Got a question about electrical work, compliance, or our services? Find answers to the most common questions below. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to email or call us. Our friendly team look forward to speaking with you.
General Questions
A: Sky Electrical is a NICEIC approved electrical contractor based in Twickenham, Middlesex. We have been delivering premium residential, commercial, and specialist electrical services across London and Surrey since 1958. We are rated 9.9/10 on Checkatrade with over 600 verified reviews.
A: Yes. All Sky Electrical engineers hold relevant City & Guilds electrical qualifications and are assessed under the NICEIC scheme. Our engineers carry full public liability insurance and Enhanced DBS certificates. We are also TrustMark registered and OZEV approved for EV charger installation.
A: No. All electrical work is carried out by our directly employed engineers. We never use subcontractors. This ensures consistent quality and accountability on every job.
A: We serve London (Central, West, and South) and Surrey, including Twickenham, Richmond, Wimbledon, Kingston, Wandsworth, Guildford, Cobham, Esher, Berkshire, and surrounding areas. Please call us to confirm coverage in your specific location. Our full list of locations can be found here.
A: All quotations are free of charge and include a site visit. Call us on 020 8894 1799, email info@skyelectrical.co.uk, or use the contact form on our website. We will arrange a convenient visit time and provide a clear, fixed-price quote with no obligation.
EICR & Electrical Testing
A: An EICR in London typically costs between £288-£500 (exc. VAT) depending on the property size. Houses with 6+ bedrooms and commercial premises, please contact us for a quote. Landlords must have a valid EICR every 5 years. We provide same-day certificates and carry out any remedial work needed. Call 020 8894 1799 for a free site visit and quote. Full pricing list here.
A: Landlords are required by law to have an EICR every 5 years, or at the start of a new tenancy. Homeowners are recommended to have an EICR every 10 years, or when buying a property. Businesses should have EICRs every 5 years.
A: If your EICR is unsatisfactory (containing C1 or C2 codes), remedial work must be carried out to address the issues before a satisfactory certificate can be issued. Sky Electrical can carry out all required remedial work, and will re-inspect and re-certify on completion.
A: In many cases, yes. Sky Electrical aims to complete minor remedial work on the same day as the inspection wherever possible. For more extensive remedial work, we will schedule a follow-up visit and provide a written quote upfront.
A: PAT testing is not a specific legal requirement, but employers have a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure electrical equipment is safe. Many landlords and building managers also require it. PAT testing is best practice and helps demonstrate compliance.
A: An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a comprehensive inspection and test of your property’s fixed electrical installation. This includes wiring, consumer unit, sockets, switches, and earthing. It identifies any defects, deterioration, or potentially dangerous conditions. EICRs are a legal requirement for rental properties and are strongly recommended for all properties every 10 years, or at change of occupancy.
A: Residential properties should have an EICR every 10 years or at every change of occupancy. Rental properties must have an EICR at least every 5 years by law. Commercial properties typically require an EICR every 3–5 years. High-risk environments may require more frequent testing. We advise on the correct interval for your property.
A: EICR observations are graded C1 (immediate danger — action required), C2 (potentially dangerous — urgent action required), or C3 (improvement recommended). C1 and C2 items must be remediated to obtain a satisfactory EICR. We carry out all required remedial work and re-test to issue a clean certificate.
A: PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) is the inspection and testing of portable electrical appliances to check they are safe to use. While not always a strict legal requirement, PAT testing is the standard way to demonstrate compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. It is strongly recommended for workplaces, rental properties with appliances, and schools.
A: Yes. Landlords in England are legally required under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 to have a valid EICR for every rental property, renewed at least every 5 years and at every change of tenancy. Failure to comply can result in fines of up to £30,000. See our landlords page for more on EICRs.
EV Charger Installation
A: The OZEV Electric vehicle chargepoint grants provide up to £500 towards the cost of installing a chargepoint at your home. These are the: Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners, and the Electric vehicle chargepoint grant for households with on-street parking. To find out more, and to check if you are eligible: please see the information on the Government’s Electrical Vehicle chargepoint grants page.
Sky Electrical is an OZEV approved installer and can advise on current eligibility. Sky Electrical is OZEV approved and can manage the WCS application for you. Grant amounts and eligibility criteria are set by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and are subject to change. Contact us at your free site survey for current scheme details.
A: For home use, a 7kW single-phase smart charger is recommended in most cases. This will charge most electric vehicles overnight. If your home has three-phase electricity, a 22kW charger can be installed for faster charging. Sky Electrical will assess your home during the free site survey and recommend the best charger for your needs. Read our EV Charger guide here.
A: Yes, but it is not recommended for regular use. A standard 13A socket charges at around 2.3kW — significantly slower than a dedicated wallbox (7kW) and potentially dangerous if the socket or wiring is not designed for continuous heavy loads. Sky Electrical strongly recommends installing a dedicated home EV charger.
A: Home EV charger installations typically cost between £785 and £1,500 (exc. VAT) depending on your property and the charger model chosen. This includes the charger unit, all installation work, and required certification. Government grants of up to £350 may be available for eligible flats and rental properties. We also offer 0% APR finance with no deposit. Contact us for commercial premises for a free site visit and quote.
A: Most home EV charger installations are completed in 3–4 hours. Our OZEV approved electricians carry out a site survey to confirm requirements before installation. Commercial multi-bay installations typically take 1–3 days depending on the number of charge points and infrastructure required.
A: Smart EV chargers are not mandatory but are strongly recommended. They allow you to schedule charging to off-peak hours, significantly reducing charging costs. They also provide app control, usage monitoring, and are compatible with time-of-use electricity tariffs. Popular brands include Zappi, Ohme, Pod Point, and Wallbox. Read our EV Charging guide here.
A: In most cases, yes. Sky Electrical can assess your property and advise on the best solution. Options include installation on an external wall, inside a garage, or on a boundary wall. Each installation is assessed individually during our free site survey.
A: We install all leading home EV charger brands including Zappi, Ohme, Pod Point, Wallbox, and Hypervolt. We’re brand-independent, so we’ll recommend the best charger for your vehicle, home setup, and budget rather than pushing one manufacturer.
Pricing & Finance
A: Sky Electrical’s London rates are £125 + VAT for the first hour (callout) and £95 + VAT per subsequent hour. Surrey and local area rates are £97.50 + VAT callout and £85 + VAT per hour. For larger jobs, we provide a fixed-price quote after a free site visit.
A: Yes. We offer 0% APR finance for 3 to 24 months on qualifying electrical work, provided by Ideal4Finance (FCA regulated). No deposit is required and approval is typically fast. Finance options are available for both residential and commercial customers. See our Finance page for details.
A: Yes. All Sky Electrical workmanship is guaranteed for 6 years from completion. Parts and materials carry the manufacturer’s own warranty. Our NICEIC approval provides additional protection — all our certified work is backed by the NICEIC Platinum Promise.