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Service Areas

EdinburghCity CentreEast LothianWest LothianLivingstonBordersGlasgow

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What areas do you cover?

We are based in Edinburgh and cover the city, East Lothian, West Lothian, Livingston, the Borders and out as far as Glasgow. If you are not sure whether your postcode is in our patch, give us a call on 07963 510635 and we will let you know on the phone.

Are you NAPIT registered?

Yes. Spartan Electrical Scotland is NAPIT registered, TrustMark approved and listed on the Registered Competent Person scheme. Every job is certified properly, lodged where it needs to be, and the paperwork is in your hands before we leave.

Time it takes to change a consumer unit

A standard domestic consumer unit upgrade takes 2 to 4 hours on site. That includes isolating the supply, swapping the unit, testing every circuit, bringing the installation back online and issuing the certificate. We confirm the timing in writing when we quote.

How long have you been trading?

Spartan Electrical Scotland Ltd was founded in October 2021 by Chris Reilly and Carlos Tomas Callado. Between them, Chris and Carlos bring more than 30 years of hands-on experience across domestic, commercial and industrial electrical work, and both hold the 18th Edition (BS7671) and SVQ Level 3 in Electrical and Technical Engineering.

Do you offer free quotes?

Yes. Every quote is free and there is no obligation. Chris or Carlos comes out, looks at the job, talks you through the options and emails you a fixed written quote. No deposits, no surprises on the day.

What payment methods do you accept?

Bank transfer is preferred, but we also accept all major credit and debit cards and cash. Payment is taken on completion for smaller jobs. On larger projects like rewires or solar installs we can agree staged payments at quote stage.

Are you insured?

Yes. We carry full public liability insurance up to £5 million. We can send you a copy of the schedule on request.

How much is a new consumer unit?

Most domestic consumer unit upgrades land between £650 and £1,200, depending on the number of circuits and any minor remedials uncovered during testing. The price is fixed in writing before we start.

Why should I upgrade an old fusebox?

Older fuseboxes typically have one RCD covering the whole house (or no RCD at all), no surge protection, and plastic enclosures that don't meet the current 18th Edition. A modern consumer unit gives every circuit its own RCBO, adds SPD surge protection, and uses a metal enclosure. A fault on one circuit no longer takes the whole house out, and your appliances are protected from grid spikes.

Will my power be off all day?

No. We isolate the supply only while the new unit is being fitted and the existing cables are transferred across (usually a couple of hours). Everything comes back on the same day in almost every case. We give you a heads-up the day before so you can plan around it.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. You get a Minor Works or Installation Certificate depending on the scope, the work is registered with NAPIT, and a copy goes to building control where required. That certificate is what landlords, insurers and solicitors will ask for.

What if you find other issues when you test?

If we spot anything dangerous (a C1) or potentially dangerous (C2) during testing, we stop, explain it clearly, and quote you for the remedial work before doing it. Nothing gets done that you haven't signed off on first.

What does a home EV charger cost to install?

A standard 7kW home charger install starts from around £900 supplied and fitted, depending on the brand of charger, the cable run from your consumer unit, and whether any supply upgrade is needed. We always do a load assessment first and quote in writing.

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

Not always, but sometimes. Most modern consumer units can take a dedicated EV circuit. If your board is older or already full, we will quote the upgrade as part of the install so you have one fixed price. We tell you up front, before the job starts.

How long does an EV charger install take?

Most domestic installs take 3 to 5 hours on site. Commercial multi-bay installs vary depending on supply availability and cable runs. We will give you a timeline at quote stage.

Do you do commercial EV chargers?

Yes. We have installed commercial chargers for fleets, multi-unit housing and small forecourts. We spec the supply, the unit count, the payment system and the back-office software around what you actually need. Get in touch for a site visit.

Which brands do you fit?

We are not tied to a single manufacturer. We typically fit the brands customers ask for (Ohme, EO, Easee, MyEnergi Zappi, Hypervolt and others), and we are happy to recommend a unit based on your car, your usage and your budget.

What is an EICR?

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is the documented inspection of your electrical installation. It tests insulation resistance, earth loop impedance, RCD operation and polarity, and visually inspects consumer units, accessories and cabling. The report categorises any issues C1 (danger), C2 (potential danger), C3 (improvement recommended) or FI (further investigation).

How often do I need an EICR?

Landlords in Scotland are required by law to have an EICR every 5 years and at the start of every new tenancy. Homeowners are advised every 10 years, or when buying, selling or refinancing. Commercial premises usually align the EICR with their H&S calendar, typically 5 years.

How much does an EICR cost?

EICR pricing starts from £180 for a small flat and scales with the property size and circuit count. Call or message us with the property type, number of bedrooms and rough age and we will give you a fixed price.

How long does an EICR take?

Typically 2 to 4 hours on site for a domestic property, longer for larger properties or commercial premises. We aim to test and report on the same visit so you have the certificate the next day.

What happens if my EICR is unsatisfactory?

If the report comes back unsatisfactory (a C1 or C2 finding), we explain exactly what the issue is, why it failed, and we quote you for the remedial work. Once remedials are completed and re-tested, we re-issue the certificate as 'Satisfactory'.

How long does a rewire take?

Most domestic rewires take 5 to 10 working days depending on the size of the property and whether it is occupied. You get a written programme on day one so you know which rooms are being worked on each day.

Do I have to move out during a rewire?

Not usually. We can phase the work room by room so you keep power and lighting in the rest of the house. For very large rewires or where floors need to come up extensively, it can be easier and cheaper if the property is empty. We will discuss it honestly at quote stage.

Do you do the making good (plastering, decorating)?

We work with reliable plasterers and decorators we trust, and we can manage them as part of the project if you want a single point of contact. If you have your own trades you prefer to use, we will coordinate with them at handover.

What does a rewire cost?

Rewires are priced per property because every layout is different. Cost depends on the number of bedrooms, the number of socket and switch positions, the consumer unit specification and any additional circuits (EV charger, garden lighting, outbuildings). We always quote in writing after a site visit.

Do you do partial rewires?

Yes. Sometimes only the lighting circuits, only the kitchen, or only a specific consumer unit upgrade is needed. We can spec partial rewires where that genuinely solves the problem, rather than upselling a full job that doesn't need to happen.

What does an electrical maintenance visit cost?

We quote per visit because the scope varies. A single fault diagnosis is different from a quarterly site inspection. For commercial sites we typically agree a monthly or quarterly maintenance plan that covers inspection, lamp replacements and small remedial work, with reactive call-outs included or charged at a discounted rate. Get in touch with the property type and what you want covered and we will scope it.

Do you offer emergency electrical call-outs?

Yes. We respond fast across Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Borders, Livingston and Glasgow. Same-day where possible, next-morning at the latest. Call 07963 510635 or WhatsApp the issue and we will let you know the soonest slot.

What kind of issues do you fix on a reactive visit?

Tripping circuits, loose neutrals, failed RCDs, flickering lights, dead sockets, fault finding on lighting circuits, and emergency lighting failures. We come out, diagnose, fix and certify on the same visit where the parts are standard. For non-standard parts we quote the supply and book the install.

How much does a solar PV system cost?

Domestic solar PV plus battery installs typically range from £6,000 to £14,000 depending on the panel count, the battery capacity and your roof access. We model the realistic generation, the realistic battery cycle behaviour and the payback period at today's tariffs before you commit, so the numbers are on paper before you decide.

How long does a solar install take?

Most domestic installs are completed in two to three days on the roof, plus a half day of commissioning. After commissioning we set up the monitoring app on your phone so you can see live generation and battery state. We are around for any tuning or maintenance you need afterwards.

Do I need planning permission for solar panels?

Almost never for domestic roof-mounted panels in Scotland. Permitted development covers most installations on standard houses. We confirm before the install and handle any building control notification on your behalf. Listed buildings and properties in conservation areas need a separate check.

Which battery brands do you fit?

We work mainly with GivEnergy systems because they have proven reliable and the warranty terms are sensible. We are not locked to a single brand. If a different system suits your property better, we will tell you and quote it instead.

How much will switching to LED save me?

LEDs typically draw around 80% less power than the equivalent halogen or incandescent fitting, so the energy saving is immediate. Commercial schemes typically pay back in 12 to 24 months. We quote the install and model the saving honestly so you can decide based on the real numbers, not marketing.

Can you do dimmable and smart LED lighting?

Yes. We design dimmable circuits where they make sense, integrate with smart home systems if that is what you want, and we are happy to keep it simple if a well-placed switch beats three apps. Domestic, commercial and retail schemes all start with understanding the space and how it is used before specifying the kit.

Do you do commercial and retail lighting schemes?

Yes. We design and install commercial, retail, hospitality and industrial lighting schemes across Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. Light levels, glare control, colour rendering, dimming protocols, emergency lighting compliance and operating cost are all on the table at design stage.