A day of varied domestic electrical work at a residential property in Goonhavern, covering socket upgrades, light fitting replacements, a thermostatic electric towel rail installation, and general circuit tidying - the kind of multi-task visit that makes a real difference to how a home functions day to day.
There’s a certain satisfaction in a day where the jobs are varied and each one makes a tangible difference to how a home works. This visit to a residential property in Goonhavern was exactly that – a full schedule of domestic electrical alterations covering several rooms, from a simple circuit tidy in the kitchen through to a new thermostatic towel rail in the bathroom and additional socket capacity in the bedroom.
Kitchen and Loft – Removing a High-Level Socket Outlet
The starting point was the kitchen, where a redundant 1-gang socket outlet had been installed at high level. Rather than leaving it in place, the decision was made to remove the outlet and fit a blanking plate over the recessed back box – a clean finish that removes the temptation to use a socket that wasn’t ideally positioned. The associated cabling was traced back and safely terminated in the loft space above, so nothing is left live and abandoned in the fabric of the building. It’s a small job on paper, but tidying up redundant wiring is good practice – things left connected and unused can become a source of confusion down the line.
Dining Area – New Recessed Double Socket from the Garage Consumer Unit
Adding a double socket outlet to the dining area, positioned adjacent to the entrance from the garage, was a more involved piece of work. Rather than extending an existing ring main or running a spur through finished walls, the supply was taken directly from the consumer unit in the garage. The new cabling was surface-clipped at high level across the garage to keep the route clean and accessible, before being brought through to serve the recessed double socket on the dining area side. Taking the supply from the garage consumer unit kept disruption to a minimum while giving the new outlet a dedicated, well-managed source.
Garage – Light Fitting Replacement
The existing fluorescent tube fitting in the garage had reached the end of its useful life, so it was swapped out for a new 6-inch pendant fitting. Fluorescent fittings can become unreliable over time – starters fail, tubes flicker, and eventually they become more trouble than they’re worth. The pendant replacement keeps the space lit without overcomplicating things, and it’s a straightforward upgrade that makes the garage a more usable space day to day.
Living Room – Socket Upgrade from 1-Gang to 2-Gang
In the living room, a single 1-gang socket outlet sitting next to the radiator was limiting. Replacing it with a 2-gang unit means more flexibility for the homeowner, but on a masonry wall it’s not just a case of swapping faceplates. The existing single back box was too shallow and too small to accommodate the larger 2-gang unit, so the wall was chased out to accept the new, deeper recessed metal back box. Once the new box was properly seated and secured, the 2-gang socket was fitted, giving a flush, tidy finish that looks like it was always meant to be there.
Bathroom – Thermostatic Towel Rail Replacement
Replacing the existing faulty towel rail was one of the more straightforward jobs of the day in terms of access, though getting the specification right matters. The replacement is a straight chrome unit measuring 1200mm x 500mm, fitted with thermostatic controls. The thermostatic function means the rail can be set to maintain a target temperature rather than running at full output constantly – useful for managing running costs and keeping towels warm without the rail becoming excessively hot. The new unit connects to the existing electrical supply in the bathroom, with the work carried out to suit the IP requirements of the zone.
Bathroom – IP-Rated Ceiling Light Replacement
While in the bathroom, the existing ceiling light fitting was also replaced. Bathroom lighting needs to meet specific IP ratings to be safe in a room with moisture and steam, and older fittings don’t always keep pace with what’s available now in terms of both compliance and quality. The replacement is a round bulkhead fitting suited to bathroom use – a clean, practical choice that does the job without fuss.
Master Bedroom – Surface-Mounted Double Socket
The final job of the day was adding a double socket outlet in the master bedroom, positioned on the near side of the bed. Rather than channelling into the masonry wall – which would have added time and meant making good the wall finish afterwards – the new socket was surface-mounted and the cabling routed neatly within 25mm PVC surface trunking. It’s a practical approach that avoids unnecessary disruption and still gives a tidy, finished result. For bedside charging and lamp connections, having a socket in the right place makes a difference, and the trunking-routed installation keeps things looking intentional rather than makeshift.
Across the day in Goonhavern, the work covered a good cross-section of what domestic electrical alterations tend to look like in practice – a mix of replacements, upgrades, new circuits, and tidy-ups, each one approached methodically and finished properly.
