--- title: "Sockets and switches in Colchester — Lighting Electrical" description: "Add, move or replace sockets, switches and dimmers. See the published price, what the visit involves and the certificate you receive." canonical: "https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/sockets-and-switches" last_updated: "2026-08-05T08:29:55.282Z" --- # Sockets and switches in Colchester — Lighting Electrical > Add, move or replace sockets, switches and dimmers. See the published price, what the visit involves and the certificate you receive. Add, move or replace sockets, light switches and dimmers, tested and certified on completion. ## What sockets and switches cost The published price covers a straightforward replacement or an addition onto an existing circuit. Where a new circuit, a chase into solid walls or making good is needed, that is surveyed and priced separately. - Socket installation or replacement: £85 - Light switch or dimmer replacement: £60 - Quotes are free and there is no call-out charge. - Several sockets fitted in one visit cost less per socket than separate visits. - A minor works certificate is issued for the work carried out. - Plastering and decoration after chasing are not included unless quoted. ## Work out what you actually need Most requests are one of three jobs, and they carry very different amounts of work. - **Replace like for like:** A damaged, discoloured or dated accessory swapped on the existing circuit. The quickest of the three. - **Add a socket:** A new outlet spurred or looped from a nearby point, once the circuit is confirmed as suitable to extend. - **Move a socket or switch:** Relocating an accessory means new cable in the wall, so expect chasing and making good. - **Change to a dimmer:** Dimmers must suit the lamps fitted. The wrong pairing causes flicker and buzz, so the lamp type is checked first. ## What the work covers The quote records which accessories are changed and whether the circuit is being extended. ### Included when agreed - Isolating the circuit and confirming it is dead before work starts - Fitting the agreed sockets, switches or dimmers - Testing the circuit after the change - A minor works certificate for the work carried out - Removing the old accessories and clearing up ### Not included automatically - New circuits back to the consumer unit - Plastering, filling or decoration after chasing - Repairs to faults found on the existing circuit - Fitted furniture or appliance removal to reach an outlet ## How the visit works Send a photo of the existing accessory and its position and most of this is settled before anyone arrives. 1. **Confirm the scope:** Photos and a description establish whether it is a replacement, an addition or a move. 2. **Isolate and fit:** The circuit is isolated and proved dead, then the accessories are fitted. 3. **Test and certify:** The circuit is tested and a certificate issued for the work done. 4. **Tidy and hand over:** Old accessories are taken away and the area left clean. ## What you are left with Every change is recorded so the next electrician can see what was done. - **Accessories fitted and working:** Sockets, switches or dimmers installed and checked under load. - **A certificate:** Minor works certification covering the change. - **A clear scope:** Anything found that needs separate work is written down and priced, never assumed. ## Sockets and switches questions Clear answers before you request a quote. ### Can you add a socket without rewiring? Often yes, by extending an existing circuit, provided that circuit is in good condition and has capacity. That is checked before the work is agreed. ### Will you need to chase the wall? Only if the accessory is moving or a new cable route is needed. A like-for-like replacement does not. ### Do you make good the plaster? Filling and decoration are not included by default. Say if you want them and they can be quoted. ### Why does my dimmer buzz? Usually the dimmer and the lamps are not a suitable pair. The lamp type is checked so the right dimmer goes in. ### Can you fit sockets with USB charging? Yes. They fit the same back box in most cases, though a deeper box is sometimes needed. ### Do I get paperwork? Yes, a minor works certificate covering the work carried out. ## Business facts - Based: 12 Rangoon Close, Colchester, CO2 9RH - Service area: Colchester, Witham, Maldon, Wivenhoe, Tiptree, Kelvedon, West Mersea, Stanway, Brightlingsea, Coggeshall, Marks Tey - Hours: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri 09:00–17:00 - Phone: +447414545781 - Email: team@lightingelectrical.co.uk ## Request a quote - [Start a request](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/#chat): Send the job details and postcode to Lighting Electrical. ## Related pages - [Electrical Fault Finding & Repair](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/electrical-fault-finding): Electrical fault finding in Colchester. - [Fuse board replacement](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/fuse-board-replacement): Fuse board replacement in Colchester. - [Lighting Installation](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/lighting-installation): Lighting installation in Colchester. - [EICR](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/services/eicr): EICR testing in Colchester. - [Full sitemap](https://lightingelectrical.co.uk/sitemap.md): Complete machine-readable page directory.