Can I fix a broken light switch myself?

bobbybobbo

I went to flick a light switch yesterday and the switchy bit cracked and popped out. I found a couple of bits of plastic and a spring. Whats left on the wall looks like this:

https://imgur.com/iTT7pM8

Is this a simple repair? Can I do it myself or do I need to call an electrician? If the latter, how much should I be charged for what I assume is a simple fix (I'm in London fyi).

Risteard

If you don't know what you are doing (which you don't, judging by your question) then you do indeed need to contact an Electrician.

bobbybobbo

Okay thanks. Thought it could just be a case of turning off the power at the fuse box and watching a YouTube video. But if it's not safe will get an electrician.

TheCyclingProgrammer

It’s a simple replacement job, especially if it’s just a one way switch. Buy a replacement switch, isolate power, remove old switch and install the new one. Wire new one in the same way as the old one.

If unsure about any of the above steps, contact an electrician. It’s a 5 minute job + testing but expect to pay a minimum callout fee plus the cost of a new switch.

J_B

bobbybobbo wrote: »

how much should I be charged for what I assume is a simple fix (I'm in London fyi).

Well, there's a discussion elsewhere on here about a £48 call out charge from a sparky - not sure if that was Landan currency or elsewhere!
There may be some sucking of air through teeth and shaking of heads and the mention of the C/X word!

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

It’s a simple replacement job, especially if it’s just a one way switch. Buy a replacement switch, isolate power, remove old switch and install the new one. Wire new one in the same way as the old one.

If unsure about any of the above steps, contact an electrician. It’s a 5 minute job + testing but expect to pay a minimum callout fee plus the cost of a new switch.

Take photos of where the wires are in the current switch before you disconnect anything.
Make sure you tighten up the cable fittings



Good luck ...

Mr.Generous

I'm guessing you mean replace rather than fix, it would be better getting someone who knows how to do it than learning on the job. It doesn't have to be an electrician just somebody competent. From your picture it looks like its a 1 gang switch, if the light it activates has only this switch its 1 way, if another switch also activates same lamp it's a 2 way. For simplicity just buy a new 1 gang 2 way switch, they work perfectly as 1 way if required and cost only a few pence more.

Must be loads of handy neighbors, workmates, handymen who would sort that out for a few quid. Some electricians would do it for next to nothing as its such a simple job, some wouldn't.

littlerock

I was quoted a £70 call out recently (job was to move a socket). They said they would have to safety test my house wiring before they would do the job . The call out charge was sight unseen and my wiring is in fact up to date. But there are lots of electrical safety regs now - to protect tenants in rented accommodation in particular - which means demand for electricians has risen and last year they were the highest paid trade skill.

My local handyman, who I also asked, said because of all the new regs he no longer did electrics and recommended an electrician who promised to get back to me but never did. I posted a job request in Mybuilder and got one reply in two weeks. Eventually I found someone via local lighting shop.

bobbybobbo

Thanks for all the replies! An update on this, I ended up watching a YouTube video and braving it myself. Just popped down to B&Q and bought a new switch (1 gang 2 way) and an electricity tester pen (voltage tester?). The rest was super easy. Just two wires in there, figured it out pretty quickly. Works like new and happy to have saved £50+ on an electrician! Thanks again!

SandraX

My husband replaced all of our switches quiet easy but in the house we have some newer wiring and older wiring which was confusing and two, three-way switches was very confusing but your pic looks like a single way switch.

Important that you not just the power off for the downstairs lights or stairs as we almost found out as the wiring is not always done to regulations so turn off all power at the fuse box.

I'm guessing in London you'd pay about 60 quid minimum - post your job on mybuilder and ask for an all-inclusive price in the vat - vat reg sparky maybe 70/80 quid

Beter safe than sorry, but looks like an easy job, 1-50 for the switch at scewfix and then your time - btw check the depth of the sockets.
ATB

AndyMc.....

SandraX wrote: »

My husband replaced all of our switches quiet easy but in the house we have some newer wiring and older wiring which was confusing and two, three-way switches was very confusing but your pic looks like a single way switch.

Important that you not just the power off for the downstairs lights or stairs as we almost found out as the wiring is not always done to regulations so turn off all power at the fuse box.

I'm guessing in London you'd pay about 60 quid minimum - post your job on mybuilder and ask for an all-inclusive price in the vat - vat reg sparky maybe 70/80 quid

Beter safe than sorry, but looks like an easy job, 1-50 for the switch at scewfix and then your time - btw check the depth of the sockets.
ATB

And you can tell that how?

missile

bobbybobbo wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies! An update on this, I ended up watching a YouTube video and braving it myself. Just popped down to B&Q and bought a new switch (1 gang 2 way) and an electricity tester pen (voltage tester?). The rest was super easy. Just two wires in there, figured it out pretty quickly. Works like new and happy to have saved £50+ on an electrician! Thanks again!

Well done :j