A diagnostic visit is the diagnosis-first fault-finding visit. It starts with the symptom, what still
works, and any safe photos you sent first. On site, the aim is to narrow the fault down in a safe order,
avoid blind part-swapping, and leave you with either a local repair in scope or a clear next step if the
issue is wider.
This is a standard fault-finding visit, not an emergency call-out. If there is heat, a burning smell,
visible damage or a breaker that will not stay on, go straight to the
emergency electrician page
. Standard diagnostic visits follow the
small-job pricing
, and anything wider is explained before work expands.
What happens here
-
Review the symptom pattern, what still works, and any recent change that lines up with the fault.
- Carry out relevant checks in a safe order around the affected point or circuit.
-
Explain whether the fault stays local enough for a repair in scope or needs wider testing or a quoted
next step.
What can change the visit
-
If there is heat, a burning smell, visible damage, or a breaker that will not stay on, it steps up to
emergency help rather than a routine diagnostic visit.
-
Access limits, repeated trips, more than one affected area, or wider board issues can change the visit
outcome and next step.
Official sources and further guidance