Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our electrical services

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What areas do you cover?

We cover Sidcup, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Welling, Dartford, Bromley, Chislehurst, Eltham, and the surrounding area, roughly within a one-hour drive. If you are not sure whether you are within our area, call us on 020 8144 1428 and we will let you know.

Are you qualified and accredited?

Yes. Vartia Electrics is NAPIT approved and a Which? Trusted Trader, and our team is fully qualified. Our electrical work is carried out by qualified electricians, tested, and certificated to current wiring regulations.

Do you cover both domestic and commercial work?

Yes. We work for homeowners, landlords, and businesses. From a single socket in a house to a full commercial installation, we take on domestic and commercial electrical work of every size.

Do you offer free quotes?

Yes. We provide free, no-obligation quotations. Call us on 020 8144 1428 or fill in our online enquiry form and we will come back to you with a clear, competitive price.

Do you offer emergency callouts?

Yes. Our standard hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00, and we offer 24 hour emergency callouts for genuine electrical emergencies. Call us and we will get to you as quickly as we can.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept card payments and bank transfers, with payment usually taken on completion. For larger projects such as rewires, we are happy to discuss staged payments so you can plan ahead.

How much does it cost to upgrade a fuse box?

A consumer unit upgrade typically costs between £700 and £900. The exact price depends on the number of circuits, whether the meter tails need upgrading, and the condition of the existing installation. We assess all of this before we quote.

Why should I upgrade an older fuse box?

If your existing fuse box does not provide RCD protection, underlying faults may go undetected. A modern RCBO consumer unit protects every circuit individually and can reveal faults that the old board never picked up, so any issues can be investigated and resolved.

Do I need an EICR before a fuse box upgrade?

Where appropriate, we recommend an Electrical Installation Condition Report before an upgrade. It helps identify existing faults or safety concerns and confirms the installation is suitable for the new consumer unit, so the new board goes in to a sound system.

Is the new consumer unit certificated?

Yes. Every consumer unit change is carried out to current wiring regulations, tested, certificated, and clearly labelled, so you know exactly what each circuit does.

How long does a fuse box change take?

Most straightforward consumer unit changes are completed within a day. If we find issues that need attention first, we will explain them and agree the work with you before going ahead.

Can I install an EV charger if my consumer unit is old?

In many cases, yes. We assess your existing installation and, where appropriate, fit a dedicated consumer unit for the charger with the required protective devices, including an RCBO and a surge protection device. We will explain the best and safest method for your property.

What checks do you carry out before installing a charger?

Before installation we check that the property meets the necessary requirements. That includes verifying the main protective bonding to the water and gas services, and checking whether the property has a looped service.

Does a looped service stop me having a charger?

Not necessarily. A looped service does not automatically prevent an EV charger being installed. Depending on the installation, CT clamps can be used to monitor the property's electricity usage and manage the charger's load accordingly.

How much does an EV charger installation cost?

Domestic and commercial EV charger installations typically range from £1,100 to £1,500. We assess your installation and explain the requirements before carrying out any work, so the quotation is clear.

Do you install commercial EV charge points?

Yes. As well as home chargers, we install commercial EV charge points and can advise on the right solution for your site, including load management where several vehicles need charging.

How much does a house rewire cost?

A rewire typically ranges from £6,000 to £13,000. The cost depends on the size and age of the property, the condition of the existing wiring, the number of circuits, sockets, and lighting points, and how accessible the wiring is. We assess the property first and give you a clear, competitive quotation.

Do you do partial rewires as well as full rewires?

Yes. We carry out both full and partial rewires for houses and flats. If only part of the installation needs replacing, we will scope that accurately rather than quoting for a full rewire you do not need.

Is a new consumer unit included in a rewire?

A consumer unit upgrade is usually part of a rewire, and we will confirm this as part of your quotation. A modern board completes the new installation and gives every circuit proper protection.

How disruptive is a rewire?

A rewire is a bigger job, but we keep disruption to a minimum, protect your home, and keep you informed throughout. Once complete, the installation is tested, certificated, and clearly labelled.

Do you rewire rental properties?

Yes. We regularly work for landlords, and can combine a rewire with an EICR and Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate to keep the property compliant.

What is an EICR?

An EICR, or Electrical Installation Condition Report, is a detailed inspection and test of a property's fixed electrical installation. It assesses the wiring, sockets, switches, consumer unit, earthing, and bonding, and identifies faults, deterioration, and potential safety issues.

Is an EICR the same as a Landlord Certificate?

An EICR is commonly referred to as a Landlord Electrical Safety Certificate or Landlord Electrical Certificate when it is carried out for a rental property. Our reports meet the requirement for landlord compliance.

When do I need an EICR?

An EICR is commonly requested for rental properties and landlord compliance, when buying or selling a property, or before electrical work such as a consumer unit upgrade. An inspection before a fuse box upgrade can reveal faults that should be addressed first.

How much does an EICR cost?

We carry out EICRs from £150 to £350, depending on the size and type of property. We will confirm the price when you book, and the report includes any remedial actions we recommend.

What happens if my EICR finds faults?

If the inspection identifies faults, we explain them in plain English, tell you why they matter, and provide a clear quotation for any remedial work, so you can decide how you would like to proceed.