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Getting spark to change out plug, dimmers, light switches

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  • 20-09-2016 10:43am
    #1
    NIMAN
    Registered Users Posts: 33,659 ✭✭✭✭


    I have approx a dozen single and double electrical sockets, light switches and dimmers I want to change from old white plastic to chrome.

    How much can I expect a spark to charge to change a dozen/per socket?

    I'm guessing it would be a very handy job for them.


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    #2
    ted1
    Registered Users Posts: 23,543 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    NIMAN wrote: »
    I have approx a dozen single and double electrical sockets, light switches and dimmers I want to change from old white plastic to chrome.

    How much can I expect a spark to charge to change a dozen/per socket?

    I'm guessing it would be a very handy job for them.
    It's a DIY job, just make sure that the chrome fitting is earthed


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    #3
    NIMAN
    Registered Users Posts: 33,659 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    ted1 wrote: »
    It's a DIY job, just make sure that the chrome fitting is earthed

    I was considering having a go, but I have always been afraid of doing DIY around electricity if I'm honest.


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    #4
    Sleepy
    Registered Users Posts: 24,255 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    It's very, very easy. Just make sure the switch is tripped and copy the wiring that's on the old plates when fitting the new ones.

    Shop around for the new switches / sockets. I've seen 300% price differentials on sockets between different builders providers, never mind the likes of Woodies / B&Q.


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    #5
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Sleepy wrote: »
    Shop around for the new switches / sockets. I've seen 300% price differentials on sockets between different builders providers, never mind the likes of Woodies / B&Q.

    +1

    we're in the process of switching from white plastic to chrome and the price range for sockets was anywhere between €6 and €40+ :eek:

    Be careful what you're buying too. A lot of the chrome fittings are cheap chrome-style metallic plastic rather than metal.


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    #6
    NIMAN
    Registered Users Posts: 33,659 ✭✭✭✭NIMAN


    I bought this range from Screwfix
    http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2-gang-sp-switched-plug-sockets-brushed-stainless-steel-pack-of-5/1772c
    very reasonable prices compared to some of those being charged.


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    #7
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    NIMAN wrote: »
    I bought this range from Screwfix
    http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-13a-2-gang-sp-switched-plug-sockets-brushed-stainless-steel-pack-of-5/1772c
    very reasonable prices compared to some of those being charged.

    Good price. We looked at screwfix but the polished chrome products had mixed reviews.

    I was trying to work out what our sparks charged to swap out all the old sockets/switches but unfortunately it was lumped in with a pile of other work we had done at the same time.


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    #8
    Sleepy
    Registered Users Posts: 24,255 ✭✭✭✭Sleepy


    Where did you go for the plates in the end Graham? Putting some brushed stainless steel switches and sockets into the kitchen is at the end of a very long list of jobs I have to do myself and I was planning to go with Screwfix when I get around to it...


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    #9
    Graham
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 17,642 Mod ✭✭✭✭Graham


    Sleepy wrote: »
    Where did you go for the plates in the end Graham? Putting some brushed stainless steel switches and sockets into the kitchen is at the end of a very long list of jobs I have to do myself and I was planning to go with Screwfix when I get around to it...

    After much much trial and error I ended up ordering from the Knightsbridge range on Amazon.co.uk

    They have brushed steel and polished chrome and they're solid metal plates. The range we chose is screwless so the plates just click on after fitting. We weren't particularly looking for screwless they just happened to be the most reasonably priced.


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