Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers about rewires, EV chargers, EICRs and fuse boards

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What areas do you cover?

We're based in Newport and cover Cardiff, Bristol, Caldicot, Chepstow, Usk, Monmouth, Abergavenny and the surrounding areas. For larger projects we can travel further, so if you're not sure, call 07903 410887 and we'll let you know.

How long have you been trading?

PowerOn Electrical Engineering Ltd was founded in March 2025 by Dan Payne, who has more than seven years of experience in the electrical industry. Dan leads the business, working alongside his apprentice Jack.

Are you NAPIT registered?

Yes. We're NAPIT registered, 18th Edition qualified and fully insured, and all of our work is tested and certified to current wiring regulations. You'll receive the right electrical certificate for every job we complete.

Do you offer emergency call-outs?

Yes. We offer a 24/7 emergency call-out service for power loss, tripping circuits, burning smells and other urgent faults. Our standard hours are Monday to Friday 08:00 to 19:00 and Saturday 08:00 to 12:00. For an emergency, call 07903 410887 at any time.

Do you guarantee your work?

Yes. All of our workmanship is guaranteed for 12 months. If anything we've installed isn't right, get in touch and we'll come back and put it right.

Do you offer free quotes?

Yes. Quotes and site surveys are free and there's no obligation. We'll look at the job, explain what's needed and give you a clear, fixed price with no hidden surprises.

How do I pay?

Payment is due on the day the work is completed, unless a payment term has been agreed in writing beforehand. You can pay by bank transfer, or Dan can send you a secure payment link on WhatsApp.

How do I know if my house needs a full rewire, and how much disruption will it cause?

You probably need a rewire if your wiring hasn't been updated in around 25 to 30 years, you still have an old fuse box with rewireable fuses, or you're getting breakers tripping regularly, or burning smells near sockets and other accessories. A rewire replaces the cabling, back boxes, light fittings and sockets, and upgrades the consumer unit, done in a first fix and a second fix. It may involve chasing cables into walls and/or installing PVC trunking, working with and around other trades, pulling in new cables and lifting floorboards, so there is noise and dust. Most rewires take between 5 and 10 working days depending on the size of the property. A full EICR is recommended before going ahead if you are unsure whether or not you need a full rewire.

Why is it a good idea to rewire my kitchen if I'm getting a new one installed?

Once new units, worktops and splashbacks are in, electrical changes become far harder, messier and more expensive. Rewiring first lets you put sockets, USB points and appliance outlets exactly where you need them, gives induction hobs and double ovens the dedicated circuits they need, makes room for under-cabinet and feature lighting, and brings in modern RCD or AFDD protection. It also means nobody has to chase into your new walls later.

Do I need to move out while my house is being rewired?

You don't have to, but it can be hard going. We lift floorboards, chase into walls and need the power off for periods of the day. We work room by room and keep essential power on overnight wherever we can, but many people find it less stressful to stay with family or friends during the heaviest few days.

Will you fix the walls and re-plaster after rewiring?

Fine finishing, skimming and painting aren't part of standard electrical work. We can fill the cable chases with a base filler (bonding coat) for an extra cost, and for full re-plastering we work with trusted local plasterers we're happy to recommend, so your walls are left ready for decorating.

How much does a full house rewire cost?

Our full house rewires start from £4,000 including VAT.

As a general guide:
1–2 bedroom property: £4,000–£5,500
3–4 bedroom property: £5,500–£9,000+
Larger properties: Pricing will vary depending on the size, layout and electrical requirements.

Every property is different, so the final cost will depend on the specification and the finish you require. An empty property will generally be quicker and more cost-effective to rewire than an occupied home. Additional requirements such as extra sockets, USB charging points, outdoor lighting, smart controls, multiple circuits, decorative accessories or electric underfloor heating can also affect the overall price.

A standard rewire will typically be more cost-effective than a rewire with a higher level of customisation and additional electrical installations.

At PowerOn Electrical Engineering Ltd, we provide a free site survey before any work is agreed. We'll assess the property, discuss your requirements and provide you with a clear, fixed quotation, so you know exactly what is included before proceeding.

We supply and install high-quality electrical materials and components, selected for reliability, safety and long-term performance. All our full rewires are also covered by a 12-month workmanship guarantee for your peace of mind.

Looking for a reliable electrician to rewire your home? Get in touch with PowerOn Electrical Engineering Ltd today to arrange your free, no-obligation survey and quotation.

Can I plug my EV into a standard 3-pin household socket instead of installing a dedicated charger?

You can, but it isn't recommended for everyday use. A 3-pin socket charges at just 2.3kW, which can take 18 to 24 hours to fill a modern EV battery, and long, heavy loads risk overheating domestic wiring. A dedicated 7kW charger is roughly three times faster, usually 6 to 8 hours overnight, with built-in safety controls designed for continuous high current.

What is involved in installing a home EV charger?

First we check your main fuse, consumer unit and parking layout to confirm your home can support a 7kW charger. Then we wall-mount the unit where you park and run a neat cable back to your consumer unit. The power goes off for 30 to 60 minutes while we connect a dedicated protective device and test the circuit. Finally we connect the charger to your Wi-Fi, pair the app, run a test charge and issue your electrical safety certificate.

What is the best EV charger on the market to install?

It depends on your setup. For the lowest bills, an Ohme links with smart tariffs like Intelligent Octopus Go and charges during the cheapest overnight rates. With solar panels, a myenergi zappi can divert surplus solar straight into your car. For a compact, minimal look, the Easee One or Zaptec Go are excellent. We'll recommend the best fit for your home, tariff and car.

How much does a home EV charger cost to install?

A standard home EV charger installation costs £850 to £1,200 inc. VAT. Longer or more complex cable runs may cost more, which we confirm after a site survey. Commercial and industrial fast chargers are £1,500 to £4,000 per unit for a single socket and £2,500 to £5,000 per unit for a dual socket.

Will I need to upgrade my consumer unit for an EV charger?

Not necessarily. While we can upgrade your existing consumer unit where required, there are also other suitable solutions depending on the existing installation.

An EV charger requires its own dedicated and suitably protected circuit. Some older consumer units may not have enough space, may be PVC-cased, or may lack the appropriate protection, such as suitable Type A RCD protection, to accommodate a new EV charging circuit.

Where appropriate, we can install a dedicated sub-main consumer unit specifically for the EV charger. This provides the required protection while avoiding unnecessary alterations to your existing house consumer unit.

As part of our pre-installation assessment, we inspect your existing electrical installation and determine the most suitable solution for your property. If any upgrades or additional works are required, we'll explain this clearly and include everything in your quotation before any work begins.

This means you'll know exactly what is required, with no unexpected costs or surprises on the day of installation.

How much does an EICR cost?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for a 3-bedroom house starts from £150 including VAT.

The final price will depend on the size and complexity of the electrical installation, including the number of circuits, consumer units and electrical accessories within the property. If previous electrical certificates or documentation are available, these can also help us understand the existing installation and may reduce the time required on site.

Our EICR price includes the full inspection and testing of the electrical installation, together with the completed EICR report.

If we identify any issues during the inspection, these will be recorded using the appropriate observation code, such as C1 (Danger Present), C2 (Potentially Dangerous), C3 (Improvement Recommended) or FI (Further Investigation Required).

Any remedial works or further investigation required following the EICR are not included in the inspection price. Where work is recommended or the installation is deemed unsatisfactory, we can provide you with a separate, clear quotation outlining the required works and associated costs.

Get in touch today to arrange your EICR and receive a clear, upfront quotation.

What is involved in an EICR?

An EICR is an in-depth safety check of your fixed wiring, consumer unit, sockets and light fittings, usually taking 2 to 4 hours. We visually inspect for wear, damage and outdated wiring, carry out live and dead testing to check earthing, fault protection and safety devices, then issue an official report rated Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. The power will need to go off briefly during testing.

How often do I need an EICR?

Landlords in England and Wales need an EICR at least every five years, or sooner if the previous report recommends it. For owner-occupied homes, every ten years is recommended, and it's well worth having one when you buy a property or if your electrics are showing their age.

What do the C1, C2 and C3 codes mean?

C1 means danger is present and needs putting right immediately. C2 means potentially dangerous and needs urgent attention. C3 means improvement is recommended but it isn't a safety failure. Any C1 or C2, or an FI (further investigation) code, makes the report Unsatisfactory until the work is done.

Can you fix any problems the EICR finds?

Yes. If the inspection finds anything that needs attention, we'll explain it in plain English and give you a separate quote for the remedial work. Once it's done, we can issue the paperwork you need to show the installation is safe.

What is a consumer unit upgrade?

A consumer unit upgrade replaces your existing fuse board with a modern unit, giving you better protection and more capacity for your electrical system.

How do I know if my consumer unit needs upgrading?

If your fuse board is old, has no RCD or RCBO protection, shows signs of damage or overheating, or has been flagged on an EICR, it's probably time for an upgrade.

How much does a consumer unit upgrade cost?

Every installation is different, so we'll assess your system and give you a clear, competitive quote. A standard domestic upgrade with RCBOs, a Type 2 surge protection device, 25mm² tails and a 16mm² main earth is typically £600 to £900. A commercial three-phase board with RCBOs, MCBs, Type 2 SPD and correctly sized tails and earthing is typically £1,200 to £6,000+.

Thinking about upgrading your consumer unit? Protect your home with a modern, professionally installed consumer unit?

Call PowerOn Electrical on 07903 410887 or request a free quote online, and we'll come and take a look at your existing board.

Will my electrics be tested afterwards? Will upgrading my consumer unit bring my whole house up to current regulations?

We fully test the installation after every upgrade and provide the right electrical certification. A new consumer unit improves your protection, but it won't necessarily bring existing circuits up to current regulations. We'll identify anything that needs attention and advise you on putting it right before we issue the certificate for the work.