The bit most installers skip
Fitting the charger is the easy part. The part that matters is whether the house can actually support it, and it is where the volume installers cut corners because a proper assessment takes time.
- Incoming supply capacity — what the main fuse is rated at, and what else in the house draws heavily at the same time
- Earthing arrangement — most UK homes are PME, which needs specific provision for an outdoor charge point
- Board capacity — whether there is a spare way and whether the board is suitable at all
- Cable route — the difference between a neat job and a length of trunking across the front of the house
- Load management — where the supply is tight, a charger that throttles itself is far better than an upgraded main fuse
If someone quotes an EV charger over the phone without asking about your earthing arrangement or your main fuse, that tells you something about the installation you will get.
Choosing a charge point
Most 7kW home chargers do the same job. The differences that actually matter day to day:
- Tethered or untethered — a fixed cable is more convenient; a socket is tidier and futureproof if you change cars
- Tariff integration — if you are on an off-peak EV tariff, a charger that talks to it properly is worth having
- App quality — the thing you will actually interact with, and the thing that varies most
- Solar diversion — only relevant if you have PV, but worth specifying at the outset if you do
We are not tied to a manufacturer. If you have already chosen a unit we will fit it; if you want a recommendation it will be based on where you park and how you drive, not on a supplier relationship.
On price, honestly
Energy companies price installation very keenly because they make it back on the tariff. We are not going to pretend to compete with a subsidised offer, and if a cheap bundled installation suits you, take it.
Where an independent electrician is worth paying for is the assessment beforehand and the neatness afterwards — and, increasingly, fixing installations where neither happened. We get a steady amount of work putting right chargers fitted at speed by people who were never coming back.
Common questions
How long does installation take?
Half a day for a straightforward job where the parking is near the board. Longer runs, or work needing the board upgrading first, take longer.
Do I need my fuse box upgraded?
Sometimes. It depends on the existing board, whether there's a spare way, and the earthing arrangement. We check before quoting rather than discovering it on the day.
Can you fit a charger I've bought myself?
Yes. We'll tell you honestly if it's a poor fit for your supply before we fit it.
What if my supply isn't big enough?
Load management is usually the answer — a charger that reduces its draw when the house is busy. It's cheaper and quicker than upgrading the incoming supply.
Are there still grants available?
Grant schemes change regularly and eligibility has narrowed over the years, particularly for owner-occupied houses with driveways. We'll tell you what applies at the time you ask.
Can you fix an installation someone else did badly?
Yes, and we do a fair amount of it. We'll inspect what's there and tell you whether it needs correcting or replacing.
