How to get an emergency electrician, and what happens when you call

The quickest way to get an emergency electrician is to phone a local, registered electrician directly, rather than filling in an online form or going through a lead-selling website. Tell them what's happening, ask what the call-out costs and what it includes, and check they're registered with a scheme such as NAPIT. Our emergency line is 07973 781349.

Before you call: make it safe

1. If there's a fire or someone has been hurt, call 999 first.
2. If it's safe to reach, switch off at the main switch on your consumer unit.
3. Stop using any socket, switch or appliance that smells, sparks or feels hot.
4. Check whether your neighbours have power. If the whole street is off, call 105 instead.

How to find an emergency electrician you can trust

• Phone, don't fill in forms. In an emergency you want to speak to the electrician who will come out, not wait for a call back.
• Choose someone local. A local electrician knows the area and has a reputation to protect. Check their Google reviews.
• Check they're registered. Registered electricians, such as NAPIT members, are assessed regularly and can certify their work. You can check a NAPIT registration online.
• Ask for the price up front. A trustworthy electrician tells you the call-out charge on the phone and what it covers.

What to tell the electrician

• What you can see, hear and smell, such as scorch marks, buzzing or a burning smell.
• Which part of the house is affected, and whether the main switch or a breaker has tripped.
• Anything that happened just before, such as a storm, a leak, a new appliance or DIY work.
• Whether anyone in the home relies on power for medical equipment.

The more we know, the more likely we arrive with the right parts and fix it on the first visit.

What happens on an emergency call-out

1. We confirm the price on the phone before we set off. Ours is shown in how much an emergency electrician costs.
2. We make it safe first. That might mean isolating a circuit so the rest of your home has power again.
3. We find the fault. We test the circuits to trace the cause, rather than guessing.
4. We explain what went wrong and what the options are, with a price, before any repair goes ahead.
5. We fix it or arrange a return visit. Most faults are fixed there and then. Bigger jobs can be booked in during normal hours to keep the cost down.

What to do while you wait

• Keep everyone, especially children and pets, away from the affected area.
• Don't try to open up sockets, switches or the fuse board.
• Keep fridge and freezer doors shut if the power is off.
• Leave the main switch off if you turned it off for safety.