Tom Fletcher
Tom researches and writes guides for Top Rated Electricians, turning prices, rules and official guidance into plain advice for homeowners. He bakes far more sourdough than the family can eat.
Articles by Tom Fletcher
Smart Switches and Lighting and When You Need an Electrician
Smart bulbs plug in, but smart switches and dimmers are wired in. Learn the difference, when you need an electrician, what the rules say about notifiable work, typical 2026 costs and what to check.
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Planning the Electrics for a Kitchen Refit
Plan the electrics before the units arrive. See what a kitchen refit typically needs, when new circuits are notifiable, how first and second fix fit around the fitters and what it can cost.
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What New Electricity Connections Cost and How Long They Take
A new supply connection is quoted by your network operator, not your electrician. See the process, one operator's published prices and timings, what a quote covers and Ofgem quote times.
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How Much Does an Electrician Charge to Change a Light Fitting?
A like-for-like light fitting swap typically costs £50 to £200 in labour. See what moves the price, what is extra, when a bathroom or new wiring makes it a bigger job and what to ask for on the quote.
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Arc Fault Detection Devices and Whether Your Home Needs Them
An AFDD detects dangerous arcing that ordinary breakers miss. See what it does, why it is a recommendation rather than a rule for most homes, what it typically costs and what to ask on a quote.
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How Much Does It Cost to Add Extra Plug Sockets?
What it typically costs in 2026 to add a plug socket, swap a single for a double or fit a USB socket, what pushes the price up, when the consumer unit matters and what paperwork to expect.
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Emergency Lighting Rules and Testing for Businesses and Landlords
Who has to provide emergency lighting, when shops, offices, HMOs and blocks of flats need it, maintained and non maintained systems explained, and how often it should be tested.
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How to Hire a Commercial Electrician for Your Business
What a commercial electrician does, the legal duties a business has for its electrics, fixed wire testing and commercial EICR costs in 2026, and how to check who you are hiring.
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How Much Does It Cost to Fit an Outdoor Socket?
What an outdoor socket typically costs to fit in the UK, why some jobs cost more, the safety rules it must meet and which certificate you should get.
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Running Power to a Shed or Garden Office and What It Costs
What getting electricity to a shed, garage or garden office involves, the rules that apply, typical UK costs and what to ask an electrician before work starts.
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Why Are Your Lights Flickering and Should You Worry?
The common reasons lights flicker, how to tell a bulb or dimmer problem from a wiring or supply fault, and when to call an electrician or the network operator.
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