The Sandwich HandymanGardens, electrics, repairsSmall electrical jobs
Local help from Richard for everyday domestic electrical tasks and small home fixes, with clear communication and tidy work.
What this covers
Useful guide
Practical UK guidance on extending electrical wires using lever connectors or a junction box: matching cable sizes, sleeving the earth, and keeping joints accessible as required by BS 7671.
Read the extend short wires guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on choosing the right trunking size, cutting and fixing the channel, laying cables neatly, and getting a clean finish along skirting boards and walls.
Read the cable trunking guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to planning a festoon light run in the garden: choosing outdoor-rated fittings, fixing support points across a span, and connecting safely to an outdoor socket.
Read the garden festoon lights guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to fitting a smart light switch, including how to handle the no-neutral wire issue common in British homes, choosing a compatible switch, and setting up the app.
Read the smart light switch guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to wiring a fused connection unit (fused spur): identifying the circuit, connecting the supply and load sides, fitting the correct fuse, and testing safely.
Read the fused connection unit guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to replacing a bathroom ceiling light: understanding IP zones, choosing a correctly rated fitting, wiring safely, and when notification is needed.
Read the bathroom light guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to installing LED strips in ceiling coving or behind a picture rail: choosing the right strip, wiring the driver, and managing cables neatly for a clean indirect lighting effect.
Read the LED strip lights guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to assessing your roof, sizing the system, finding an MCS-certified installer, and what happens on installation day - including the Smart Export Guarantee.
Read the solar panels guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to OZEV grants, choosing a smart wallbox, what a registered installer will do, and what to expect from the commissioning process.
Read the EV charger guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to running a safe electrical supply to a garden shed: understanding the Building Regulations for electrical work, choosing between armoured cable and conduit, digging the trench, and connecting at the consumer unit.
Read the shed wiring guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to fitting wall lights: safely removing the old fitting, identifying wires, wiring the new backplate, and getting a neat finish.
Read the wall lights guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to installing a Tado smart thermostat yourself: wiring the receiver, fitting the thermostat head, and connecting the app.
Read the Tado thermostat guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to fitting a loft TV aerial: choosing the right type for your local transmitter, routing coaxial cable, making up connectors correctly, and getting a reliable Freeview signal.
Read the TV aerial guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to safely replacing a standard 13A plug socket with a USB socket: isolating the circuit, connecting the wires correctly, and testing.
Read the USB socket guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to replacing a bathroom pull cord switch safely: isolating the circuit, swapping the wiring over correctly, and testing before restoring power.
Read the pull cord switch guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to fitting a ceiling fan: checking the existing ceiling rose, turning off the power, wiring correctly, and setting the fan direction for summer cooling and winter efficiency.
Read the ceiling fan guideUseful guide
A practical UK guide to fitting a battery-powered carbon monoxide alarm: choosing the right position, mounting it safely, testing it, and understanding when it should sound.
Read the CO alarm guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on choosing the right LED strip colour temperature, cleaning cabinet undersides, fixing strips at the correct position, routing cables neatly, and connecting to a plug-in driver or fused spur.
Read the under-cabinet LED lighting guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on choosing a BS3621 5-lever lock, marking and drilling the mortice, chiselling the faceplate recess, drilling the keyhole, and marking and fitting the keep in the frame.
Read the mortice deadlock guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on choosing the right alarm type, positioning it correctly on the ceiling, drilling and fixing the base plate, connecting battery or mains supply, and testing.
Read the smoke alarm guideUseful guide
Step-by-step guidance on checking existing doorbell wiring, connecting the Ring unit, mounting the bracket, setting up the app, and adjusting motion zones for reliable home security.
Read the Ring doorbell guideUseful guide
A clear UK guide to the correct wire colour code, connecting live, neutral and earth to the right terminals, and fitting the correct fuse for the appliance.
Read the plug wiring guideUseful guide
Practical guidance on positioning a PIR floodlight for maximum coverage, wiring it safely, and setting the sensitivity and duration controls for reliable operation.
Read the security light guideUseful guide
Step-by-step guidance on safe isolation, wiring the Hive receiver at the boiler, pairing the thermostat to the hub, and setting up a heating schedule in the app.
Read the Hive thermostat guideUseful guide
Safe UK guidance on planning the layout, cutting plasterboard holes, checking for insulation above the ceiling, connecting the drivers correctly, and testing the circuit.
Read the LED downlights guideUseful guide
Safe UK guidance on isolating the circuit, checking lamp compatibility, transferring wires correctly, and testing the dimmer through its full range.
Read the dimmer switch guideUseful guide
Practical UK guidance on choosing the right fan for your bathroom zone, planning the duct route, isolating the circuit safely, and wiring the fan correctly for reliable ventilation.
Read the extractor fan guideUseful guide
Safe UK guidance on the Building Regulations for electrical work, choosing weatherproof fittings, routing cable safely, connecting up correctly, and testing before restoring power.
Read the outdoor socket guideUseful guide
Safe, step-by-step guidance on isolating the circuit, removing the old faceplate, connecting the wires correctly, and testing the new UK 3-pin socket.
Read the plug socket guideUseful guide
Safe isolation at the consumer unit, wire identification in UK colour codes, connecting to the new fitting, and testing the circuit before restoring power.
Read the ceiling light guideUseful guide
A practical step-by-step guide to safe isolation checks, swapping switch plates, and knowing when to call a qualified electrician.
Read the light switch guideUseful guide
A safe, simple check using the Test button on the consumer unit, plus what to do if the RCD does not trip or reset.
Read the RCD guideUseful guide
Practical steps for camera position, secure mounting, app setup, and getting useful alerts without constant false triggers.
Read the Eufy CCTV guide