Frequently Asked Questions

As a nation we love to roll up our sleeves and get stuck in, but electrical work can cause serious harm to you and your property. If you are in any doubt, give us a call.

My hot water is not working. Who should I call first?

If it is visibly leaking, shut off the water and call a plumber. If hot water is not coming out of the tap, try leaving it overnight before calling an electrician.

We were once called to a house where the hot tap was only running cold. It turned out a hot tap had not been turned off properly and the cylinder was being emptied as fast as it was heating. Check all the taps in the house are off and test again the next day.

My lights are flickering. What should I do?

This might be a simple fix, or it could be a symptom of something bigger.

If it is a lamp plugged in at the wall, try turning off a few devices and see whether that makes a difference. The circuit may be overloaded, in which case spread your appliances out.

Check the bulb is in properly. It may be flickering because it is loose and does not have a good connection. Switch the light off, make sure the bulb is seated, and turn it back on. If it still flickers, try a new bulb.

If the lights are still flickering, call us. There may be a problem with the switch or the wiring, and it is easy enough for us to diagnose.

My appliance is not working. Can you help?

Two things first. Check the power point is switched on, then plug a different appliance into the same socket. If the second appliance works and the first does not, the problem is the appliance. If it is new, check the warranty and call the manufacturer.

If neither appliance works at that point, try them elsewhere in the house. If they work at other points, give us a call. We can find the fault and fix the socket.

What do I do if my stove is not working?

It helps if you describe the problem before we arrive so we know what to bring. Does the element work at all? If it never turns on it might be the controller or the element itself. If the element turns on but only goes to high, it is the controller.

Telling us which it is means we can usually bring the right part first time.

My waste disposal unit is not working. What do I do?

They often jam and trigger an overload button which shuts the appliance off. Unplug it, clear the blockage, plug it back in and press the overload button on the bottom of the unit. If you are not sure how to do any of that, give us a call. If it still does not work after resetting, check the warranty and call the manufacturer.

The sockets on the side of my oven are not working. Why?

Oven fuses are not made to handle high current. They are fine for a jug or a toaster, but running more than one appliance at once will blow the fuse. We can change them, just give us a call.

How many electricians does it take to change a lightbulb?

None. You do not need an electrician to change a lightbulb, but we are happy to help. Switch the light off at the wall first. If a bulb from elsewhere in the house will not light either, or your bulbs are blowing regularly, call us. That usually points to a wiring fault.

Are there any electrical problems you cannot handle?

We like to think not, whether the job is domestic, commercial or industrial.

Do you charge for a quote?

No. Quotes are free and there is no obligation.

Are you Master Electricians?

Yes. That means residential work is covered by the $20,000 Master Electricians workmanship guarantee.

What areas do you cover?

Christchurch and the wider Canterbury region, including Rolleston, Rangiora, Woodend, West Melton, Lincoln and the surrounding rural areas.