Here are answers to the most common questions we receive from Winchester homeowners, landlords, and businesses about electrical services, costs, and regulations.
Most electricians in Winchester charge between £50 and £80 per hour for standard domestic work. At Orsidaen Electrical Services, we prefer to quote fixed prices for specific jobs rather than hourly rates, so you know exactly what you'll pay before work begins. This avoids surprises and gives you complete cost certainty. Call 01962 809912 for a free quote.
The cost of an electrician in Winchester depends on the job. Typical prices: socket installation from £80, light fitting from £60, fuse board upgrade from £800, EICR from £200, EV charger installation from £850, full house rewire from £3,500. All our prices include VAT, materials, and certification. We provide free, no-obligation quotes.
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) in Winchester typically costs from £200 for a standard 3-bedroom home. Larger properties or commercial premises may cost more. The inspection takes 2-4 hours and checks every circuit, socket, and connection in your property. All our EICRs are carried out by NICEIC approved electricians and include a detailed report.
A consumer unit (fuse board) upgrade in Winchester typically costs from £800 to £1,200 including supply, installation, testing, and full certification. The exact price depends on the number of circuits and whether you choose a dual RCD or full RCBO board. Read our detailed guide: How Much Does a Fuse Board Upgrade Cost in Winchester?
A home EV charger installation in Winchester typically costs between £850 and £1,500 including the charger unit, installation, and certification. Popular chargers include Ohme Home Pro (£850-£1,100 installed), Zappi (£1,000-£1,300 installed), and Easee One (£950-£1,200 installed). The main factor affecting cost is the cable run distance from your consumer unit.
A full house rewire in Winchester typically costs between £3,500 and £8,000 depending on the size and age of the property. A 2-bedroom flat costs £3,500-£4,500, a 3-bedroom semi £4,500-£6,000, and a 4-5 bedroom detached house £6,000-£8,000. Period properties may cost more due to the care needed with original features.
Yes, Orsidaen Electrical Services provides emergency electrical call-outs across Winchester and surrounding Hampshire villages. Attendance time depends on location, current workload and safe access. Common emergencies include power failures, tripping circuits, burning smells, sparking sockets and water damage to electrics. Call 01962 809912 for assistance.
Yes, Orsidaen Electrical Services is an NICEIC Approved Contractor. Our work is subject to independent assessment, and we are also Part P registered and fully insured. Customers should verify current registration on the relevant official register before appointing any contractor.
We cover Winchester and 20 surrounding Hampshire villages including New Alresford, Stockbridge, Whitchurch, Overton, Sutton Scotney, Micheldever, Kings Worthy, Littleton, Wherwell, Chilbolton, Longparish, Barton Stacey, Crawley, Sparsholt, King's Somborne, Itchen Abbas, Easton, Old Alresford, and Cheriton. Visit our areas page for the full list.
A full house rewire in Winchester typically takes 5-10 working days depending on the size and age of the property. A 2-3 bedroom house usually takes 5-7 days, while larger properties or period homes may take 8-10 days. We minimise disruption by working room by room and keeping you informed throughout.
Landlords in England must have electrical installations in covered rented homes inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years, or sooner if the current report specifies. A valid report does not need to be repeated solely because the tenancy changes, but it must be supplied to a new tenant before occupation. Existing tenants must receive it within 28 days of the inspection, and the local council within 7 days of a request. Councils may impose penalties of up to £40,000 for specified breaches. Orsidaen provides landlord EICRs across Winchester from £200.
You can change a like-for-like light switch yourself in England as it is not notifiable work under Part P. However, if you're adding a new switch, moving a switch, or working in a bathroom or kitchen, you should use a qualified electrician. Any work in special locations (bathrooms, near swimming pools) legally requires a qualified electrician.
It is not illegal to do minor electrical work yourself, such as replacing sockets or light fittings on a like-for-like basis. However, notifiable work — including new circuits, work in bathrooms/kitchens, and consumer unit replacements — must be carried out by a registered electrician or inspected by Building Control. Non-compliance can affect your home insurance and cause problems when selling.
The IET Wiring Regulations recommend an EICR every 10 years for owner-occupied homes and every 5 years for rented properties. If your home is over 25 years old and has never been inspected, or if you notice warning signs like flickering lights, tripping circuits, or warm sockets, you should book an EICR as soon as possible.
An electrician is a qualified individual who carries out electrical work. An electrical contractor is a business that employs electricians and takes on electrical projects. Orsidaen Electrical Services is both — an NICEIC Approved Contractor, meaning our business and our electricians are independently assessed and approved to the highest industry standards.
Yes, we install a wide range of smart home electrical systems including smart lighting (Philips Hue, Lutron), heating controls (Hive, Nest), video doorbells (Ring, Nest), security cameras, multi-room audio (Sonos), and full home automation systems. We work with all major smart home brands across Winchester and Hampshire.
Look for current NICEIC or NAPIT registration, suitable public liability insurance, appropriate Part P registration, genuine recent customer feedback, transparent written quotes, and willingness to provide the correct certification. Verify registration on the relevant official register before appointing any contractor.
Yes, we provide free, no-obligation estimates for all electrical work. We'll visit your property, assess the work needed, and provide a clear, written quote with no hidden charges. There's no pressure to proceed. Call 01962 809912 or use our online contact form to arrange a visit.
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a formal inspection of the fixed electrical installation in a property. It checks wiring, sockets, switches, consumer units, and earthing for safety and compliance. You need one if: you're a landlord (legally required every 5 years), buying or selling a home, your property is over 25 years old, or you've noticed electrical problems.
Check the relevant official competent-person register, read recent Google reviews, ask for recommendations, confirm insurance, and request a written quote describing the work and certification. Orsidaen Electrical Services is an NICEIC Approved Contractor serving Winchester; call 01962 809912 to discuss your job.
The four main types of electricians are: (1) Domestic electricians who work on homes and residential properties, (2) Commercial electricians who work on offices, shops, and business premises, (3) Industrial electricians who work on factories and manufacturing, and (4) Maintenance electricians who carry out ongoing testing and repairs. Orsidaen covers domestic and commercial electrical work across Winchester.
Can't find your answer? Call 01962 809912 or send us a message. We're happy to help with any electrical question.
View our full range of electrical services or read our electrical blog for detailed guides and advice.