Socket installation in Birmingham
We fit new sockets, move old ones and upgrade them to USB or outdoor sockets in Birmingham. Every job is done by NICEIC approved electricians, tested and certified, and you get the price before we start.
Sockets we fit
- Extra double sockets in any room
- USB sockets, with charging ports built in
- Outdoor sockets for the garden, patio or shed
- Kitchen sockets above the worktop
- Sockets for a home office or a garage
- Single sockets swapped for doubles
- Sockets moved to a new spot, for example after a kitchen refit
- Damaged, loose or scorched sockets replaced
We do this for homes, rented flats and commercial premises like shops and offices. We don't take on industrial work.
What's included
- A check that the circuit can safely take more sockets
- RCD protection for the new sockets
- Neat fitting, with the cable in the wall or in tidy trunking
- Full testing once the job is done
- A Minor Works Certificate, or an Electrical Installation Certificate for a new circuit
We tell you the price before we start. If we find a problem once we open up the wall, we stop and talk it through with you first.
What affects the cost
Every home is different, so we price each socket installation in Birmingham on the job itself. These are the main things that change the price:
- How many sockets. Fitting several in one visit usually works out cheaper per socket.
- Where the power comes from. Taking a feed from a nearby socket is quick. A new circuit from the fuse box takes longer.
- In the wall or on it. We can cut a channel in the plaster and hide the cable. Or we can run it in plastic trunking along the wall, which is quicker but shows.
- The walls and floors. Solid brick, tiles and concrete floors take more work than plasterboard.
- RCD protection. If your fuse box has no RCD, the new sockets still need one. That might mean an RCD socket, or a new consumer unit.
- Outdoors. Outdoor sockets need a weatherproof fitting and a safe cable route.
Send us a photo of where you want the socket and of your fuse box. It helps us give you a clear price.
The safety rules, in plain words
An RCD (residual current device) is a switch that cuts the power in a split second if electricity leaks, for example through a person. The wiring rules say almost all new sockets need one. It is one of the best safety features a home can have.
Part P is the part of the Building Regulations that covers electrics in homes in England. Some jobs are "notifiable", which means Building Control must be told. A new circuit is notifiable. So is most work near a bath or shower. Adding a socket to an existing circuit usually isn't. It still has to be done safely and tested, though.
Outdoor sockets need an IP rating. That is a code that shows how well a fitting keeps out dust and water. We use covers made for outdoor use, and they shut over the plug while it's in use.
Sockets aren't allowed in a bathroom near the bath or shower. A shaver socket is the main exception.
Can I use an extension lead instead?
Extension leads are fine for light use, like a lamp and a phone charger. Problems start when they are used for heaters, kettles or tumble dryers, or plugged into each other. They can overheat and start a fire. If you rely on extension leads in one room, it's a sign you need more sockets.
Warm, buzzing or scorched sockets are a different matter. Switch them off and call our emergency electrician line. We're open 24/7.
Other electrical work
If your wiring is old, it can be worth having it tested before you add sockets. An EICR (electrical safety report) shows what state your circuits are in. For lighting, fault finding, rewires and other jobs, see our main electrician page. We have over 20 years of experience across Birmingham and towns up to about 20 miles away.
Common questions
How much does socket installation cost?
It depends on the job. The main things are how many sockets you want, how far they are from the nearest circuit, and whether we cut the cable into the wall or run it on the surface. Outdoor sockets and new circuits take longer. We tell you the price before we start.
Can you add a socket to an existing circuit?
Usually, yes. Most new sockets in a home are taken from a nearby socket on the same circuit. We check the circuit first to make sure it can take the extra load. If it can't, we will suggest a new circuit and explain why.
Do I get a certificate for a new socket?
Yes. A new socket on an existing circuit comes with a Minor Works Certificate. That is a short record of the work and the test results. A new circuit comes with an Electrical Installation Certificate, and we notify the work through NICEIC.
Can I have USB sockets fitted?
Yes. A USB socket looks like a normal double socket, with USB ports built in. It fits in the same space, so we can often swap an old socket for one. They are handy by the bed, in the kitchen and in a home office.
Do outdoor sockets need anything special?
Yes. An outdoor socket needs a weatherproof cover rated to keep out rain and dust. It also needs RCD protection, which cuts the power fast if electricity leaks. We fit both as standard on outdoor sockets.
Can I plug an electric car into an outdoor socket?
Now and then, yes, if the socket and circuit are in good order and RCD protected. Have an electrician check them first. Never use an extension lead or adaptor. A normal socket isn't made for charging a car every night. A proper EV charger has its own circuit and is safer and faster. Ask us about an EV charger if you charge at home often.