Best when something in a home keeps tripping, one point has gone dead, or the same fault keeps coming back without a clear reason. The aim is to diagnose the real cause properly, then explain the simplest sensible next step before anyone starts swapping parts by guesswork.
Diagnosis before parts • Clear next step • David checks first
Safety boundary: if there is heat, burning smell, sparking, visible damage, scorch marks or a breaker that will not stay on, stop using the affected point and use the emergency electrician page or call or text first. Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips again, and do not take photos if that puts you near something hot, damaged or unsafe.
These are the common fault patterns where diagnosis-first usually makes more sense than replacing random parts.
Quick fit check: use this page for trips, dead points, intermittent power or repeat failures that need testing first. Use electrical repairs for one contained fan, spur, pull cord or local point that already looks repairable.
Credentials, cover, pricing, coverage and recent work are collected here before you send details.
Booking essentials
Credentials, cover, postcode guidance and recent work photos are collected here before you send details.
Credentials and cover
City & Guilds and wiring-regulations details are on the about page , with certificate verification . Public liability cover is linked directly as an insurance certificate PDF .
Pricing and booking
Relevant work is checked and explained clearly, with broader notes on pricing and compliance .
Postcode fit
Use the areas page for postcode guidance, then send postcode + photos for the clearest first answer.
Recent work photos
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Reviews
This is the normal first step when the cause is unclear: diagnosis first, small safe repairs where appropriate, and a clear explanation of what was found.
It starts with symptoms and photos, moves into focused testing on site, then finishes with repair in scope or a clear explanation of the wider next step.
These are typical examples of how a focused diagnostic visit usually runs, so you can see the logic before booking.
Typical repeat-trip visit
Typical dead-point diagnosis
Fault finding usually starts on the normal £100 first visit rather than a separate fixed fee. A £50 call-out is only the narrow Brent/core-area exception for very local, simple, low-risk work that already looks clear from the photos, which is less common on diagnosis-first faults. If the issue turns out to be a local repair and the scope is clear, I keep it on the simplest sensible path and follow-on small-job time stays at £50 per hour . If it needs urgent attention, a written quote, certification, notification or registered electrical delivery, I explain the safest next step before anything expands. Compare electrical repairs , emergency electrician and pricing and booking .
Often, yes for first triage. A postcode, a short note and 2–4 clear photos are usually enough for me to say whether it looks like diagnosis-first fault finding, a local repair or an urgent call-or-text-first issue. Final diagnosis still needs testing on site.
Not repeatedly. If it will not stay on, or there is heat, smell or visible damage, stop and use the emergency electrician page or call or text first so the safest next step and availability can be checked.
Many local accessory or fitting faults do. If testing shows a wider issue, I explain the next step clearly before anything broadens.
No. Fault finding usually starts on the normal £100 first visit rather than a separate fixed fee. A £50 call-out is only the narrow Brent/core-area exception for very local simple jobs where the scope already looks clear from the photos. If the work stays within follow-on small-job time once the diagnosis is clear, time is then charged at £50 per hour.
Yes, where the issue is local power, switching, accessory wiring or setup behaviour around the device. If the problem is broader than the electrical point itself, I explain that as part of the diagnosis.
I explain whether the next step now needs registered electrical delivery. If it also needs the Part P registered partner electrician, notification or certification, I explain who handles that part and what paperwork belongs to the job before work goes ahead.
Send your postcode, a short symptom note and a few clear photos if they are safe to take. I’ll tell you whether it looks like focused fault finding, a local repair or an urgent call-or-text-first issue.
