What we do
Light where a parent walks at night
A dark hall and a bulb out of reach cause as many trips as a loose rug. We light the route from the bed to the bathroom first.
Included in the visit
Change bulbs that are out of reach, and swap to a brighter, cooler one where it helps
Plug in night lights along the route to the bathroom
Add a motion light on the stairs, or at the cellar door
Test every smoke and carbon monoxide alarm and change the batteries
Mark the date on each alarm so nobody has to remember
Know before you book
What we do and what we leave to others
| Job | Leave to a licensed trade | We do |
|---|---|---|
| Bulbs | Leave to a licensed tradeWork on high fixtures that need a tall ladder | We doChange and upgrade bulbs reachable from a step stool |
| Fixtures | Leave to a licensed tradeRun new wires or add a new box | We doSwap a fixture for a like-for-like model on an existing box |
| Alarms | Leave to a licensed tradeWire or replace hard-wired alarms | We doTest and change batteries, replace a battery-powered unit |
| Outdoor lights | Leave to a licensed tradeAdd a new outdoor circuit | We doChange bulbs, fit a plug-in or battery light |
What changes the time
What makes a visit longer
More fixtures take more of the visit. A house with a long upstairs hall and a cellar can use the whole 90 minutes.
Alarms more than ten years old should be replaced, not re-battered. We tell you, and replace a battery-powered unit on the visit.
A light that needs new wiring goes to a licensed electrician.
How it goes
From the call to the report
- 01
Step 1: The route
We ask your parent to walk us from the bed to the bathroom in the dark, as they would at night.
- 02
Step 2: The bulbs
We change what is out or dim, and note the type so the right one is bought next time.
- 03
Step 3: The alarms
We test each alarm, change the batteries and write the date on it.
- 04
Step 4: The report
You get a list of what we changed and what needs an electrician.
Rules
What needs a licensed electrician
We do not open a panel, add a circuit or wire a fixture. Those go to a licensed electrician, and we can be there to point out what your parent needs.
An alarm that keeps sounding after a new battery, or a fixture that sparks or flickers, is an electrician's job.
Questions
Questions about this work
Do you install smoke alarms?
We test and change batteries, and replace a battery-powered unit on the day. Hard-wired alarms go to an electrician.
What bulbs do you use?
Common household bulbs that fit what is already there. We note the base and brightness in the report.
Will you set up smart bulbs?
Only if your parent wants them and can use the app or switch. We would rather leave a plain switch that always works.
Start with the hall to the bathroom
We call back by the end of the next business day.