Report a fault and book an appointment

Can you smell burning, see smoke or sparks, or is something hot or discoloured?

For example a socket, a plug or something in the meter cupboard. Even if the smell goes away again.

YesThere was a bang or a flashNo

Why do I ask this?

A scorching smell or a hot socket is almost always caused by a bad connection, and that gets worse by itself. That is a fault that takes priority.

Please do this first, then I'll help you further

This is how to make it safe now. Don't touch anything else.

Unplug whatever is plugged in, if that can be done safely.
Switch the circuit off in the meter cupboard.
If you smell it in the meter cupboard itself, switch off the main switch.
Leave it off and don't switch anything back on to see whether it happens again.

Can you see fire? Then call 112 first. Never put water on anything electrical.

This is a fault that takes priority. If you want to speak to me straight away, call 043 204 18 26. Or carry on and choose a time yourself.

More information: a burning smell or a hot socket, what now.

Why do I ask this?

From the first discolouration to smouldering is often only a few weeks. That's why you shouldn't wait with this.

Where is the power off?

Have a look outside too: are the neighbours' lights on and are the street lights working?

The whole street is dark, the neighbours tooMy whole home, the neighbours do have powerOne room or part of the houseThere is power, but something isn't working or keeps cutting out

Why do I ask this?

If the whole street is dark, it's the grid operator and there is nothing I can do about it. That saves you a call-out from me.

This is one for the grid operator, not for me

If the whole street is dark, the fault is on the grid.

You can report it to your grid operator. Their outage map usually shows within a few minutes whether the fault is known and how long it will take. You don't need to call an electrician, and an electrician couldn't do anything about it either.

What to do best in the dark

Close the freezer and the fridge and keep them closed; then they easily last around eight hours.
Switch heavy appliances off, so not everything starts at once when the power comes back.
Leave one light on, so you see straight away when the power is back.

More information: is it my house or the street. Not right after all, and only your home is dark? Then go back and choose a different answer.

Why do I ask this?

The part from the street up to and including the main fuse belongs to the grid operator. It is sealed and I'm not allowed to touch it.

Call me

What is switched down in your meter cupboard?

Open the door of the meter cupboard and take a good look. Leave the cover of the consumer unit closed.

The difference

A wide switch with a test button (T): an RCD. It protects several circuits at once, which is why a whole part of the house is often dark.
A narrow switch with just a number (B16, C16): a circuit breaker. Then one circuit goes off.
A narrow switch with a test button: an RCBO. Then choose the narrow switch.

Why do I ask this?

Which switch has tripped tells me almost everything about what's going on.

Then the problem is probably before your meter cupboard

Only your home is dark and everything in your unit is on.

Then it's usually the main fuse or the service head, and that belongs to the grid operator. The grid operator replaces a blown main fuse, usually within a few hours and free of charge.

Can you see discolouration or is there a burning smell? Mention that straight away when you report it.

If you still want me to come and look, carry on. If you're unsure, feel free to call me: 043 204 18 26.

More information: is it my house or the street.

Why do I ask this?

The part from the street up to and including the main fuse belongs to the grid operator. It is sealed and neither you nor I may touch it.

Switch it back on once. Does it stay on?

Once is enough. If it trips again straight away, leave it off.

Yes, it stays onIt trips again after a whileNo, it trips again straight awayI'd rather not, or it doesn't work

Don't keep resetting until it happens to stay on. If it trips three times in a row, something really is wrong.

Why do I ask this?

A switch that trips is doing its job. Whether it stays on tells me if it was a spike or if something is broken.

Good, then it's working again

If it stays on, it was often a spike or one appliance.

Plug the appliances back in one by one, with half a minute in between. If it trips with a particular appliance, you've found the cause.

Is it happening more and more often, or can't you find anything and it keeps happening? Then I'm happy to come and look. That can be a regular appointment, without an emergency surcharge.

More information: the RCD keeps tripping and the circuit breaker trips.

Why do I ask this?

That saves you a call-out and costs if it's already solved.

Are your fridge or freezer without power?

Even if it's only one circuit.

YesNoI don't know

Why do I ask this?

Then I know whether it's urgent for your food, and you know how long it stays good.

Do I need to come urgently, or can it wait?

The costs differ. All excluding materials.

A regular appointmentAt a free time in my diary. No emergency surcharge.

Call-out charge: €59,99
First hour of labour: €85,00
Together, excl. VAT: €144,99
Together, incl. 21% VAT: €175,44

UrgentThe first free time, today or tomorrow. With an emergency surcharge.

Call-out charge: €59,99
Emergency surcharge: €95,00
First hour of labour: €85,00
Together, excl. VAT: €239,99
Together, incl. 21% VAT: €290,39

You pay nothing in advance. After the work you receive the invoice by email and pay it in one go. I assess materials on site; they are listed separately on the invoice.

If it takes longer than an hour, the extra time goes on the invoice at the same hourly rate. You will see the mileage charge from Ulestraten and any Saturday or Sunday surcharge in the overview, before you confirm anything.

Why do I ask this?

You only pay an emergency surcharge if I come urgently. If it can wait for a regular appointment, you don't pay it.

Anything else you'd like to tell me?

A few words is enough. It may also be left blank.

Description

I already have your answers to the previous questions.

Why do I ask this?

The more I know beforehand, the better I can bring the right materials.

Is it for yourself or for a business?

For a business I fetch the details from the KvK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce).

For myself, privateFor a business

Why do I ask this?

A business gets the invoice in the company name.

What is the KvK number (Dutch Chamber of Commerce)?

Eight digits. I fetch the company name and address.

KvK number

Why do I ask this?

With the KvK number the company name is right on the invoice straight away.

At which address do I need to be?

Postcode and house number are enough. I look up the rest.

Postcode

House number

Addition

Why do I ask this?

With the address I work out the travel time and the mileage from Ulestraten, and see which times fit.

When suits you?

Free times from my diary. On Saturdays and Sundays a surcharge applies to labour and the call-out charge.

Please fill in your address first.

Why do I ask this?

Choose a time that suits you; I'll be there.

What is your name?

This is how I'll address you.

First name

Surname

Why do I ask this?

Your name goes on the appointment and the invoice.

To which email address should I send the confirmation?

I send the confirmation of the appointment there, and the invoice after the work.

Email address

Why do I ask this?

I only use your email address for this appointment.

Which number can I call you on?

For example when I'm on my way or want to ask something.

Phone number

Why do I ask this?

That way I can reach you when I'm on my way.

Is everything right?

Take your time to check it. Only then do you confirm it.

Calculating...

I agree to the terms and conditions.I expressly ask for the work to be carried out at the chosen time, even if that falls within the 14-day cooling-off period. I understand that if I cancel after the work has started, I pay for what has been done by then.

You pay nothing in advance. After the work you receive the invoice by email and pay it in one go. I assess materials on site; they are listed separately on the invoice.

Why do I ask this?

Here you see exactly what you are confirming, with all amounts.

Report a fault and book an appointment

Can you smell burning, see smoke or sparks, or is something hot or discoloured?

Please do this first, then I'll help you further

Where is the power off?

This is one for the grid operator, not for me

What to do best in the dark

What is switched down in your meter cupboard?

The difference

Then the problem is probably before your meter cupboard

Switch it back on once. Does it stay on?

With an RCD

With a circuit breaker

With the main switch

Good, then it's working again

Are your fridge or freezer without power?

Keep them closed

Do I need to come urgently, or can it wait?

Anything else you'd like to tell me?

Is it for yourself or for a business?

What is the KvK number (Dutch Chamber of Commerce)?

At which address do I need to be?

When suits you?

What is your name?

To which email address should I send the confirmation?

Which number can I call you on?

Is everything right?