Outdoor socket advice in Exeter
Professional outdoor socket advice services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
30 mins - 1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Practical advice on getting power outdoors - what's involved, what it'll cost, and how to do it safely. I'll explain your options clearly and point you toward the right people to actually do the electrical work.
Wishing You Had Power In The Garden?
You've got big plans. Maybe it's lighting for the patio, power for the hot tub, or just somewhere to plug in the lawnmower without trailing a cable through the kitchen. But electrics are confusing, and you're not sure what's actually involved or whether it's even possible.
Good news: it's almost always doable. Let me explain what's what.
💡 Pro tip: Think about future needs too. Adding a double socket now costs barely more than a single, and you'll thank yourself later when you want Christmas lights AND the pressure washer running.
Why Get Advice Before Calling An Electrician?
Because electricians charge for their time, and five different electricians might give you five different solutions. Better to know what you actually need first:
| ✅ With Advice First | ❌ Going In Blind |
|---|---|
| Clear idea what you want before electrician arrives | Electrician decides for you (might not be cheapest option) |
| Realistic budget expectations | Sticker shock when quote arrives |
| Right questions to ask electricians | Accept first quote without understanding |
| Understanding of what's actually involved | Confusion about why it costs so much |
What You Get
🔧 The Advice Session
| We'll Cover | What You Learn |
|---|---|
| Your needs | What you want power for, where, how much you'll use it |
| Options | Surface cable, buried cable, overhead, or extending from house |
| Regulations | What needs Part P certification, what's safe, what's legal |
| Costs | Realistic ballpark for materials and electrician's time |
| Next steps | Who to call, what to ask for, what to expect |
📦 You're Left With
- Clear understanding of the project
- Realistic budget expectations
- Electrician recommendations
- Confidence to get quotes
Pricing Guide
| Service | Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Advice session | 30 mins - 1 hr | £60 |
Straightforward advice. If it turns into a bigger planning session or I need to do measurements/groundwork prep, we'd quote that separately.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ Hot tub or swim spa - needs proper power supply, not an extension lead
✅ Garden office or workshop - permanent outdoor structure needs permanent power
✅ Patio lighting - want it done properly with switches inside
✅ Electric mower/hedge trimmer - fed up with cables trailing everywhere
Why Choose Us for Outdoor socket advice in Exeter?
Clear explanation of your options
Realistic cost estimates for the work
Safety requirements explained properly
Recommendations for qualified electricians
What to Expect
Step 1: What Do You Actually Need?
We'll talk through what you're planning to run - lights, tools, hot tub, whatever. How much power it needs, how often you'll use it, where it needs to be.
Step 2: What Are The Options?
I'll explain the different ways to get power where you need it - from simple wall-mounted sockets to buried cables across the garden. Pros, cons, and rough costs for each.
Step 3: The Practical Stuff
What the regulations say, why it needs an electrician, what preparation work might help (like me digging the trench for buried cable to save electrician's time). I'll recommend trusted electricians who can quote the actual job.
🔧 DIY Tips
You can't DIY outdoor electrical installation (it's illegal without certification), but you CAN prepare:
🔧 Things you CAN do
- Dig trenches for buried cable (to electrician's specifications)
- Clear the route for cable runs
- Decide exactly where you want sockets positioned
- Mark out positions with spray paint or stakes
- Gather your thoughts on what you'll be powering
📐 Planning checklist
- List everything you want to plug in (now and in future)
- Mark preferred socket positions on a garden photo or drawing
- Measure distances from house to socket positions
- Note any obstacles (paths, drains, ponds, tree roots)
- Think about lighting - where would switches be most useful?
⚠️ Things you CANNOT do
- Install outdoor sockets yourself (unless you're Part P qualified)
- Run cable from indoor sockets to outdoor ones
- Use indoor sockets in outdoor locations
- Bury standard cable (needs armoured cable)
💡 Pro trick: Position outdoor sockets at about hip height - easier to use than bending down, and less likely to get covered in mud splash from the lawn.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
⚡ Part P regulations: Outdoor electrical work needs certification. DIY installation isn't just dangerous - it's illegal, and you'll have problems when you sell the house.
Combining with other work: If you're having paving, decking, or garden landscaping done, that's the perfect time to bury cables. Much easier than digging up finished paths later.
RCD protection is essential: All outdoor sockets must be on RCD protection (the thing that trips instantly if there's a fault). Modern consumer units have this built in, older ones might need upgrading.
Devon's weather: Our wet climate means outdoor electrics need to be properly waterproof. Cheap "weatherproof" sockets from the internet aren't good enough - you need proper IP66-rated kit that's designed for British weather.
Planning for the future: If you're running cable to the bottom of the garden for a socket, consider running two cables - one for power, one for network/security cameras. Costs peanuts more now, saves a fortune later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you actually install the outdoor socket yourself?
No - outdoor electrical work needs a qualified electrician who can test and certify it properly. But I can advise on what's possible, where it should go, and what it'll involve. Then I'll recommend electricians I trust to actually do the installation.
What's involved in fitting an outdoor socket?
Depends where it's going. Close to your house, it's usually a spur from an indoor socket with cable run through the wall. Further out in the garden needs either armoured cable buried underground or overhead cable on posts. An electrician can quote properly once they see it.
How much does outdoor socket installation cost?
Ballpark: £150-250 for a simple socket on an outside wall. £300-500+ for cable run across a garden to a shed or summerhouse. I'll give you realistic expectations, then the electrician can quote exactly.
Can I just use an extension lead instead?
For occasional use, yes - but it needs to be a proper outdoor-rated extension on an RCD protected socket. For permanent garden lighting, hot tubs, electric mowers etc, you really need a proper outdoor socket. Much safer and more convenient.
Do outdoor sockets need to be waterproof?
Yes - they need to be IP-rated weatherproof sockets with covers that keep water out. A standard indoor socket outside will fail quickly and is dangerous. The electrician will use the right kit.
Outdoor socket advice Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your outdoor socket advice job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Outdoor socket advice in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your outdoor socket advice job in Exeter today.