What this costs and how fast we can help
From our 24‑hour emergency line we can make your electrics safe within two hours and start repairs; emergency labour is charged at £120/hr (minimum one hour).
Do not switch affected circuits back on or touch wet equipment. We’ll prioritise urgent response times, isolate danger, test safely and explain whether temporary repairs can protect your property.
| Job | Price |
|---|---|
| Emergency labour | £120/hr, first hour minimum |
| Fault finding | £80/hr |
Most faults are traced within one to two hours. Once we’ve assessed the damage, we’ll provide a fixed written quote before work begins, including parts, labour, testing, certification and VAT. Your final bill won’t exceed that quote. Repairs without a listed price are quoted per job after a free survey. Plaster repairs, decoration, asbestos removal, DNO supply upgrades and access equipment aren’t included.
The faults we are called out for most
- Your consumer unit smells or looks scorched after the flood.
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This usually means water has damaged the unit and some parts need replacing.
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A circuit trips and won’t reset when you try to turn it back on.
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That often means moisture or a short is causing a protective device to lock out.
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Sockets or light fittings are sodden or feel damp to the touch.
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Dampness can corrupt the insulation and makes the fitting unsafe.
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Plugs cut out or appliances switch off when you use other high-power devices (e.g., kettle, cooker).
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That can indicate damaged wiring or a compromised circuit that can’t handle the load reliably.
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Lights flicker or dim when other appliances are used.
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This commonly points to church-street or corroded connections or a compromised supply on that circuit.
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Socket covers, accessories or junction boxes are rusty or powdery inside.
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Corrosion inside connections reduces conductivity and creates a fire risk.
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Cables feel soft, brittle or look like old rubber/VIR insulation in older homes.
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Ageing insulation is more vulnerable to storm damage and may need replacement.
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You find wiring joints hidden under skirting or inside walls that are wet or crumbling.
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Hidden water damage can make those joints unsafe and they often need to be replaced.
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Aluminium wires that seem different or have overheated at connections.
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Aluminium behaves differently to copper and needs careful assessment and special connections.
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You’re told the power can’t be turned back on until an inspection is done.
- This usually means the electrician has isolated the supply for safety while they trace and test the faults.
Safe checks to try before you call
Before we attend, we can help you make a few safe checks — but do not touch wet sockets, switches, light fittings, exposed cables or a consumer unit affected by floodwater. If it is safe and dry to do so, unplug portable appliances from unaffected sockets and move them away from drips. Note which rooms have lost power, whether lights flicker, and when the fault started. Check outside for damaged cables, fallen branches near overhead supplies, or water entering through walls, loft spaces or damaged roof areas — do not climb ladders or approach obvious hazards.
Our isolation checks begin with what you can safely report: affected circuits, appliance use and visible moisture. Do not repeatedly reset a tripped device. Take clear photos from a safe distance. This information helps us trace circuits and prepare for the visit.
Clarification: Contrary to a common belief, you are not legally required to attempt repairs yourself; your duty is to take reasonable steps to make the situation safe (for example, isolating power if you can do so safely) and to report accurate information to a qualified electrician.
Floodwater Affecting Consumer Units
If floodwater has reached your consumer unit, or there’s any doubt that it has, don’t touch it, don’t reset switches and don’t restore the supply. Keep everyone clear, avoid wet floors nearby and call us urgently. We’ll follow a safe isolation procedure before evaluating flood damaged equipment.
| What we find | Risk | Our action |
|---|---|---|
| Water marks | Hidden damage | Isolate supply |
| Damp enclosure | Electric shock | Make safe |
| Silt deposits | Tracking faults | Clean or replace |
| Rusted terminals | Overheating | Corrosion inspection |
A consumer unit can appear dry while moisture remains behind covers or within connections. We’ll establish whether replacement is necessary, explain the options clearly and provide a fixed written price before work begins. Don’t rely on drying alone: contamination and corrosion can develop after water recedes.
How we trace a fault
We trace flood-related faults by first isolating the affected circuits, then testing the consumer unit, cabling, sockets and accessories for moisture, insulation failure and corrosion. Don’t reset tripping circuits repeatedly: water can leave hidden conductive paths and damage may worsen as surfaces dry.
We use cable mapping and signal tracing to identify where circuits run, particularly in older Whitstable properties with altered wiring. Insulation-resistance and continuity tests help us pinpoint compromised sections without unnecessary disturbance. Thermal imaging can reveal abnormal heat at connections once it’s safe to energise controlled areas. Where moisture is suspected, timed isolation lets us monitor whether readings stabilise after drying. We’ll explain what we find clearly, keep affected circuits safely off, and confirm testing is complete before recommending any remedial work.
What it costs to put right
If we find water-damaged circuits that need repair, we’ll provide a fixed written price so you can plan repairs, temporary accommodation and insurance claims without worrying about the bill rising. Below are our typical costs for common repair options.
| Job | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Fault finding | £80/hr | Testing and diagnosis |
| EICR, up to 3-bed | £150–£250 | Inspection, testing, certificate |
| Consumer unit replacement | £500–£700 | Parts, labour, testing, certificate |
| Partial rewire | £1,200–£3,000 | Damaged wiring renewal, testing, certificate |
| Full 3-bed rewire | £4,500–£8,000 | Parts, labour, testing, certificate |
Prices include VAT; they do not include plaster repairs, decoration, asbestos removal, DNO charges or access equipment.
When it is an emergency instead
Treat flood or storm damage as an electrical emergency when there’s standing water near sockets or the consumer unit, a burning smell, sparks, repeated tripping, damaged overhead cables or anyone has had an electric shock. Don’t touch wet electrical equipment, attempt repairs or step through water to reach the consumer unit.
If it’s safe to do so from a dry location, switch off the main supply. Otherwise, leave it alone and call our 24-hour emergency line. Immediate evacuation is essential if there’s smoke, fire, a shock risk or suspected damaged supply cables; call 999 where there’s immediate danger.
We’ll advise you on safe next steps and arrange emergency isolation where needed. Keep everyone away from affected areas, including pets, until a qualified electrician has tested the installation.
Note on legal duties: It is a common misconception that homeowners are legally required to have emergency isolation carried out by a specific supplier; in fact, legal duties require that electrical work affecting safety be carried out or inspected by a competent person, but you may choose any appropriately qualified electrician or authorised provider.
Older wiring around Whitstable
In these Whitstable properties floodwater can accelerate insulation breakdown, corrode connections and reveal weaknesses that may not have been apparent before; even if the plaster or skirting looks dry in a Swalecliffe terrace, we will not advise switching circuits back on.
When we work in Whitstable we isolate the affected rooms or circuits, inspect cables, accessories and the consumer unit specific to the property type and age, then test what can safely remain in service. In listed or period properties within Whitstable’s conservation areas we plan repairs sensitively and outline any required upgrades that respect the building’s character. We provide clear findings, a fixed written price before work in Whitstable begins, and the appropriate certification for completed electrical work in the town.