Ceiling Lights and Lamps

Lighting plays a central role when it comes to enhancing the aesthetic of your home. With the right tone, colour and temperature of lighting you can create a warm and welcoming mood in your home.However, proper utilisation and placement of lighting are often overlooked, which in turn leads to a bad lighting situation. Bad lighting downplays the beauty of your interior and creates a bland setting. Lighting has three basic types that are essential in improving the mood of a room; ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. Task and accent lighting are more specific in their purpose while ambient lighting provides the overall illumination of a room. A suitable lighting scheme will utilise these three types of lighting for enhanced aesthetics. But the most important of them is ambient lighting, which shouldn’t be taken for granted.Here is our guide about what ambient lighting is and how you can create it at your home or any other setting.What is Ambient Lighting?Ambient lighting is commonly known as general lighting. Ambient lighting usually comes from the primary source of light in a certain room. It sets the tone for the rest of the lighting in a room. Apart from providing illumination in the room, it also creates a sense of depth with a welcoming atmosphere.In essence, ambient lighting provides a foundational level of illumination that allows you to see and navigate around a room. Ambient lighting does not give too much glare and is relaxing to the human eye.Therefore, a central source of it for every room is essential to achieve an excellent lighting scheme. The right source of ambient lighting will need a strategy in choosing which lights to use and where to place them in a room.Ambient lighting can be provided by installing basic lighting fixtures such as chandeliers, track lights, recessed lights, and wall or ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures. There are many ways to set the right balance of ambient lighting and it comes down to the room you are trying to illuminate. In certain settings such as a laundry room, the primary source of lighting can also serve as task lighting.The main purpose of ambient lighting is to create a cosy, relaxing environment that isn’t taxing on the eyes. How To Create Ambient Lighting?Down below we have compiled a list of factors that need to be considered when choosing ambient lighting for rooms in your home.Choosing The Location For LightingWhen choosing the location to install your light fixtures, you will have to evaluate the room when it is dark. You can start by turning off the lights one by one until you reach the least possible illumination without losing visibility. Now take note of areas that need to be accented.These spaces often include pathways, reading areas, fireplaces, coffee tables, bookshelves, seating areas, and plants. You can use task and accent lighting to illuminate these spaces.Buy Azumi table Light at SparksWhile selecting the location to install your light fixtures make sure that they provide a balanced illumination throughout the room. Lighting just one corner of a large room will make it unbalanced. On the other hand, installing lights in every corner of the room will result in too much glare which is not comfortable at all.The best way to achieve balance is to install lights in the front space of a room. Use a lamp or other accent lights to illuminate the back corners and bring them in sync with the other parts of the room.Choosing The Type Of Lighting While creating ambient lighting you will also have to choose the type of light fixtures ideal for your needs. The size and the amount of light a fixture can provide are also something you have to consider. If you’re looking to stick with a single brand that caters for a variety of lighting fixtures, check out the UK's premier designer and producer of contemporary lighting, Astro Lighting.Choosing The Light IntensityThe right light intensity can be chosen according to the setting of your room. While doing so you will have to choose the right colour temperature of light. You can create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere with the right colour temperature. In order to do so you should choose warm white LED lights or strips to have a cosy yellow glow that is pleasing to the eyes of occupants.The temperature or warmth of a light is measured in Kelvins. It ranges between 2000K to 6000K, with the former having a flame white colour while the latter having a cool white colour. The optimal range is between 2000K and 3000K varying between flame white and warm white. This kind of lighting is great for creating a cosy atmosphere around seating and living areas while still offering enough illumination for people to be able to perform basic tasks.Another thing you should keep an eye on is the colour rendering index (CRI) of the light fixtures you are installing. The CRI of a light source refers to its ability to show the actual colours of various objects in comparison to a natural light source such as sunlight.It's measured on a scale from 0–100, with 0 being a poor CRI and 100 being the best.For homes and residential buildings, we recommend a CRI of at least 80 or above to make things practical.Choosing The Right Look Although the major part of an ambient lighting scheme consists of chandeliers, track lights, recessed lights, and wall or ceiling-mounted lighting fixtures. You will also need accent lighting pieces to get a more balanced aesthetic. So while choosing these accent lighting pieces you should consider them as part of the room's decor and complement your furnishings. Lamps with neutral tones are the best option but if you want a dimmer scheme you can choose darker colour shades.There are many different brands to choose from when pairing the right aesthetic and lighting conditions. A favourite of ours here at SparksDirect.co.uk is Astro Lighting.This modern British brand is known for its stylish wall lights and downlights, and thanks to its great quality and unique design, it creates the perfect atmosphere in your home.Buy Ginestra 400 PendantsUsing Dimmers During the day the atmosphere and mood of your space can be quite different from what it will be at night. So it is important to have lighting that can change accordingly. Using dimmable lighting can be a perfect solution for this. You can brighten them during the day and dim them according to your need in the latter half of the day.Final ThoughtsGetting the right balance of ambient lighting can be very technical for ordinary people considering how many factors you have to consider. However, with a little bit of research and planning when installing light fixtures you can change the aesthetic of your room and make the mood more relaxed and comfortable.Take a look at some of our favourite lighting fixtures to perfect the ambient lighting in your home today!

Changes in modern society during the early 21st century have led to many problems concerning people’s sleep cycles and general health. Bespoke human-centric lighting schemes are something that we should all consider. The adoption of electronic light has changed the ‘circadian rhythm’ of our bodies, which controls key features such as sleep-wake behaviour and hormone secretion. This disturbs the 24-hour sleep cycle we should be operating on for optimal health and happiness. Recent studies have shown we now spend close to 90% of our lives indoors, a historically unprecedented amount. This means we are simply not getting enough natural sunlight. ‘Human-centric lighting’ is a solution that works to maintain a natural light cycle indoors, no matter where you spend the majority of your day. In this article, we will discuss the practicalities and benefits of a tailored human-centric lighting scheme - especially in workplace environments. Human-centric lighting: what is it exactly? Human-centric lighting solutions can support the human circadian rhythm and enhance concentration. They also prevent sleeping disorders and improve our overall mental well-being. So how do they work exactly? Recent innovations in lighting technology (in particular with LEDs) has meant that ‘tuneable’ white light can be achieved in an energy-efficient manner. This light is then managed with advanced control systems. New, smart, connected lighting systems create endless possibilities with better user control. For instance, the SkyLux works its magic by replicating a natural 24-hour day cycle. It has a panel which realistically depicts scenes of sky, clouds and sunshine. The main control will be the level of brightness intensity, which is scaled all the way from 0 (which gives the effect of a cloudy day) to 100 (which exudes the light of an intensely sunny day). This means that the owner of this advanced lighting system can choose what type of weather is simulated in a building. Practical considerations for human-centric lighting schemes Luminaire specifications This is the Megaman 180162 - part of the Renzo range of drum fittings / LED bulkheads for wall or ceiling mounting. It is a 10.5W round LED fitting offering a warm white 3000K with a diameter of 280mm. Buy Outdoor LED Bulkheads at SparksThe components that make up the luminaire must guarantee an adequate level of performance. First and foremost, they must pass tests to ensure they meet all electrical and mechanical test requirements. They should also be tested to make certain that ‘LED flicker’ is kept to an absolute minimum. LED flicker originates from a mismatch of components - when the LED module, driver and control system are not working in harmony. This mismatch causes a flickering light which has damaging consequences. If left unchecked, flicker can result in chronic discomforts such as eye-strain and headaches. In workplaces, this is shown to lead to an increase in absenteeism. Manufacturers must guarantee that LED flicker is minimised to avoid this problem.Light distribution You must consider that not all luminaires are appropriate for human-centric lighting systems and certain design criteria must be satisfied. Many of the existing general-purpose lighting fixtures in commercial settings cannot meet these design criteria. The distribution of light from a luminaire in a human-centric system must not create glare. Glare is a serious problem at workplaces as it can cause long-term health problems. Excessive brightness entering the eye from intense luminaires reflecting from working equipment (such as screens) prevent workers from being able to read data and reduces productivity. However, if you arrange a system of quality luminaires in a well-spaced pattern there will be minimal amounts of glare caused. Furthermore, the optimal amount of light needed to aid the natural circadian rhythm will be achieved. The advantages of a human-centric lighting system The sheer quality of LED light has improved leaps and bounds over the last few years. New developments in LED colour schemes mean that we can now match the colour output that is created by the natural light spectrum. As previously mentioned concerning the SkyLux, this means we can accurately simulate weather conditions that are occurring halfway across the world. Human-centric lighting schemes are designed using ultra-high colour rendering LEDs, which consistently depict a colour accuracy of over 95 percent. This increase in the quality of colour rendering will reap health benefits. Currently, there are efforts to move colour accuracy performance even further, using ‘sunlight’ criteria for LEDs. These LED modules are designed to mimic the spectrum of sunlight. In doing this, LED manufacturers are seeking to reduce the ‘blue spikes’ in the LED spectrum that are considered poor for our health.Buy LED Light Bulbs at Sparks Lighting control With human-centric lighting comes dynamic lighting control. The latest thinking from designers is that the core lighting should be set according to a fixed scheme, which will fit a general ‘working pattern’, convenient to employees. Health benefits As mentioned before, the presence of blue wavelengths is negative for our health. It suppresses the effect of the pineal gland, which ‘tricks’ the brain into thinking that it’s safe for us to carry on working, when we should be preparing for a good night’s sleep. Human-centric lighting has the ability to reduce blue content in white light by shifting the ambient colour spectrum from ‘daylight’ to a comfortable warm light as we come to the end of the day. Lighting levels (illuminance) are also adjustable across the working day so they can replicate external conditions. As evidenced by the pioneering SkyLux, human-centric lighting is really making waves in the lighting industry. Hopefully, in the near future, bespoke lighting will be the norm in all modern workplaces.

We here at Sparks sell items both online and via our trade counter in Holloway Road, London. When purchasing items online, we all have experienced disappointment to a certain extent, for the product may not be as described, it would stop working after an hour - it might even be the wrong item entirely. However, when it comes to online sales for electrical goods, these mistakes can turn out to be dangerous, so extra care must be taken. The statistics are scary when it comes to counterfeit scams online - approximately one-third of the UK population has fallen victim to these ploys. Meanwhile, one in seven Brits experience loss or serious damage caused by electrical appliances bought from e-commerce stores. It is obvious that some online retailers are not doing their part to keep their customers safe. We at Sparks can warmly offer advice on how to avoid counterfeit scams online. Before you even start browsing for online goods, make sure you are using a credit card or a PayPal account to pay, as your purchases will be insured. The rise of counterfeit scams online In the past few years, there has been an upturn in the number of counterfeit products sold online. Fake electrical goods are far more susceptible to having incorrect or faulty parts. This is extremely dangerous; so far, there are 70 deaths and 350,000 injuries caused by faulty electrical goods annually in the UK. A large portion of this damage can be attributed to risky fake purchases. Scam artists have spotted this opportunity as more customers look to find a bargain online. When people buy items from a lesser-known source, they could be in for a nasty surprise. Top tips for spotting if an item may be fake or counterfeit online Think about the price - if the price is too good to be true then it probably is! A product that costs significantly less than the high street retail price may be a fake. Remember: reviews can be convincingly faked. Use vendors that have been ‘verified’ by a trusted site, as they have cross-referenced that person’s selling history with their reviews. Review sites such as Trustpilot and Feefoo are known to be reliable. Make sure there is a full address, and not just a PO box number for the item. Some countries have lax regulations and are more likely to produce counterfeit goods than the UK. Remember that not all sites ending in ‘co.uk’ are based in the UK. Carefully read the product guarantees, sellers’ terms and conditions, returns policies and privacy statements. Be wary of vendors claiming their item is ‘genuine’, ‘real’ or ‘authentic’. Reputable retailers do not need to label their wares as such, as it is presumed they are authentic. Avoid buying second-hand products in cases where the guarantee has run out: you have no idea what condition it may be in. Check the site is a member of an online retail accrediting body, as they have to follow certain service standards. During online sales, the payment page should have a padlock symbol at the bottom. This is to signal that the site is secure: if there is no padlock sign do not enter your payment details. Keep records of your online orders. This article from the Telegraph goes into more detail about organisations that vet retailers such as Internet Shopping is Safe (ISIS). Thankfully, ISIS accredited retailers now account for around two-thirds of all UK online exchanges.Safely Buy Lights Online Top tips for checking if you’ve bought a counterfeit item Examine the packaging and item closely. Signs an item is fake include flimsy packaging or shoddy printing. If you are suspicious then check for a picture of the item online from a trusted high-street retailer. Check for the safety certification label, on both the item and the package. All electrical goods ought to have one of these if they have been made by a legitimate manufacturer. Ensure that everything is as it should be. Fake products often do not supply standard supplementary material such as a manual or a product registration card. Check that you have received a standard three-pin UK plug or charger (if the item was purchased from a UK retailer). Keep in mind that if you spent more than £100 on your credit card, you can hold both the trader and credit card company responsible, if the sale goes badly. If the product isn’t working properly or keeps on cutting out, turn it off immediately. Do the same if it speeds up without warning, if the outer case is hot to the touch, or if it is emitting smoke. Trust your instinct. If something else unsettles you about the purchase, there is probably a good reason. Visit the high street to compare the product to those in sale in store. Actions to take once you have realised you’ve purchased a fake item online Act immediately - contact the supplier and state your case, demanding an explanation. It is possible there was a mix up that they can clarify and resolve. Demand a refund in a civil but firm way. It is your legal right to receive a full refund if you have bought a counterfeit item If the seller refuses to refund your counterfeit item, then contact the retailer that manages that marketplace (such as Amazon, ebay, etc). These trusted retailers are able to intervene on your behalf. If they are unable to help, phone the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for advice on taking further action. If the seller is a member of accreditation body ISIS, then you can ask them to look into your complaint. Report the item you purchased as a fake to Trading Standards so that they can take action against the seller. You will be protecting their next potential victim by doing so. The final resort is taking the seller to court, which will cost you further expenses. If you have a good case and win, however, your court costs will be reimbursed.Buy the Tate Wall Lamp Online Returning recalled items You should take an inventory of your electrical home appliances and then check if the product has been issued for a recall using this checker. The most commonly recalled items include electrical chargers, adapters, extensions and spare product leads. Also in the list are small kitchen appliances such as toasters, kettles and irons. Statistics show that UK homeowners do not keep track of product recalls. The average success rate of a UK product recall is only 10-20%, which means there are thousands of potentially dangerous appliances still in use. Remember to utilize the product recall checker linked above to make sure you are not putting yourself at risk. A reminder of your rights and how to get recourse for counterfeit goods If an item is fake or broken when it arrives, you have the legal right to a repair, replacement and/or full refund for the item. You can utilise the Citizens Bureau, the manufacturer or Trading Standards to pursue your complaint. When buying from any company in the EU, European Law will protect you from counterfeit goods in many circumstances. Check out the UK European Consumer site to know your rights. Understanding your rights as a buyer is crucial to guaranteeing you do not fall victim to counterfeit scams online. And if you do, there are plenty of actions of recourse you can take, as detailed in this article.

Tobia Scarpa is yet another Italian designer to have enjoyed a flourishing career that led him to create some marvellous pieces for Flos. He has a backlog of prestigious works in a variety of fields, including architecture, restoration, design, and lighting; he has excelled due to his innovative design philosophy. Born in Venice in 1935, he studied Architecture at the University of Venice, where he graduated in 1969. He began his career with an ingrained working ethos that brought him great success; he is always open to innovation and new design technologies and materials - as Flos says of Scarpa, he: ‘Developed a vocabulary for accessible luxury design based on expanding technology and a wide range of materials. Tobia Scarpa was among the first pioneering designers to be hired by the Flos lighting company to design some of their initial models, alongside Pier Castiglioni and Achille Castiglioni,  who was another legendary contributor to the world of lighting. Much like the Castiglioni brothers, the designs he would conjure up for Flos would be received with great acclaim and still be admired and sought after to this day. Tobia Scarpa makes a grand statement with the Foglio Wall Lamp with FlosDesigned by Scarpa in 1966, this classic in modern lighting really puts Scarpa (and the still relatively young Flos) on the map within the lighting industry.The Foglio is a rather ingenious construction, formed of a single sheet of steel that delicately wraps around its two lamps. The design resembles a shirt cuff, or folio paper, in the way it effortless fold inwards.The lamp's body is formed by power-pressed steel with two lamp supports made from injection-moulded white nylon. The beautiful yet unusual design of the Foglio reflects Tobia Scarpa's philosophy - as he once statedDesign is a profession without a rule book. The wall lamp certainly has a unique and intriguing aspect to it that separates it from other designs in the industry in that period. It offers a pleasing partially diffused light that seeps through its folded form. The Foglio is IP20 rated, ideal for interior settings, and it comes in a variety of colours - chrome, white or glossy black - to suit the decor of the room it is fitted in. The meandering waves and gentle curves of the structure complement the soft diffused light and ensure that this is the finest wall light for creating a welcoming glow in your home. The Foglio's enduring popularity could be partly down to the fact that it looks equally at home in a contemporary home as it does in a classy restaurant. In both cases, it offers a dash of refinement and comfortable indirect light and can be positioned to create an ambient mood lighting.Buy Flos Lights at Sparks Tobia Scarpa's other work with Flos - the classic ClessidraTobia Scarpa - alongside the Castiglioni brothers - were the among the first to genuinely understand just how modern materials could change the face of the design world. All you have to do is look at yet another Flos design classic - the Clessidra,. Scarpa always knew that new materials and technologies were the way forward to progressing and exciting the lighting world. He did this again in 2011, working alongside other Flos designers including Antonio Citterio, to produce the Clessidra Wall Lamp. The Clessidra has a very interesting and alluring construction, with its body acquired through aluminium pressofusion and diffusers in PMMA. It also features highly efficient lenses that are specially designed for the application. As with the Foglio light, the intrinsic materials that make the Clessidra are a large part of what makes up it's aesthetic beauty. With an hourglass shape that offers gently diffused up and down lighting, the Clessidra comes in both a 20-degree angle variant and a 40-degree one. It is IP55 rated, meaning it can be wall-mounted as an exterior light for your garden as well as used as an interior decorative light. It also comes in a range of finishes to suit your needs: gleaming chrome, dark brown, grey and white: all of which are stocked at Sparks. Tobia Scarpa and the 'original trio': how they helped launch Flos into global recognition and have stayed relevant to this day Flos' roots can be traced back to 1959, and the 60's were a defining period for the company, as it launched officially in 1962. In the burgeoning years of Flos, design was overseen by the Castiglioni brothers and Tobia Scarpa, who steered Flos toward worldwide recognition. It was in this early period that design classics such as the Arco lamp were produced and experimentation in lighting design as an art form started to be explored. The Arco Lamp would be the first of their early designs to receive a Compasso d'Oro award, although many Flos designers would all go on to be recognised, including Tobia Scarpa. He received the Compasso d'Oro (Golden Compass) award in 1969, and would go on to win it again in 2008 as a lifetime achievement award, presented to him by his wife and long-time colleague Afra Scarpa.Flos Lighting at Sparks

Wholesalers have been part of the fabric of life for working electricians since the first ones opened in the early 19th century. This article details exactly how the relationship between Sparks Electrical Wholesalers and local electricians is so mutually beneficial, with discounts, offers, advice, special requirement solutions and customer accounts all part of the negotiations. However, it has become increasingly common to see members of the general public milling around Sparks - and not just to ogle at the beautiful showroom. There's a mix of tradespeople and ordinary members of the local community that visit us daily. Here are five reasons why North London locals - whether they be tradespeople or not - visit our lighting showroom at Sparks - and why you should too. 1. Product knowledge Sparks has been around for a long time - 30 years in fact - and many of our staff have been around throughout much of our illustrious history. The combined knowledge of Sparks’ over-the-counter salespeople is extraordinary - they have a comprehensive knowledge of the items we stock. You can come in with a basic request such as a ‘I want a white wall light fitting’ for your new bedroom, and the Sparks salesperson will be able to guide you through the process of finding what you need, providing tailored expert advice. In the lights department, we will figure out if the light should be wall or ceiling-mounted (or both), flush or with a stem base, what sort of size and shape, and what kind of style, to complement the room it is being placed in. This support extends to more complex advice for electricians who need to know more about the domestic distribution boards, for instance, or about the Ryefield boards. Our staff is well-versed in the world of electrical goods of all kinds and their combined knowledge will find a solution to your needs. 2. Pricing Check out the Fluke 1664 Multifunction Installation Tester Kit for Insulation, Volts, Earth, Phase, RCD, Loop, and Continuity Testing - in stock at an amazing price!You rarely get to see haggling in British stores these days, and we don't practice this, but we do give the best prices we can when you visit us in our lighting showroom. This applies to both electricians and members of the public. When dealing with tradespeople looking to buy high quantities of goods or premium products, there is always wriggle room to be explored; there are further discounts applied when larger quantities are purchased. This makes the experience of going to the wholesalers more exciting for those who are want to save some money, rather than facing the fixed prices of conventional retailers. Many electricians prefer to frequently purchase such things as consumer units, Ryefield boards, Astro Lights, Flos Lights, Forbes and Lomax switches and sockets, and Heritage Brass wiring accessories in our showroom because they know the price is unbeatable. This is beneficial for both us - the wholesaler - as we're getting repeat business from someone in the profession, and for the electrician who is obviously getting the cheapest price available.Buy Fluke 1664 MFC Tester3. Customer service Sparks have followed a growing trend among many wholesalers, offering fast delivery on items that may be in stock at the time of the customer visiting the store, and on items that need to be ordered. Sometimes you may order something that is quite bulky and not so easy to carry on public transport; in such cases, we can deliver the items for you. And in case the items are not in stock, we can do a delivery when they arrive. It also gives you ensured safety in delivery and ease of mind with the 30 day ‘no quibble’ return policy that applies to all our products, excluding light bulbs and LED lamps. The face-to-face aspect of visiting your local wholesalers can not be overstated. We are a friendly, local establishment looking to do right by our customers - both old and new - and we have every reason to offer the best advice and customer service that we possibly can. This extends to ‘aftercare’ or follow-up enquiries, where our experienced staff will answer any questions regarding installation, returns, similar products and so on once a product has been purchased. 4. Product availability This is AX4569 - the Astro Lighting Enna Floor LED Lamp in Matt White using a 4.5W 2700K 124lm LED Lamp (non-dimmable) with Switch on the Cord, available hereWe hold large stocks of many of the items that we advertise online and are well-known for. For many of our customers, such as tradespeople and electricians, there is the requirement for instant purchase on certain products, whether it be a screw-in plug or a very particular kind of socket. These are busy people with professions that require them to be ‘on the move’ throughout the day, meaning they can’t be waiting at home for Amazon deliveries to arrive. The advantage of being able to walk out of our showroom with everything you need in hand can not be understated, and is an aspect of shopping at Sparks that is appreciated by most regularly frequenting customers. Whether it is sockets, switches, LED lamps, heaters, underfloor heating mats, or some bathroom fans, we hold stock of most of these popular and much-needed items in our lighting showroom.Buy Enna Floor Lamp5. Brand recognition and fidelity We have been operating on Holloway Road, Archway since 1988 and are one of the longest established shops that remains on the street: quite an achievement in this Internet age. Our brand recognition and fidelity have helped play an influential part in this. Our showroom has been open for 30 years, showcasing our most popular and interesting electrical items and light fittings. It has been visited by electricians, building contractors, architects, hotel and interior designers, landlords, actors, TV presenters, and the general public; whether they have something to purchase in mind, or are just there to admire. By putting a welcoming and friendly face on electrical wholesaling, we have managed to stay relevant and popular among Archway residents, and those coming from further out. The fact that Sparks has retained its status as a leading UK electrical wholesaler for such a long period of time demonstrates our informed and welcoming over-the-counter approach has inspired customer loyalty. These are five of the topmost reasons for which you should visit us - Sparks Electrical Wholesalers Ltd - on 659-661 Holloway Road, London, N19 5SE, close to Archway tube station (and Upper Holloway overground station).

Hiring an electrician is a big deal when you are looking to remodel your home in any number of ways, whether it be a kitchen refurbishment or installing lights in your new conservatory. The difference between a legit or a shady electrician could be weeks of your time, thousands of pounds and whole bundles of stress. So don’t rush ahead and grab the first option available: you may risk getting yourself a dreaded ‘cowboy’ electrician. Be sure to read our guide and find yourself a trustworthy tradesperson. Seven Simple Rules for Finding a Trustworthy Electrician We have a list of simple steps that will help you on your way to getting the high-quality service your house deserves: 1. First things first - ask for their registration. 18 million people are too afraid to ask for proof that their electrician is registered. This is the definitive proof you need to rest assured you are not hiring a ‘cowboy’ electrician, with zero accountability, to work on your home. From the legal perspective, tradespeople must work to the UK national safety standard (BS 7671) and you can search for legitimately registered electricians in your area at Registered Competent Person or, if you live in Scotland, the government’s Certification Register. Check that your electrician is registered with one of these relevant Governing Bodies: the NICEIC, ECA, or ELECSA.  2. Get a reference. Think of this as a job interview (which it is essential), in which you are the employer. The electrician may make all sorts of fanciful claims, but you must ask for references from his previous customers to make sure these claims are substantiated and ensure you have a trustworthy electrician on board. The ideal reference would of course be from a member of your family or close friend, who has had the electrician work on their own home and was delighted with the work done. 3. Take your time when choosing. Make sure to get at least three quotes from different electricians before you embark on any major electrical work in your home. Although it may be time-consuming, it could save you a lot of money. This is not to say you should base your choice on pricing: that is only one factor, with the most crucial factor being the quality of their services. This article details the behavior of 'cowboy' electricians who will want to pressure you into making a rash decision without examining their credentials. Use online review sites to narrow down your options, and read all the reviews you can, both positive and negative, to get a fuller picture of the electrician you’ll be hiring. For instance, there could be a slew of positive reviews based on the electrician's personality and friendliness, that ignore his lax scheduling.Buy Quality Lights at Sparks 4. Get a quote! (don’t ever pay upfront) If an electrician is insisting on giving you an estimate instead of a quote you can shoo him on right out of the door. The differences between a quote and an estimate are simple: a quote is an agreed, legally binding price that is fixed unless extra work is commissioned. An estimate, however, is just a best guess at the cost, not legally binding and subject to change. As you can imagine estimates are a favorite tool among cowboy electricians so make sure to avoid these at all costs. Your quote must contain agreed start and finish times, as well as agreed payment terms. 5. Check that everyone working on your premises is licensed to do so. You’ll likely spend most of your time talking to an individual contractor whose credentials you should have seen by now. However, they may have an entire team working in your home (depending on the scale of the project). You need to vet every electrician working in your home. 6. Give your electrician a clear brief. Give a clear, unambiguous statement of what you want done, to avoid them doing too little or too much work, and then over-charging you. If your whole garage needs rewiring, explain in detail how you want it done. If you just need a switch replaced, the brief should be a great deal simpler. The brief should be a discussion between you and the electrician: you need to find out what needs to be done on your end too. Ask if you need to supply any materials and whether the agreed cost includes subcontractors and the cleaning up and disposal of waste.Buy 4 Gang LED Dimmer 7. Prepare for the worst If you meticulously followed the first six steps then there should hopefully be no need to use this step. However, just in case there are discrepancies with your electrician during or after the work has taken place, it is important to do all the following. You should keep all relevant paperwork and receipts, Take photos of the progress of their work and make notes, detailing any problems with dates and times. Bonus: What to do if you are unhappy with your electricians' work If you are unhappy with the work carried out by your electrician there are numerous routes you can utilise to settle these problems. You can get in touch with the Trading Standards and Citizen’s Advice, who deal with any company you think didn’t carry out their job properly. Sources for this article include finding a trustworthy electrician (via Sainsburys and via BT Home), and our experience.

Yesterday the 2015 Electrical Wholesaler Awards took place at the Millennium Hotel in Gloucester Road, Central London, with a record attending of 300 people or so. We at Sparks were finalists in the category of Best Electrical Wholesaler Website (see our previous article on this), and even though the judges have already decided who is the no. 1 wholesaler website in the country since February 2015, we all had to wait until the ceremony on May 14th 2015 to hear it. The main categories for the electrical wholesalers awards were: Best Electrical Wholesaler: 10 and Under Branches in Group Best Electrical Wholesaler: 11-25 Branches in Group Best Electrical Wholesaler: 26+ Branches in Group Best Individual Electrical Wholesaler Branch Best Electrical Wholesaler Website Branch Manager of the Year Training Excellence Award After the electrical wholesaler awards, there was a 3-course meal and then the manufacturer awards, which were in the following categories: Best New Product Best Marketing Campaign Best Supplier Customer Service Best Supplier Website Training Provider Award Best Overall Supplier Lifetime Contribution to the Electrical Wholesale Industry Award SparksDirect.co.uk is the 2015 Best Electrical Wholesaler Website in the UK! The location of the 2015 Electrical Wholesaler Awards was central, and the venue was superb; while enjoying the sponsored drinks we got to talk to one of the judges, who did not even give us a hint on who would be the best electrical wholesaler website (sic!). We were looking for a shred of evidence of whether the judge even remembers "SparksDirect.co.uk" but...no clue! We were pleasantly surprised, therefore, to hear that SparksDirect.co.uk was named this year's Best Electrical Wholesaler website! The judges have spoken (and we checked with them afterward - they were very pleasantly impressed with the website and especially with its mobile friendliness) - www.sparksdirect.co.uk is the 2015 best wholesaler website! 2015 Electrical Wholesaler Awards - www.sparksdirect.co.uk has won the 2015 Best Electrical Wholesaler Website award!2015 Electrical Wholesaler Awards - holding the Best Electrical Wholesaler Award, Nick and Stefan We worked really hard on our website both on the design, back-end, functionality, pictures, and details, and we are happy to see our work rewarded publicly as we were acknowledged the Best EW website in the UK! Many thanks to Mike Gammon, the people at Datateam, and the panel of judges for organizing this great event and granting us this award. Being against great websites such as the CDR electrical wholesalers, Gil-lec, Yesss, and the electrical counter was not easy, and we had to step up our hard work to maintain our no. 1 position. Among the other winners, we were happy to see our good friends at Ansell Lighting with their Orbio 360, Brackenheath Briticent (with their iSpot Driverless LED Floodlights), Carl Kammerling International (with their C.K. ArmourSlice SWA Cable Stripper), etc. Congratulations to ML Accessories for winning the best overall supplier (we definitely can confirm that!) and the best supplier customer service (agreed 100%). The Electrical Industries Charity2015 Electrical Wholesaler Awards - congrats to the people at Marshall Tufflex!Congrats to the people at ML Accessories (Knightsbridge)! Selfie with two of the ML Accessories winners 2015 Electrical Wholesaler Awards - the winner of the Lifetime Contribution to the Electrical Wholesale Industry award Sparks - Excellence both Online and Offline We at Sparks do not only have a website that is the best in the country but we also have a great lighting showroom in Archway, North London, and we have been here for the past over 28 years serving the public with cables, connectors, lights, switches, sockets, heaters, fans, light bulbs, fluorescent fittings, and all kinds of electrical items. We have a fully qualified and very knowledgeable staff ready to assist both the regular customers and the electricians, specifiers, architects, and all the people who need advice on our products. We have a physical store with a wide range of products, and we pride ourselves on great customer service - both online and offline. There's a great blend of online and over-the-counter help, service, and relations, and you can always count on a friendly face and expert advice whether you order online or visit our lighting showroom in North London. Sparksdirect - The best electrical wholesaler website awardThe 2015 Best Wholesaler Website award our peers gave us last night is proof of the excellence of our website, and we can guarantee the same excellence over the counter in our showroom as well. Visit us at www.sparksdirect.co.uk or in our showroom in 659-661 Holloway Road, London, N19 5SE.