What Is an Electrical Emergency?

Not every electrical problem is an emergency. True emergencies involve immediate danger or complete loss of power. Our emergency callout service covers:

Genuine Emergencies

Burning smell from electrics - Potential fire risk
Sparking sockets or switches - Immediate danger
Electric shock from appliance - Indicates dangerous fault
Complete power loss (after checking supply) - Total loss of essential services
Exposed live wires - Immediate danger to life
Smoke from consumer unit - Fire risk
Repeated tripping with no reset - May indicate serious fault

Non-Emergencies (Can Wait for Normal Appointment)

Single socket not working (other circuits fine)
Intermittent tripping that resets successfully
No power to outbuilding only
Light fitting not working
Adding new sockets or lights

What to Do Before Calling

1. Check It's Not a Power Cut

Look outside - are neighbours' lights on? Check the National Grid power cut map or call 105 (free from any phone).

2. Try Resetting Your Consumer Unit

If safe to do so, push any tripped switches firmly up. If they won't stay on, don't force them.

3. Unplug Everything

If the RCD keeps tripping, unplug all appliances from affected circuits.

4. Turn Off the Main Switch

If you smell burning or see sparks, turn off the main switch immediately and call us.

5. Do NOT

Try to repair anything yourself
Touch anything that's sparking or smoking
Use water on electrical fires
Reset tripped switches repeatedly

Our Emergency Callout Process

Step 1: Call Us

Phone 07758 135 486. If outside normal hours, leave a message or use WhatsApp. We aim to respond within 15 minutes.

Step 2: Phone Assessment

We'll ask questions to understand the situation and confirm it's a genuine emergency. Sometimes we can help you make safe over the phone.

Step 3: Dispatch

For genuine emergencies, we dispatch immediately. In Torquay and surrounding areas (Paignton, Babbacombe, St Marychurch, Brixham), we're typically 20-40 minutes away.

Step 4: Make Safe

Our first priority is making the situation safe. This might mean isolating circuits, disconnecting faulty equipment, or temporary repairs.

Step 5: Quote for Permanent Fix

Once safe, we assess what's needed for a permanent repair and provide a quote. This may be done immediately or scheduled for a follow-up visit.

Emergency Callout Costs in Torquay

Callout Fee

£75 - £95 (includes first hour)

Hourly Rate

£50 - £65 per hour after first hour

Materials

Charged at cost plus reasonable markup

When Callout Fees Apply

Emergency callout fees apply:

Weekday evenings (after 5pm)
Weekends (all day Saturday and Sunday)
Bank holidays
Christmas/New Year period

Normal working hours (8am-5pm weekdays), standard rates apply.

Areas We Cover for Emergency Callouts

From our Newton Abbot base, we cover Torquay and:

Immediate area (20 mins): Paignton, Brixham, Torquay town
Short drive (30 mins): Teignmouth, Dawlish, Totnes
Extended area (40 mins): Exeter, Ivybridge, Ashburton

Common Emergency Callouts in Torquay

Holiday Let Power Failure

Guest arrives to find no power. Often a tripped RCD or faulty appliance. We offer priority response for holiday let owners to minimise guest disruption.

Storm Damage

Lightning strikes and power surges can damage consumer units and appliances. We make safe and assess damage.

Water Damage

Leaks affecting electrical installations require immediate isolation. We work with plumbers and builders for restoration.

Consumer Unit Failure

Complete fuse board failures do happen, especially in older properties. We carry common boards for same-day replacement if needed.

Preventing Emergencies

Most electrical emergencies are preventable:

Regular EICR inspections catch problems early
Consumer unit upgrades add modern protection
Surge protection guards against lightning
Don't ignore warning signs - small problems become emergencies

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can you get to Torquay?

From our Newton Abbot base, typically 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and exact location.

Do you charge if it turns out to be nothing serious?

We charge a minimum callout fee for attending, but if we can resolve the issue quickly (like resetting a tripped RCD), we won't charge more than the callout.

Can you work through the night if needed?

Yes, if it's a genuine emergency. We'll stay until your property is safe.

What if I need parts you don't carry?

We make safe immediately, then source parts for the permanent fix. Common items we carry; specialist parts may require a follow-up visit.

Electrical emergency in Torquay? Call Grant's Electrical Solutions on 07758 135 486 for rapid response.

Emergency Electrician in Torquay: 24/7 Callouts and What to Expect