Lady in Papanui called us last month cause half her house had no power. She'd been living like that for 3 days trying to figure it out herself. Turned out one of her main circuit connections in the switchboard had come loose and was arcing. Simple fix - tighten the connection, check for damage, test everything. Took 20 minutes. She couldnt believe shed been dealing with it for days when the fix was that quick. Said she wished shed called sooner instead of mucking around with torches and extension cords from the side of the house that still had power.
Thats pretty common actually. People put up with electrical problems way longer than they should cause they think its gonna be expensive or complicated to fix. Most repairs are quick and cheaper than you expect.
Common Electrical Repairs We Do
Electrical stuff breaks. Outlets stop working, lights flicker, switches fail, breakers trip. Normal wear and tear plus christchurch weather takes its toll.
Dead outlets are probably the most common call we get. You go to plug something in and nothing happens. Could be the outlet itself is burnt out, could be a loose connection behind it, could be a tripped breaker, could be a fault somewhere in the circuit.
We test the outlet, check the breaker, trace the circuit if needed. Usually its the outlet itself thats failed and needs replacing. Takes 10-15 minutes to swap it out. Sometimes its a loose wire behind the outlet which we tighten up.
Light switches that dont work or work intermittently. The switch mechanism wears out over time specially if its used a lot. We replace the switch with a new one.
Lights that flicker. Could be loose bulbs, could be loose connections in the light fixture, could be problems in the wiring, could be voltage issues. We check everything and fix whatevers causing it.
Breakers that trip all the time. Sometimes its cause you got too much plugged into that circuit. Other times its a fault in the wiring or an appliance thats failing. We figure out whats causing the trips and fix it.
Hot outlets or switches. If electrical stuff feels warm or hot to touch thats not normal. Means theres too much resistance somewhere causing heat buildup. Fire hazard. We find the problem and fix it before it gets worse.
Smell of burning near outlets or switches. Call someone immediately if you smell burning. Wiring or connections are overheating. We track down the source and repair it.
Did a house in Avonhead where the kitchen outlets kept tripping the breaker. Turned out the dishwasher had a water leak that was getting into the outlet underneath it. Replaced the outlet, fixed the leak issue, good as new.
Light Fixture Repairs and Replacement
Light fixtures fail or people want them replaced with newer ones.
Old ceiling lights that dont work anymore. Could be the fixture is burnt out, could be wiring problems, could be the switch. We diagnose and fix or replace.
Replacing old light fixtures with new modern ones. People upgrade their lighting all the time. We take down the old fixture, install the new one, make sure its wired properly and works.
Downlights that stopped working. LED downlights usually last years but eventually they fail. We replace the failed units with new ones.
Bathroom lights that corrode from moisture. Bathrooms are hard on light fixtures cause of all the moisture. We install proper bathroom rated lights that handle the damp conditions.
Outdoor lights that fail from weather exposure. Wind, rain, sun - outdoor lighting takes a beating in christchurch. We repair or replace with proper weatherproof fixtures.
Installing dimmer switches for existing lights. People want to control brightness. We install dimmers that work with whatever bulbs your using.
Circuit Breaker Problems
Circuit breakers protect your wiring from overload. When they trip theres usually a reason.
Breakers that trip and wont reset. Could be theres still a fault on that circuit. We find and fix the fault then reset the breaker.
Old breakers that trip randomly. Breakers wear out over time and become sensitive. We replace them with new ones.
Breakers that feel hot. Not normal. Means the breaker is failing or theres too much load on that circuit. We check the load, test the breaker, replace if needed.
Not enough circuits for your needs. If you keep tripping breakers cause you dont have enough circuits we can add more if theres space in your switchboard.
Had a place in Sydenham where their main breaker kept tripping. Turned out it was just old and worn out. Replaced the breaker and everythings been fine since.
Switchboard Repairs and Upgrades
Switchboards need attention sometimes. Problems show up, things need upgrading.
Loose connections in switchboards. This is dangerous cause loose connections arc and overheat. We tighten all connections and check for damage.
Corroded breakers or bus bars. Moisture can get into switchboards and cause corrosion. We clean it up or replace corroded parts.
Adding new circuits to existing switchboards. If you need more circuits and theres room in your board we can add them.
Replacing old ceramic fuse switchboards. These are outdated and not safe by modern standards. We replace them with modern switchboards that have circuit breakers and RCD safety switches.
Installing RCD safety switches on old switchboards. If your switchboard doesnt have RCDs we can retrofit them. RCDs protect you from electric shock.
Appliance Circuit Repairs
Appliances need proper electrical supply. Problems with appliance circuits are common.
Oven or cooktop not working. Could be the circuit breaker tripped, could be a wiring problem, could be the isolator switch. We check everything and get it working.
Hot water cylinder not heating. Usually the thermostat or element but sometimes its the electrical supply. We test the circuit and repair whatevers wrong.
Heat pump not getting power. Could be the isolator switch outside, could be a tripped breaker, could be wiring issues. We diagnose and fix.
Dishwasher or washing machine circuit problems. These appliances pull decent power and sometimes the circuits fail or connections come loose. We repair the circuit.
Fault Finding and Troubleshooting
Some electrical problems arent obvious. Thats where fault finding comes in.
Power to some rooms but not others. We trace the circuits to find where the fault is. Could be a loose connection in a junction box, could be damaged wiring, could be a failed breaker.
Intermittent problems that come and go. These are annoying cause theyre hard to catch. We test circuits under load, check connections, look for patterns.
Voltage problems. Lights dimming, appliances not working right. We test voltage at different points to find where the problem is.
Earth faults that keep tripping RCDs. Something on the circuit is leaking current to earth. We isolate sections of the circuit til we find the problem area.
Mystery smells or sounds from electrical. If you smell burning or hear buzzing or crackling we track down the source. Usually its connections overheating or arcing.
Did a house in Ilam where lights in half the house would randomly dim and brighten. Took us a while to find it but turned out to be a loose neutral connection at the meter box. Tightened it up and problems gone.
Preventive Maintenance
Most people only call electricians when stuff breaks. But regular maintenance prevents problems and keeps things safe.
We do electrical inspections where we check your whole system. Switchboard connections, circuit testing, earth system, outlets and switches, visible wiring. Find problems before they become emergencies.
Testing RCD safety switches. You should test these monthly but most people dont. We test them to make sure theyre working properly and protecting you.
Tightening connections. Connections loosen over time from thermal expansion and contraction. Loose connections cause problems. We go through and tighten everything.
Checking for signs of damage or wear. Burnt outlets, discolored switches, cracked insulation. We find this stuff during maintenance and fix it before it fails.
Cleaning switchboards. Dust and dirt build up in switchboards over years. We clean them out and check all components.
Some landlords and property managers have us do annual maintenance on their rental properties. Keeps tenants safe and avoids expensive emergency repairs.
Outdoor Electrical Repairs
Outdoor electrical takes more abuse than indoor cause of weather.
Outdoor outlets that stopped working. Water probably got in and corroded the connections. We replace the outlet with a proper weatherproof one.
Garden lights that failed. Could be the lights themselves, could be wiring damaged by garden work or weather. We find and fix the problem.
Outdoor switches or timers that dont work. Weather and UV damage these over time. We replace with weatherproof rated gear.
Weatherhead and mast damage. Storms and trees can damage the connection where power comes into your house. We repair or replace the damaged components and coordinate with the power company if needed.
Underground cable damage. If you got underground power cables to sheds or outdoor areas they can get damaged by digging or ground movement. We locate and repair the damaged sections.
Emergency Electrical Repairs
Some electrical problems cant wait til morning. Thats why we do 24/7 emergency repairs.
Sparking from outlets or switchboards. Immediate danger. We come out right away, shut off power to the affected area, fix the problem.
Smell of burning from electrical. Could be wiring overheating. We find the source and make it safe.
Complete power loss. Could be your switchboard, could be the power companys issue. We diagnose and fix what we can, coordinate with the power company for their side.
Water damage to electrical. Floods or leaks that affect your electrical system. We assess the damage, make it safe, repair or replace affected components.
Storm damage. Trees on power lines, weatherhead damage, water in outdoor outlets. We make emergency repairs to get you power back safely.
Got called to Riccarton at midnight cause their switchboard was crackling and smoking. Main breaker connection had failed and was arcing. Shut off power at the meter, replaced the breaker, checked everything else. House was safe by 2am.
Small Job Electrical Repairs
Some electricians dont wanna do small jobs. We do. Small repairs matter.
Replacing one outlet or switch. Yeah its a 15 minute job but if your outlet doesnt work you need it fixed.
Installing one new light. Small job but makes a difference to your home.
Adding an outlet where you need one. Maybe $200-300 depending on how hard it is to run cable but way better than extension cords everywhere.
Fixing a doorbell. Simple repair but annoying when it doesnt work.
Replacing a ceiling fan. Takes an hour but makes your summer more comfortable.
We dont have minimum charges that make small jobs unaffordable. Call us for whatever you need fixed.
Repair vs Replace
Sometimes people ask if they should repair something or just replace it. Depends on whats wrong.
Outlets and switches - usually just replace them. Theyre cheap and new ones last years.
Light fixtures - if the fixture itself is damaged replace it. If its just wiring or connections we repair those.
Circuit breakers - if a breakers old and failing replace it. If it just tripped cause of a fault we fix the fault and the breaker is fine.
Switchboards - old switchboards with ceramic fuses should be replaced. Modern switchboards can usually be repaired unless theyre really damaged.
Wiring - if just a small section is damaged we can repair it. If lots of wiring is bad you might need to rewire that area or the whole house.
We give honest advice about repair vs replace. Not gonna tell you to replace stuff thats fine just to make more money.
Cost of Electrical Repairs
People always want to know what repairs will cost. Heres rough pricing.
Simple outlet or switch replacement - $120-180 depending on whats involved.
Light fixture replacement - $150-300 depending on fixture complexity.
Circuit breaker replacement - $150-250 per breaker.
Fault finding - $120-180 per hour depending on how complex the problem is.
Adding new circuits - $300-600 depending on switchboard space and cable runs.
Emergency after hours repairs - higher rate cause its after hours but we come when you need us.
We give quotes before we do work so you know what your paying. No surprise charges.
When to Call for Repairs
Some problems are obvious emergencies. Others people arent sure about. Heres when to call.
Call immediately: sparks from outlets or switchboard, smell of burning, outlets or switches that are hot, power loss to whole house, crackling or buzzing sounds from electrical.
Call soon: outlets that dont work, lights that flicker constantly, breakers that trip regularly, switches that work intermittently.
Schedule when convenient: upgrading old outlets, replacing light fixtures, adding new circuits, preventive maintenance.
Dont ignore electrical problems. Small issues become big problems if you leave them. And electrical problems can be dangerous.
Why Not DIY Electrical Repairs
Some people try to fix electrical stuff themselves. Usually makes things worse.
Electricity can kill you. One mistake and your dead or your house burns down. Not worth the risk to save a hundred bucks.
DIY repairs often dont fix the actual problem. You might get the outlet working again but if the underlying issue isnt fixed it fails again or causes other problems.
Insurance might not cover electrical fires or damage from DIY work. Specially if your not a licensed electrician.
When you sell your house buyers will want proof electrical work was done by licensed people. DIY work causes problems at sale time.
We see DIY repairs gone wrong all the time. Wrong wire sizes, dangerous connections, code violations. Then we gotta fix the DIY work plus the original problem.
Just call a licensed electrician. We fix it properly the first time.
Maintaining Your Electrical System
Few things you can do yourself to keep your electrical in good shape.
Test your RCD switches monthly. Push the test button, it should trip and cut power. Push reset to bring power back. If it doesnt trip the RCD is faulty and needs replacing.
Dont overload outlets. Using power boards to plug 6 things into one outlet overloads the circuit and causes problems.
Replace damaged cords and plugs. Frayed cords are fire hazards. Get new ones.
Keep outdoor outlets covered when not in use. Keeps moisture out.
Dont ignore warning signs. If something smells funny or feels hot or works intermittently get it checked.
But for actual repairs and maintenance call licensed electricians. Thats what were here for.