Rob Mackenzie
Researcher

Rob Mackenzie

Rob writes for Top Rated Electricians, with a focus on helping homeowners compare quotes and ask the right questions. Away from the desk, he is a regular at the local parkrun.

Articles by Rob Mackenzie

Illustration of an envelope, a clipboard, a camera and a loose socket faceplate on a desk.
Hiring Tips

Poor Electrical Work and How to Complain About an Electrician

Unhappy with an electrician's work? Follow the order: raise it in writing, use the scheme complaints route, know what schemes cannot do, then Citizens Advice, ADR or the small claims court.

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Illustration of a wall mounted TV with a neat cable cover running to a wall socket.
Planning

Hiding TV Cables in the Wall and What the Electrical Rules Allow

A wall mounted TV looks tidy when the cables are hidden, but mains power cables need care. Learn what is allowed, what needs an electrician, typical 2026 costs and the simple cable cover alternative.

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Illustration of an empty folder, a magnifying glass and a telephone on a desk.
Hiring Tips

What to Do If Your Electrician Never Gave You a Certificate

No certificate after electrical work is common and fixable. See who to ask, how long to wait, what to do if the electrician was not registered, what an inspection costs and who to complain to.

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Illustration of a terraced street with a charging post and a channel set in the pavement.
Planning

Can You Get a Home EV Charger Without a Driveway?

No driveway need not rule out home charging. See what cross pavement channels are, the October 2026 planning change in England, who decides, what the grant covers and why trailing a cable is risky.

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Illustration of a folder of certificates, a clipboard and a house key on a table.
Planning

What Electrical Certificates Do You Need to Sell a House?

You do not need an EICR to sell, but missing certificates for notifiable work can make a sale harder. See which documents buyers ask for, how to replace lost ones and when a check is worth doing.

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Illustration of a scorched wall socket next to a black CO2 extinguisher and a red water extinguisher.
Safety

Which Fire Extinguisher Should You Use on an Electrical Fire?

Never use water on an electrical fire. Learn which extinguishers fire services say are suitable, why CO2 is the usual choice, when to just get out and call 999, and what to do afterwards.

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Illustration of a hot water cylinder with an immersion heater switch
Cost Guides

Immersion Heater Not Working and What a Repair Costs

Why an immersion heater stops heating your water, which faults an electrician can fix, what a new element or thermostat typically costs in 2026 and when a new cylinder makes more sense.

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Illustration of a scorched wall socket with an extension lead below
Safety

Fishy or Burning Smell in Your House and When It Is Electrical

Why overheating sockets and wiring can smell of fish or burning plastic, what to do straight away, how to tell it apart from a gas smell and what an electrician will check.

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Illustration of an electric shower unit in a tiled shower enclosure
Cost Guides

Electric Shower Installation Cost and What Affects It

What it typically costs to replace or newly fit an electric shower in the UK, why a more powerful shower can mean new cable, and the rules for bathroom electrics.

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Illustration of a clipboard with a checklist and tick marks
Safety

What Is an EICR Certificate and Who Needs One?

What an EICR covers, who legally needs one, how often, what the codes mean and what it typically costs in the UK.

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Illustration of a wall mounted car charger on the side of a house
Planning

Electric Car Charger Installation at Home Explained

What home EV charger installation involves, typical UK costs, the grant for renters and flat owners, and the rules your installer must follow.

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Illustration of a small electrician's van parked outside a row of houses
Hiring Tips

How to Choose a Local Electrician You Can Trust

How to check an electrician is registered, what certificates to expect, what to ask before work starts and how to compare quotes.

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