A comprehensive update across three floors of a St Austell property saw standard white plastic accessories replaced with modern satin chrome fittings. The work covered everything from standard switches and sockets to fan isolators, internet outlets, and new USB charging points, alongside the installation of several client-supplied pendant lights and an additional kitchen light fitting.
This property in St Austell was undergoing a visual refresh, and the existing electrical accessories were next on the list. The standard white plastic switches and sockets fitted throughout the house were functional but dated. The client wanted to move to a consistent, contemporary satin chrome finish across all three floors, tying the electrical fittings into the wider aesthetic changes happening in the home.
Swapping plastic faceplates for metal ones is a common request, but it changes the technical requirements of the installation. White plastic accessories do not conduct electricity, whereas metal plates do. This means every single replacement requires a verified earth connection to be safe. When moving room to room, the wiring at each point has to be assessed. If the existing metal back boxes lack an earth tail connecting them to the faceplate, one has to be made off and installed. The circuit’s protective conductor must be checked at every switch and socket to confirm continuity. It is a process that takes longer than a simple like-for-like plastic swap, but it is a fundamental safety requirement when introducing conductive materials to the face of an electrical point.
The ground floor involved changes across several rooms. In the hallway, the main two-gang socket and the single switch controlling the outside light were swapped. The living room required a new standard switch alongside a dimmable switch. Installing a dimmer with modern lighting often means checking the load and compatibility of the lamps being used to prevent flickering, especially when metal faceplates are involved. While working in the living space, two client-supplied pendant light fittings were also hung to replace the existing units. The ground floor WC was updated with a new matching switch and a fan isolator.
In the kitchen, the main two-gang switch was swapped for a satin chrome equivalent, and another client-supplied pendant was installed. While the work was actively taking place, the client asked if an additional light fitting could be added to the kitchen layout. Because the ceiling routes were accessible and the necessary tools were already on site, this extra supply was run and the new fitting installed without needing to schedule a separate visit.
Beyond standard plug sockets, the client chose to integrate more modern charging options into the setup. Four of the double sockets were upgraded to units featuring built-in USB A and USB C ports. This is a highly practical choice for heavily used areas like living rooms or home offices. Having both older and newer USB standards available directly at the wall frees up the three-pin sockets for heavier appliances and removes the need for bulky adapter blocks. To maintain the consistent look, other data and utility points were also replaced with matching satin chrome units. This included a TV aerial outlet, a switched fused spur, and two internet outlets.
The work continued up onto the first floor. The landing received a new two-gang switch and a two-gang socket. Inside the bathroom, a single switch, a fan isolator, and a shaver point were all swapped out. Shaver points require a specific type of fitting with an isolating transformer built into the unit, and sourcing these in decorative finishes like satin chrome ties the whole bathroom design together nicely. Both the main bedroom and the second bedroom were fitted with new single switches, and a final client-supplied pendant light was hung in the second bedroom.
The top floor followed the same pattern to complete the property-wide update. The second-floor landing was equipped with a matching two-gang switch and socket. A fan isolator was replaced in the upstairs bathroom, and the final two bedrooms each received new single switches. All the old plastic fittings and packaging were cleared away, leaving a uniform finish across every room.
