In this guide 4 sections
Why it matters more than most trades
A badly fitted tap drips. A badly fitted circuit can start a fire. Electrical work is the one job where “someone my neighbour knows” is not good enough, and the checks below take ten minutes.
Know what kind of job you have
Small repairs: a dead socket, a tripping MCB, a new light fitting. Most general electricians handle these in one visit.
Bigger work: rewiring, a new distribution board, inverter or solar hook-ups. Ask specifically about experience with this kind of job, and expect a site visit before any price.
Seven checks before you hire
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Ask how long they have done this work
And whether they have done your kind of job before, not just electrical work in general.
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Ask who else they have worked for
A reference from a neighbour, a building or a business is worth more than any certificate.
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Get the price before work starts
For anything beyond a small repair, the electrician should inspect first and give a fixed figure.
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Agree what brand of parts goes in
Cheap MCBs and wire are the most common corner cut. Name the brand you want, or ask what they recommend and why.
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Make sure the mains is switched off
A careful electrician isolates the circuit before touching it. If they don’t, stop the job.
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Test everything before they leave
Every switch, socket and breaker they worked on. Ask them to show you what they changed.
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Keep their number
If something goes wrong in the first weeks, the person who did the work is the first call.
Red flags and good signs
| Red flag | Good sign |
|---|---|
| Quotes a price over the phone for unseen work | Wants to look before naming a price |
| Starts without switching off the mains | Isolates the circuit and tests it first |
| Can’t say what brand of parts they will use | Names the parts and explains the choice |
| Asks for full payment before starting | Is paid on completion, after you have checked the work |
The people behind a Najik referral
Takes your call, asks the right questions and matches the job to a specialist near you.
Checks identity and skills before anyone is added to the network.
Checks the work went as agreed, and hears about it if it didn’t.
We’ll send someone we have already vetted
Describe the fault and your area. A coordinator calls you back, usually within two hours.
