With the evenings staying lighter for longer, chances are you’re spending more time out in the garden.
Whether that’s dinner outside, catching up with friends over a glass of wine, or just sitting out with a cup of tea after a long day, summer in Basingstoke is the time to actually use that space.
A few small electrical touches can make a real difference to how much you get out of it, so here are some ideas worth considering this season.
Garden lighting worth having
There’s something about a well-lit garden that changes the whole feel of an evening.
A couple of path lights leading down to the patio, a spotlight picking out a tree or a nice bit of planting, or some soft lighting around a seating area can turn a garden you use for an hour after work into somewhere you want to spend the whole evening.
It’s a job that sounds bigger than it actually is.
In most cases a straightforward garden lighting installation can be completed in a day, and it’s the kind of upgrade that gets used and appreciated every single week of summer, not just for the odd barbecue.
It’s worth knowing that any new circuit run outside, whether it’s for lighting, sockets, or anything else, is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Gardens aren’t classed as a “special location” in the wiring regulations the way bathrooms or pools are, but new outdoor circuits still need to be installed and certified properly by someone who knows what they’re doing.
A qualified electrician will handle the certification as standard, so it’s one less thing to think about.
Is your outdoor socket up to scratch?
If you’re running fairy lights, a speaker, a pizza oven, or anything else off an outdoor socket this summer, it’s worth taking two minutes to check it’s properly weatherproofed and protected by an RCD.
Sockets fitted years ago, or fitted by someone without the right experience, are one of the more common issues electricians get called out for in summer.
Electrical Safety First’s guidance on garden electrics is worth a read if you want to understand the risks properly.
It’s a useful reminder that outdoor sockets, extension leads, and anything used near damp grass need RCD protection, since a simple job like mowing the lawn can turn dangerous if a cable is damaged and there’s no RCD to cut the power.
If you’re not sure what you’ve got, or you don’t have an outdoor socket at all and you’re tired of running extension leads out through a window, it’s worth having a professional take a look and sort it properly.
You can find the full guidance on notifiable electrical work, including outdoor circuits, on the Planning Portal’s Approved Document P page.
Thinking about a hot tub?
If a hot tub is on your wish list this summer, it’s one purchase where the electrics really do need to be right before it goes anywhere near water.
That typically means a dedicated circuit rated for the specific tub you’re buying, protected by a 30mA RCD, and installed to the proper safety standard rather than shared with any other appliance in the house.
Total Skills UK’s guide to hot tub electrical requirements sets out the detail clearly if you want to understand what’s involved before you buy. It’s not a job to leave to chance or hand off to whoever’s cheapest.
Getting it right the first time means no nasty surprises once the tub is delivered and ready to fill.
Getting your garden summer-ready
Whatever you’ve got planned for the garden this summer, big or small, a bit of electrical planning goes a long way toward making the space one you’ll actually use.
If you’d like advice on garden lighting, outdoor sockets, or a hot tub installation in Basingstoke and the surrounding area, GU Solutions is happy to help.
