Emergency Electrician

Emergency Electrician in East Grinstead

County: West Sussex

An emergency electrician is a qualified tradesperson you call when you have an urgent electrical problem that needs immediate attention. Unlike routine electricians, emergency electricians are available outside of normal working hours — evenings, weekends, or even overnight — to respond quickly and safely. You might need one if there’s a sudden electrical fault causing power loss, frequent circuit breaker trips, sparking sockets, exposed wires, or any risk of electrical fire or shock. Electrical emergencies can pose serious safety hazards, so getting rapid professional help minimises danger and reduces potential damage.

Open full page →

⭐ Introduction

You might need one if there’s a sudden electrical fault causing power loss, frequent circuit breaker trips, sparking sockets, exposed wires, or any risk of electrical fire or shock. Electrical emergencies can pose serious safety hazards, so getting rapid professional help minimises danger and reduces potential damage.

🔧 What the job involves

When an emergency electrician arrives, they will:

Quickly assess the situation to identify the cause of the problem.
Isolate power where needed to make the work safe.
Repair or replace faulty wiring, sockets, switches, or circuit breakers.
Test the system to ensure everything is safe and working correctly.
Advise if further work or upgrades are needed to meet current safety standards.
Provide certification where required, especially if work involves fixed installations.

They work in compliance with UK regulations such as Part P of the Building Regulations, ensuring all repairs and installations meet safety standards. For certain jobs, a qualified electrician must be registered with a competent person scheme (like NICEIC or ELECSA).

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

Make an enquiry: Call or contact an emergency electrician’s service. Provide details about the issue and your location.
Initial advice: The operator or electrician may offer immediate safety tips, such as turning off the mains supply.
Arrange a visit: An emergency electrician typically aims to be with you quickly — often within a few hours depending on your location.
On-site survey: The electrician inspects the problem, diagnoses the fault, and explains what needs doing.
Agree a quote: You receive an estimate for the repair or replacement work, including labour and parts.
Carry out work: Once agreed, the electrician fixes the issue right away whenever possible.
Testing and certification: The electrician checks the repaired work, ensuring safety and compliance. If applicable, you receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or similar documentation.
Advice on aftercare and warranty: The electrician explains any guarantees and what to monitor after the repair.
Final payment and paperwork: You settle the invoice and keep all paperwork safe for future reference.

💷 Main costs to expect

Labour: Emergency call-out fees plus hourly rate (often higher outside normal hours).
Materials/parts: Replacement wiring, sockets, switches, consumer units, or circuit breakers.
Extras: Travel charges, overtime premiums, or disposal fees for old components.
Certification: Cost for electrical safety tests or reports if required.
Urgency premium: Additional fees for rapid or out-of-hours response.

Example breakdown for a typical emergency socket replacement:

Call-out fee: £80–£150
Labour (1–2 hours): £50–£70 per hour
Parts (socket + wiring): £15–£40
Certification (optional): £40–£70
Total approximate cost: £195–£370

📊 What affects the price

Accessibility: If wiring or components are hard to reach (e.g. behind walls), labour increases.
Complexity: Faults involving consumer units (fuse boxes) or extensive rewiring cost more.
Regulations/certification: Work required to meet Building Regulations Part P or needing a formal report adds to cost.
Remedial work: If the job reveals other faults that must be fixed immediately.
Location: Urban areas may be more expensive due to demand and travel times.
Timeline: Emergency, out-of-hours or weekend calls usually carry higher labour rates.

⏱ How long does it take?

Simple repairs (e.g. socket replacement): 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Consumer unit trip/fault repair: 1–3 hours depending on complexity.
Extensive rewiring or upgrade works: Several hours to a day or more.
Testing and certification: Usually around 30 minutes extra.

Times vary depending on the exact fault and ease of access, but emergency electricians aim to complete the work promptly to restore safety.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

It’s strongly advised not to attempt fixing electrical emergencies yourself. Electricity is dangerous and can cause serious injury or fire if handled incorrectly.

By law, electrical work affecting fixed installations must comply with Building Regulations (Part P), often requiring a certified electrician to perform or inspect the work. DIY efforts to fix faults can result in unsafe wiring or invalid insurance claims.

If you experience an emergency, the safest option is to isolate power (if you can do so safely) and immediately call a qualified emergency electrician.

💰 Typical UK price range

Emergency electrician call-outs for urgent repairs usually cost between £150 and £400 including labour, parts, and call-out fees. More complex or large-scale work will cost more.

Prices are estimates and include VAT at 20%. Always ask for a clear quote before work starts.

✅ Handy tips before you start

Turn off electricity at the consumer unit if safe to do so before the electrician arrives.
Have a clear description of the problem and when it started ready to help accurate diagnosis.
Keep your home address and contact details handy.
Once repaired, keep all certificates and receipts for your records and future home sales.
Regularly have your wiring inspected by a qualified electrician every 10 years or on property sale.
Register the electrician’s work with building control yourself if they don’t do it, to comply with Part P.
Take photos or notes before and after works for your own evidence.
Choose an electrician registered with a recognised scheme (e.g. NICEIC) to ensure quality and safety.

By taking these steps, you’ll be better prepared and can minimise the time your home is without power in an emergency. Safety always comes first.

Checkatrade Which? Trusted Traders TrustATrader MyBuilder Rated People

Other electricians projects in East Grinstead

Appliance Repair
Appliance Repair by a vetted local pro.
Bathroom TV Installation
Bathroom TV Installation by a vetted local pro.
Ceiling Fan Installation
Ceiling Fan Installation by a vetted local pro.
Chandelier Installation
Chandelier Installation by a vetted local pro.
Change a hard wired appliance point to a normal power socket
Change a hard wired appliance point to a normal power socket by a vetted local pro.
Connect a cooker or other appliance to an existing hard-wired power outlet
Connect a cooker or other appliance to an existing hard-wired power outlet by a vetted local pro.
Cooker Hood Repair
Cooker Hood Repair by a vetted local pro.
Diagnose and fix an electrical fault
Diagnose and fix an electrical fault by a vetted local pro.
Dimmer Switches Installation
Dimmer Switches Installation by a vetted local pro.
Disconnect a hard-wired cooker or other appliance
Disconnect a hard-wired cooker or other appliance by a vetted local pro.
Do one hour’s electrical work
Do one hour’s electrical work by a vetted local pro.
Drive Over Lights
Drive Over Lights by a vetted local pro.
EICR: Electrical Inspection Condition Report
EICR: Electrical Inspection Condition Report by a vetted local pro.
EPC Certificate
EPC Certificate by a vetted local pro.
Electric Blind
Electric Blind by a vetted local pro.
Electric Car Charger Installation
Electric Car Charger Installation by a vetted local pro.
Electric Fire Installation
Electric Fire Installation by a vetted local pro.
Electric Shower
Electric Shower by a vetted local pro.
Electrical Safety Check
Electrical Safety Check by a vetted local pro.
Electrical Wall Box
Electrical Wall Box by a vetted local pro.
Electrician Hourly Rate
Electrician Hourly Rate by a vetted local pro.
Ethernet and Phone Lines
Ethernet and Phone Lines by a vetted local pro.
Extend wiring for new light where there hasn’t been one before
Extend wiring for new light where there hasn’t been one before by a vetted local pro.
Fire Suppression System
Fire Suppression System by a vetted local pro.
Fit switched fused spur for boiler or other appliance
Fit switched fused spur for boiler or other appliance by a vetted local pro.
Fix a light or light switch which isn’t working properly
Fix a light or light switch which isn’t working properly by a vetted local pro.
Fix a socket which isn’t working
Fix a socket which isn’t working by a vetted local pro.
Fix a tripping fusebox
Fix a tripping fusebox by a vetted local pro.
Fix an electric heater
Fix an electric heater by a vetted local pro.
Fix an extractor fan
Fix an extractor fan by a vetted local pro.
Fix an intercom which isn’t working correctly
Fix an intercom which isn’t working correctly by a vetted local pro.
Fix or replace bathroom pull switch
Fix or replace bathroom pull switch by a vetted local pro.
Hive Installation
Hive Installation by a vetted local pro.
Home Cinema
Home Cinema by a vetted local pro.
Home Generator Installation
Home Generator Installation by a vetted local pro.
Home Lift
Home Lift by a vetted local pro.
Indoor Lights Decor
Indoor Lights Decor by a vetted local pro.
Install Hot Tub power
Running a Hot Tub by a vetted local pro.
Install Recessed Lighting
Installing Recessed Lighting by a vetted local pro.
Install Smart Garage Door Opener
Smart Garage Door Opener by a vetted local pro.
Install Smart Lighting
Smart Lighting by a vetted local pro.
Install Under-Cabinet Lighting
Installing Under-Cabinet Lighting by a vetted local pro.
Install a Smart Meter
Smart Meter by a vetted local pro.
Install a light (to existing wiring)
Install a light (to existing wiring) by a vetted local pro.
Install a nest thermostat
Install a nest thermostat by a vetted local pro.
Install a new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance
Install a new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance by a vetted local pro.
Install an additional aerial socket
Install an additional aerial socket by a vetted local pro.
Install an additional light switch
Install an additional light switch by a vetted local pro.
Install an additional power socket
Install an additional power socket by a vetted local pro.
Install earth bonding
Install earth bonding by a vetted local pro.
Install new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance
Install new power outlet for a cooker or other hard-wired appliance and connect the appliance by a vetted local pro.
Install new smoke or heat detector
Install new smoke or heat detector by a vetted local pro.
Install or replace a Fusebox
Install or replace a Fusebox by a vetted local pro.
Lawn Mower Repair
Lawn Mower Repair by a vetted local pro.
Loss of power
Loss of power by a vetted local pro.
Motion Sensor Lights Installation
Motion Sensor Lights Installation by a vetted local pro.
Move a light
Move a light by a vetted local pro.
Move a light switch
Move a light switch by a vetted local pro.
Move a power socket
Move a power socket by a vetted local pro.
Move a smoke or heat detector
Move a smoke or heat detector by a vetted local pro.
Move an Electric Meter
Moving an Electric Meter by a vetted local pro.
Move an aerial socket
Move an aerial socket by a vetted local pro.
Move an electric heater
Move an electric heater by a vetted local pro.
Move an intercom handset
Move an intercom handset by a vetted local pro.
New Electric Fuse Box
New Electric Fuse Box by a vetted local pro.
New Plug Sockets
New Plug Sockets by a vetted local pro.
Outdoor Cinema
Outdoor Cinema by a vetted local pro.
Outdoor Lights
Outdoor Lights by a vetted local pro.
Outdoor Socket Installation
Outdoor Socket Installation by a vetted local pro.
Oven Installation
Oven Installation by a vetted local pro.
Oven Repair
Oven Repair by a vetted local pro.
PIV Installation
PIV Installation by a vetted local pro.
Parking Sensor Installation
Parking Sensor Installation by a vetted local pro.
Portable Appliance Testing
Portable Appliance Testing by a vetted local pro.
Projector Installation
Projector Installation by a vetted local pro.
Repair or fix a fire alarm or fire alarm system
Repair or fix a fire alarm or fire alarm system by a vetted local pro.
Replace Circuit Breakers
Replacing Circuit Breakers by a vetted local pro.
Replace a fire alarm/smoke detector
Replace a fire alarm/smoke detector by a vetted local pro.
Replace a light switch
Replace a light switch by a vetted local pro.
Replace a power socket
Replace a power socket by a vetted local pro.
Replace an aerial socket
Replace an aerial socket by a vetted local pro.
Replace an electric fire
Replace an electric fire by a vetted local pro.
Replace an electric heater
Replace an electric heater by a vetted local pro.
Replace an extractor fan
Replace an extractor fan by a vetted local pro.
Replace an intercom handset
Replace an intercom handset by a vetted local pro.
Rewire a House
Rewire a House by a vetted local pro.
Roof Heating Cable Installation
Roof Heating Cable Installation by a vetted local pro.
Smart Home Installation
Smart Home Installation by a vetted local pro.
Smart Plugs
Smart Plugs by a vetted local pro.
Smart Speakers
Smart Speakers by a vetted local pro.
Smoke Alarm Installation
Smoke Alarm Installation by a vetted local pro.
Solar Battery
Solar Battery by a vetted local pro.
Solar Panel Installation
Solar Panel Installation by a vetted local pro.
Solar Panel Maintenance
Solar Panel Maintenance by a vetted local pro.
Stairlift Installation
Stairlift Installation by a vetted local pro.
Storage Heaters
Storage Heaters by a vetted local pro.
TV Aerial Installation
TV Aerial Installation by a vetted local pro.
TV Screen Repair
TV Screen Repair by a vetted local pro.
Wind Turbine Installation
Wind Turbine Installation by a vetted local pro.
Wireless Light Switch
Wireless Light Switch by a vetted local pro.

Are you a Tradesperson or business owner?

Grow your business with Fixington — tools and services for electricians, plumbers and heating engineers.

1) Fixington app

Estimate, schedule and invoice on the go with our iPhone app and web tools.

More info Buy

2) Fixdd job management

Manage jobs from quote to invoice, take card payments, and keep customers updated.

Visit fixdd.com

3) Get listed on Fixington

Appear where customers are searching. Showcase reviews and get discovered locally.

See all services for tradespeople