Electrical Work Guides
NAPIT-certified electrical advice — EICR testing, consumer unit upgrades, rewires and landlord compliance. Written by working electricians across the North East.
8 articles in this category
Consumer Unit Upgrades for Solar and EV Chargers in Teesside
Consumer Unit Upgrades for Solar and EV Chargers in Teesside
Why many Teesside homes need a consumer unit upgrade before solar or EV installation — costs, what modern boards include, and how ALPS handles the combined project.
3 min read
All Electrical Articles
Finding a NAPIT or NICEIC Registered Electrician in Teesside
Why NAPIT and NICEIC registration matters when choosing an electrician in Teesside — and how to verify your contractor before any work begins.
3 min read
ElectricalYorkshire Electricians Going Renewable: Inside the 2026 Shift
More Yorkshire electrical firms are pivoting into solar, batteries and EV chargers. A local installer explains why, how, and what it means for homeowners.
4 min read
ElectricalDoncaster Electricians in 2026: Solar, Batteries and EV Under One Roof
A Doncaster electrical firm explains what it actually takes to deliver solar, batteries and EV chargers to one standard — and why most installers can't.
4 min read
ElectricalHouse Rewiring Costs in the UK: 2026 Complete Guide
How much does a full house rewire cost in the UK in 2026? A NAPIT-registered electrician breaks down rewiring costs by property size, what the work involves, and what to watch out for.
3 min read
ElectricalPart P Building Regulations for Homeowners: Complete 2026 Guide
What is Part P building regulations and what does it mean for your home electrical work? A NAPIT-registered electrician explains what requires notification, what doesn't, and how to stay legal.
4 min read
ElectricalConsumer Unit Upgrade: Do You Need One and What Does It Cost?
Complete guide to consumer unit upgrades in the UK. When you need one, what modern RCBO boards offer, costs and what to expect from the installation process.
3 min read
ElectricalEICR Testing for Landlords: Complete 2026 Guide
Everything landlords need to know about EICR testing in 2026. Legal requirements, what happens during the inspection, costs and what to do if you get a C2 or C1 code.
3 min read
Frequently Asked Electrical Questions
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is a comprehensive inspection of your property electrical wiring, consumer unit, earthing and bonding. Landlords are legally required to have an EICR every 5 years for rented properties. Homeowners are recommended to have one every 10 years or when buying a property. An EICR identifies any defects that could pose a safety risk.
A consumer unit (fuse board) upgrade typically costs between £450 and £800 depending on the number of circuits and complexity. This includes a new metal consumer unit with RCBO protection on every circuit, all reconnection work, minor earthing and bonding upgrades if needed, and an EICR on completion. A modern consumer unit is often required before installing EV chargers or solar panels.
The recommended intervals are: rental properties every 5 years (legal requirement), homeowner-occupied properties every 10 years, commercial properties every 5 years, and swimming pools/special locations annually. You should also have electrics tested when buying a property, after any flood or fire damage, or if you notice warning signs like flickering lights, burning smells or frequently tripping breakers.
We prioritise urgent electrical safety issues during our working hours (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 9am-2pm). If you have a complete power loss, burning smell, or other electrical emergency outside hours, call your electricity distributor (Northern Powergrid: 105) for supply issues, or contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible the next working day.
We cover the whole of Teesside (Middlesbrough, Stockton, Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar, Yarm, Thornaby, Eaglescliffe, Billingham, Ingleby Barwick, Guisborough), North East England (Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle, Gateshead), North Yorkshire (Northallerton, Stokesley, Thirsk, Ripon, Richmond, York), and parts of West and South Yorkshire.
Yes. ALPS Electrical is registered with NAPIT as a Registered Competent Person for electrical work. This means we are authorised to self-certify notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations without needing to involve Building Control. All our work is fully compliant and certified.