevant circuit or the whole supply at the consumer unit, and prove it dead using test equipment before touching anything.
Do not be alarmed by the testing. Proving circuits are dead before work begins is standard safe practice.
During the work
You may notice the electrician checking existing wiring before adding to it, labelling circuits or taking photographs for their records. If they discover something unexpected, such as old cable, a missing earth connection or hidden damage, they should stop and tell you, explain what it means and agree any changes in writing before continuing.
It is fine to ask questions, but try to avoid long conversations at critical moments. Keep children and pets out of the way and avoid using extension leads to feed equipment during work.
Testing and certification
For anything beyond basic like-for-like replacement, the electrician should test the circuits they have worked on and complete the relevant paperwork. This may be:
- A minor electrical installation works certificate for small additions or alterations.
- An electrical installation certificate for new circuits, consumer units or rewires.
Ask for a copy and keep it with your house records. It can be important for insurance, a sale or a landlord's file. For more about what each document is for, see what an EICR covers.
Tidying up and handover
Expect a basic tidy of the work area, though making good plaster and decoration is often separate unless agreed. Before they leave:
- Ask them to show you what was done and how to use any new controls.
- Test the sockets and lights yourself.
- Check that you know where the new circuit switches are labelled.
- Ask when you will receive the certificate and any scheme notification.
- Confirm the final price against the quote.
Payment and afterwards
Agree how payment will be made, and keep a receipt or invoice. If you booked through a platform, follow its payment flow so there is a record. If something seems wrong afterwards, such as a socket that does not work or a persistent trip, contact the electrician promptly. Help explains what to do if you need support with a booking.
A worked example
You have booked an electrician for a morning to add two sockets and replace a failing outdoor light. Before they arrive, you clear access to the consumer unit and the work area and put pets in another room. They arrive, confirm the work and price, and explain that power will be off in the downstairs circuits for a couple of hours. During the work they find an old junction box hidden behind a wall and explain it needs tidying, quoting the extra cost for you to approve. They test everything, show you the new circuit labelling and agree to email the certificate. You pay as agreed and keep the paperwork. Most visits go like this when expectations are clear.
A handover checklist
- All new points work as intended.
- Switches and circuits are clearly labelled.
- You know where the consumer unit switches are.
- Rubbish and packaging are removed.
- Final price matches the agreement, or any changes were agreed beforehand.
- Certificate or confirmation is promised with a date.
- Contact details are exchanged for follow-up.
Common mistakes
- Not agreeing in advance how long power will be off.
- Not mentioning a known problem with a socket or circuit.
- Leaving valuable or fragile items on the cable route.
- Forgetting to ask for a certificate.
- Paying in full before seeing the work.
Edge cases
- Tenants: get the landlord's consent and tell them when access is needed.
- Flats: book lift or parking access where necessary.
- Working from home: plan your day around power cuts and back up your work.
- Medical equipment: tell the electrician in advance so they can plan the power-off period.
When to stop the work
If the electrician cannot explain what they are doing, is not testing, will not provide the certificate they said they would or leaves live parts exposed, ask them to pause. Bring in a registered electrician to check the work if you remain concerned.
Frequently asked questions
Should I be at home throughout?
You do not need to watch constantly, but someone should be present at the start and the end, and reachable during the job so questions can be answered.
Can I make tea for them or use appliances during the work?
You can be polite, but avoid running equipment on circuits being worked on. Ask which sockets are safe to use.
What if the job takes longer than expected?
Ask why, and agree any change in price before they continue. Fixed-price jobs should not change without a clear reason such as unexpected defects.
What should I do if something seems wrong after they leave?
Switch off the affected circuit at the consumer unit, note what is happening and contact the electrician promptly. If it is a safety issue, call a registered electrician straight away.