double wall socket doesn't work, landing light keeps shorting and tripping the fuse

Lit_Up

Can somebody tell me what they think might be wrong here and how much a pro electrician in London might charge? thanks!

rrf494g

wall socket not working (assuming it used to work and no fuse blown/tripped)) is likely to be broken socket needing replacement.

what do you mean by lights "shorting"? If bulbs blow and trip/blow fuses too, this is not uncommon with cheap bulbs. If new bulbs work ok then likely no problem here.

rates of pay -well! - a fair skilled rate is £200 a full day, but self employed may have call-out minimums, travelling charges etc. You've got to ask a few what the charge basis will be. Ask if all work is certificated.

SailorSam

Did both faults come at the same time.
They should be on different circuits and so probably there'll be two faults.
The socket may not be faulty but it may only be a wire in it come loose.
Could be a similar loose wire on the landing light, does it short-out when you switch on just the downstairs switch or the upstairs as well.
Have you recently done any work that may have disturbed something, such as decorating
Unless you know what you're doing i wouldn't recommend you doing the work yourself, but if you do look don't forget to switch off all the power and pull the fuses first..