Power loss and tripping
No power to part or all of the house, and a trip switch or RCD that won’t reset or keeps going off.
Emergency Electrician in Reading
No power, a burning smell or a trip switch that won’t reset? Compare quotes from up to 3 vetted local electricians in Reading.
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Urgent electrical help in Reading
Burning smells and sparks
Sockets, switches or fittings that spark, buzz, feel hot or show scorch marks, and a fuse box that smells of burning.
Water and storm damage
Making electrics safe after a leak or flood, and damaged outside lights, sockets or cables.
Electrical faults are not something to DIY. Use a registered electrician. If you see smoke, sparks or scorch marks, or smell burning, turn off the power at the main switch on your consumer unit if it’s safe to reach, and keep away. If there’s a fire, call 999.
First, work out whether the problem is in your home or on the network. If your neighbours’ lights are off too, it’s probably a power cut. In Reading, the local network is run by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks. Call 105 to report a power cut or check for updates. An electrician can’t fix a fault on the network.
If the problem is only in your home, look at your consumer unit. A trip switch that has flipped to off, or a blown fuse on an older board, points to one circuit. Try this:
- Switch off or unplug everything on that circuit.
- Reset the trip switch.
- Plug things back in one at a time.
If it trips when a particular appliance goes back on, that appliance is the likely fault. If it trips straight away with nothing plugged in, or won’t reset at all, you need an electrician.
Other situations that need someone quickly include water leaking into light fittings or sockets, a socket or switch that’s hot or crackling, a buzzing consumer unit, and exposed wires after damage. Leaks from the flat above are a common cause in Reading’s many converted houses. If water is coming through a light, switch that circuit off and don’t touch the switches.
Reading has a lot of older wiring, and an emergency visit can uncover wider issues, such as a board without RCD protection or a circuit with poor earthing. A good electrician will make the fault safe first, explain what they found, and give you a written quote for any upgrade. You don’t have to agree to it on the night, and you can get other quotes.
When you call, ask for the call-out fee, what it covers, and the hourly rate after the first hour. Check they’re registered with a competent person scheme, so any new work can be certified. Reviews on Trade Pilot come from real, invoiced jobs, so you can see which electricians have helped other homeowners at short notice.
Typical prices
| Job | Typical UK range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency call-out, out of hours | £100–£200 | Usually covers the first hour; nights and bank holidays cost most |
| Out-of-hours rate after the first hour | £80–£100 an hour | Evenings, weekends and overnight |
| Electrician, daytime hourly rate | £45–£60 | Often with a one-hour minimum; South East rates sit at the top end |
| Replace a damaged socket or light fitting | £55–£75 | Plus the fitting if you don’t supply it |
| Consumer unit replacement | £450–£850 | If the old board can’t be made safe; usually booked as a planned job |
Typical UK ranges; your quotes depend on the job and access.
How it works
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How Trade Pilot helps in an emergency
Vetted local trades
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Reviews on Trade Pilot are tied to invoiced jobs, so you’re reading about work that was actually done and paid for.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Out-of-hours call-outs usually cost £100 to £200, often including the first hour, then around £80 to £100 an hour. Daytime rates are lower.
Usually a faulty appliance, water getting into an outside socket or light, or damaged wiring. Unplug everything on the circuit and reset it. If it still trips, call an electrician.
If neighbours have lost power too, it’s likely a power cut. Call 105 to report it. If only your home is affected, check your consumer unit for a tripped switch.
Switch off that circuit at the consumer unit, or the main switch if you’re unsure, and don’t use the light switches. Stop the leak, then call an electrician to check it before switching back on.
Yes, once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off and call an electrician. Never hold a trip switch on, or replace fuse wire with a heavier wire.
For new or replaced wiring, a registered electrician should give you a certificate. A simple repair to make something safe may not need one.
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