New sockets and switches: what you can and cannot do yourself

What does the job involve?

The job can be anything from replacing a couple of worn light switches to running new sockets in a kitchen, an office or outdoors. The electrician assesses whether the existing circuits are sufficient, runs new cable concealed or surface-mounted, fits boxes and sockets, and checks that everything is correctly connected and protected.

Common jobs include more sockets in rooms that have too few, earthed sockets in older houses, outdoor sockets for the garden or engine heaters, USB sockets, dimmers and two-way switching where the same light is controlled from two places.

What can you do yourself?

As a private individual you are allowed to carry out certain simpler electrical tasks in an existing installation, for example replacing a wall socket or a switch with an equivalent one. Elsäkerhetsverket has information about exactly what applies, and it is wise to read it before you start.

What you may not do yourself includes running new cables, fitting new sockets where there were none, working in the consumer unit or replacing an unearthed socket with an earthed one. An earthed socket requires a protective conductor all the way back to the consumer unit; otherwise it gives a false sense of security and can be directly dangerous. Such work must be carried out by a registered electrical installation company.

What affects the price?

Small jobs are often charged by the hour plus materials and any call-out charge, while larger jobs can be given a fixed price. Ask for a quote and ask how the price is made up. Factors that affect it:

• The number of sockets and switches.
• Concealed wiring in the wall versus surface-mounted trunking.
• Wall material, for example concrete, brick or plasterboard.
• Whether the existing circuits are sufficient or new ones must be run from the consumer unit.
• Whether the existing installation lacks RCDs or a protective earth.
• Outdoor sockets that need extra protection against moisture.

Preparation and things to consider

Walk through the rooms and mark where you want sockets. Think about where the furniture will go, where the TV and computer will be, where you charge phones and whether you will need outdoor sockets. It is cheaper to add a few extra sockets at the same time than to call the electrician back later.

Kitchens and bathrooms have special requirements for placement and protection, and in bathrooms there are rules on distances from the bath and shower. Let the electrician plan the placement so that it complies with current rules.

ROT deduction

Electrical work in an existing home, such as running new sockets and replacing switches, can qualify for a ROT deduction of 30 % of the labour cost. ROT and RUT combined may total no more than SEK 75,000 per person per year, of which no more than SEK 50,000 may be ROT. Materials and call-out charges do not qualify, and new builds do not normally qualify for ROT. Ask the company to specify the labour cost separately.

What the quote should include

• Number of sockets, switches and boxes, and their type (earthed, dimmers, outdoor sockets).
• Whether the wiring is concealed or surface-mounted.
• Whether new circuits or RCDs are included.
• Who is responsible for drilling, filling and any painting afterwards.
• Labour and materials separately, plus the ROT deduction.
• How the work is documented.

Questions to ask and common mistakes

Ask whether the company is registered with Elsäkerhetsverket, whether they see any shortcomings in your existing installation and whether they recommend an RCD if you do not have one. Also ask what happens if the walls turn out to be harder to work in than expected.

Common mistakes are using extension leads and multi-plug adapters as a permanent solution, replacing sockets with earthed ones without a protective conductor, and forgetting outdoor sockets until the facade has been painted.

Getting quotes via Fixtorget

Describe how many sockets or switches you need, in which rooms, and ideally include photos of your consumer unit. The companies that buy your job can ask questions in the chat, and you can see whether they have the Verified by Fixtorget badge and reviewed liability insurance before you choose.

Frequently asked questions