Frequently Asked Questions

Our plumbers are experienced in fixing all types of water leaks — from dripping taps and leaking pipes to burst pipes, radiator leaks, and concealed leaks within walls or floors. We carry specialist leak-detection equipment so we can locate hidden leaks without unnecessary damage to your property.

Yes, our Gas Safe registered engineers are trained to service and repair all major boiler brands including Worcester Bosch, Vaillant, Baxi, Ideal, Potterton, Glow-worm, Viessmann, and many more. We can also carry out new boiler installations and like-for-like replacements.

For plumbing emergencies such as burst pipes, severe leaks, or loss of water supply, our 24/7 emergency team is available every day of the year — including bank holidays. We aim to have an emergency plumber with you within 60 minutes in most urban areas. Call 0800 123 4567 and select the emergency option.

A standard annual boiler service typically takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour. During this time our Gas Safe engineer will inspect the boiler, clean key components, test safety devices, check flue integrity, and issue a service report. If any faults are identified, we'll provide a quote for repairs on the spot.

Absolutely. We handle all types of drain blockages including kitchen sinks, bathroom drains, toilets, external drains, and main sewer connections. We use high-pressure water jetting, CCTV drain surveys, and manual rodding depending on the severity of the blockage. We can also provide preventative drain treatments.

All plumbing work carried out by SwiftFix is covered by our 12-month workmanship guarantee. New boiler installations also carry the manufacturer's guarantee (typically 2–10 years depending on brand and model). Parts fitted are covered by the manufacturer's standard parts warranty.

Yes. All SwiftFix electricians are registered with NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) or NAPIT, which are the UK's leading electrical competency schemes. This means they are qualified to self-certify their work without the need for building control approval, and their work meets the latest BS 7671 wiring regulations.

Part P is the section of the UK Building Regulations that applies to electrical installations in dwellings. It requires that certain types of electrical work (especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and full rewires) are either carried out by a registered competent person (such as a NICEIC-registered electrician), or notified to your local Building Control authority. All SwiftFix electrical work is fully Part P compliant.

Yes! We are OZEV-authorised EV charger installers. We can supply and install all major home EV charger brands including Pod Point, Ohme, Hypervolt, and Andersen. Installation typically takes 2–4 hours. We'll also handle any necessary earthing upgrades and the required electrical certificates. Grants may be available through the OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant scheme.

Consumer unit replacement costs depend on the size of your property and the number of circuits required. As a guide:

• Small flat or 1-bed property: from £350
• 2–3 bed house: from £450–£600
• Larger homes with additional circuits: from £650+

All prices include labour, parts, and the required Electrical Installation Certificate. Get a free fixed quote by contacting us.

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is an official inspection and test of your property's fixed electrical installation. It identifies any defects, deterioration, or dangerous conditions. EICRs are:

• Legally required for all privately rented properties every 5 years
• Recommended for homeowners every 10 years or when buying/selling a property
• Required by some insurers and mortgage lenders

SwiftFix can arrange an EICR at a fixed, competitive price — typically from £120 for a small property.

Absolutely. Our electricians are experienced with a wide range of smart home systems including smart lighting (Philips Hue, Lutron), smart thermostats (Hive, Nest, tado), home automation systems, multi-room audio wiring, and smart security systems. We can advise on the best solutions for your budget and existing infrastructure.

Our end of tenancy cleaning service is comprehensive and designed to meet the standards required for deposit returns. It includes:

• Full kitchen deep clean including oven, hob, extractor fan, fridge, and all cupboards
• Bathroom scrub including grout cleaning, descaling, and sanitary ware
• All floors vacuumed and mopped
• Windows cleaned inside (and outside if accessible)
• Walls wiped down for marks and scuffs
• All light fittings, switches, and sockets wiped
• Carpets steam-cleaned (available as an add-on)

Yes, all of our cleaners arrive fully equipped with professional-grade cleaning products and equipment. You don't need to provide anything. If you have specific preferences (e.g. particular brands or eco-friendly products only), please let us know when booking and we will accommodate where possible.

The duration depends on the size and condition of the property. As a rough guide:

• Studio or 1-bed flat: 3–4 hours (1 cleaner)
• 2–3 bed house: 4–6 hours (1–2 cleaners)
• 4–5 bed house: 6–9 hours (2 cleaners)

For particularly neglected properties, we may send a team of 2–3 cleaners to complete the job more efficiently.

Yes — we offer an eco-friendly cleaning option using biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainably sourced products. This is ideal if you have young children, pets, or allergies. Simply request the eco-friendly package when booking. There is a small supplement for this option, which covers the cost of premium products.

Absolutely. We offer regular cleaning services on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis. If you're happy with your assigned cleaner, you can request the same person for every visit. Regular customers also benefit from a 10% loyalty discount on hourly rates after their first four visits. Contact us to set up a recurring schedule.

Our painting and decorating services cover a wide range of work including interior and exterior painting, wallpapering (hanging, stripping, and lining), coving and cornice installation, wood staining and varnishing, feature walls, and specialist finishes. We work on residential and commercial properties.

You can choose to supply your own materials or have us source them on your behalf. If we supply materials, we charge at trade cost plus a small handling fee. We work with leading brands like Dulux, Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, and Crown. We'll always advise on the best products for your specific surfaces and requirements.

Proper surface preparation is essential for a quality, long-lasting finish. Our decorators will fill cracks and holes, sand down rough surfaces, strip old or flaking paint where necessary, apply primer or undercoat, mask off areas, and protect floors and furniture with dust sheets. We never cut corners on prep work.

Yes, our experienced decorators handle exterior painting including masonry, render, timber, and UPVC. We use weather-resistant, breathable exterior paints suitable for the UK climate. Scaffolding or access equipment is arranged as needed and is included in our quotes. We advise scheduling exterior work for dry weather periods — typically spring through early autumn.

A standard bedroom or living room with two coats of emulsion (walls and ceiling) typically takes 1–2 days for one decorator, including preparation and drying time. More complex rooms with high ceilings, intricate woodwork, wallpaper, or feature walls will take longer. We'll give you an accurate timescale when we provide your quote.

For standard (non-emergency) bookings, there is no call-out fee. You only pay for the work completed. For emergency callouts (outside of normal hours or requiring same-day urgent response), a transparent call-out fee applies — starting from £49 — which is clearly communicated before you confirm the booking.

We operate Monday to Saturday with standard rates. Sunday bookings carry a modest 15% weekend supplement. Bank holiday work is charged at time-and-a-half of the standard rate. Emergency work at any time of day or night outside of our standard operating hours (Mon–Sat 7am–8pm) is subject to emergency pricing, which is always disclosed upfront.

Yes. SwiftFix is VAT registered (GB 123 456 789) and we provide a full VAT invoice for all work. Invoices are sent by email within 24 hours of job completion. If you need a paper copy, we can post one on request. Our quotes always show the net amount and VAT separately so there are never any surprises.

Simply describe your job in as much detail as possible when contacting us (photos are very helpful). For most standard jobs, we can provide a fixed price without a site visit. For larger or more complex work, we may arrange a free survey. Once you accept a fixed quote, that price is guaranteed — we will not charge more, even if the job takes longer than anticipated.

For larger jobs (typically over £500), we can arrange staged payments — for example, a deposit on booking, a mid-point payment, and a final payment on completion. For major installations such as boilers or rewires, we also partner with a regulated finance provider to offer 0% interest payment plans over 6–24 months, subject to credit approval. Ask us for details when requesting a quote.

A home emergency is any situation that poses an immediate risk to your property, health, or safety and cannot wait until the next working day. Common examples include:

• Burst or severely leaking pipes
• Complete loss of heating or hot water (in cold weather)
• Total loss of electrical power
• Gas leak (always call National Gas Emergency 0800 111 999 first)
• Sewage backup or major drain overflow
• Broken door or window locks (security risk)
• Flooding from any source

Our target emergency response times are:

• Major cities and urban areas: within 60 minutes
• Suburban and semi-rural areas: within 90 minutes
• Rural areas: within 2 hours

These are target times and may be subject to traffic, weather, and availability. We'll give you an estimated arrival time when you call and keep you updated if there are any delays.

Yes — emergency callouts carry a transparent call-out fee in addition to the cost of any work undertaken. Fees start from £49 during standard hours and £89 for out-of-hours (evenings, weekends, and bank holidays). The call-out fee and a labour rate estimate will always be confirmed with you before we dispatch a tradesperson — you're never committed until you agree to the price.

Yes — our emergency service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This includes Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and all UK bank holidays. Standard bookings can be made Monday to Saturday 7am–8pm and Sunday 9am–5pm. Outside these hours, you can still reach us via our emergency line for urgent situations.