Most electrical faults are not emergencies. They are the RCD that trips every few days, the bedroom sockets that went dead after a storm, the dimmer that hums or the light that flickers when the oven comes on. They are easy to live with until they are not, and they rarely fix themselves.
This page is about planned repairs: how we find the cause, what you can check yourself first, and when a repair turns into a bigger job. If you have a burning smell, sparks or a breaker that will not stay on, treat it as urgent and see our emergency electrician page instead.
Pricing: a free quote and a fixed price agreed before we start. You get a written, itemised quote, and small jobs can be quoted from photos.
Burning smell, sparking, a shock or no power at all? Do not wait for a booking. See emergency electrician.
Common faults we fix
The same handful of faults make up most repair calls in Auckland homes. Many trace back to a loose connection, a worn switch, a failing appliance or water getting in somewhere it should not. Some point to older wiring or a switchboard that has reached its limit.
We test before we replace anything, so you pay for the fix that solves the problem rather than a string of parts that might.
- RCD or circuit breaker that trips without an obvious reason
- Dead power points or a whole circuit with no power
- Flickering, buzzing or dimming lights
- Faulty switches, dimmers and light fittings
- Hot water cylinder elements and thermostats
- Intermittent faults that come and go with the weather
An RCD that keeps tripping: what to try first
An RCD switches off when it detects current leaking to earth, which is exactly what it is there for. A simple first check is to unplug everything on the affected circuits, reset the RCD, then plug appliances back in one at a time. If it trips when one particular appliance goes on, that appliance is the likely culprit. WorkSafe says an appliance that repeatedly trips a circuit breaker should be disconnected and repaired by a licensed worker, or replaced.
If it trips with nothing plugged in, or keeps tripping however you test it, WorkSafe's advice is to call a licensed electrician. Common causes we find are moisture in an outdoor socket or light, a failing element in a cylinder or oven, damaged cable, or several small leakages adding up on one RCD.
How It Works
How we trace a fault
Fault finding is methodical. We start with what you have noticed and when it happens, then isolate circuits at the switchboard and test them. Insulation resistance testing shows whether a cable is breaking down, and loop and polarity tests confirm that each circuit is wired and protected correctly.
Intermittent faults take the most skill. A fault that only appears in heavy rain or when the heat pump starts needs to be caught in the act or narrowed down circuit by circuit. We explain what we found in plain terms and show you the faulty part where we can.
Repairs, compliance and your paperwork
WorkSafe says a Certificate of Compliance is not issued for maintenance work, such as replacing sockets and light fittings or repairing appliances. If a repair involves new fixed wiring, such as replacing a damaged cable run or adding a circuit, you get a Certificate of Compliance for that work.
Old installations do not have to be brought up to today's standard just because something is repaired. WorkSafe's guidance on the 2025 regulation changes says existing installations can continue and be repaired as long as they are not unsafe. Only the parts that are added or altered must meet the current standard.
When a repair becomes a bigger job
Sometimes testing shows the fault is a symptom rather than the cause. Rubber insulated cable that crumbles when touched, a fuse board with nowhere to add an RCD, or repeated faults on the same circuit all suggest that patching it again is poor value.
When that happens we tell you, show you the evidence and price both options: the repair that gets you going today and the longer fix. You choose. Our switchboard upgrades and rewiring pages explain those larger jobs.
What you can legally fix yourself
The Electricity (Safety) Regulations let homeowners do some limited work on their own home, such as replacing fuse links, sockets, switches and light fittings, provided the work does not involve the switchboard and is tested to the code of practice. Legal is not the same as safe, though.
If the wiring behind the faceplate is old rubber cable, if anything is scorched, or if the fault comes back, stop and call a licensed electrician. Landlords should note that WorkSafe says you must own and live in the property to do this work yourself.
Why Choose Cheeky's Electrical for Electrical Repairs
Test first, replace second
We find the cause with proper instruments before swapping parts, so you are not paying for guesses.
Small jobs quoted from photos
Send a photo of the faulty switch, socket or board and we can often give you a fixed price before we visit.
Both options, honestly priced
If a repair is only a patch, we price the quick fix and the proper fix side by side and let you decide.
Free safety check while we are there
We test your RCDs and look over the switchboard on every repair visit.
Electrical Repairs FAQs
Why does my RCD keep tripping?
Usually an appliance leaking current to earth, moisture in an outdoor fitting, a failing element or damaged cable. Unplug everything, reset it and add appliances back one at a time. If that does not find it, call us.
Why do my lights flicker?
Common causes are a loose connection, an incompatible dimmer and LED combination, or a heavy appliance starting on the same supply. If flickering comes with buzzing or heat, treat it as urgent.
Some of my power points stopped working. What should I check?
Look for a tripped breaker or RCD at the switchboard and try resetting it once. If it will not reset, or the sockets are still dead, the fault needs testing.
Do I get a Certificate of Compliance for a repair?
Not for straight maintenance such as replacing a socket or light fitting. You do for new fixed wiring work, such as a replacement cable run.
Will you make me upgrade everything?
No. Existing installations can stay and be repaired as long as they are safe. We will tell you if something is unsafe, but the choice is yours.
Can you fix my hot water cylinder?
Yes. We test and replace electric elements and thermostats. If the cylinder itself is leaking, that is a plumber's job.
Electrical Repairs Near You
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