Rebecca wrote:
Hi,

Due to a forthcoming baby arrival, whilst decorarting the
nursery-to-be we need to recess the existing sockets into the wall
(to
save headbumps at the later crawling stage!) and I have been told by
a
helpful handyman that this is something we can do, as opposed to
having to get an expensive electrician in. (He could do it but is
trying to save us money).

Not knowing much (understatement!) about this, can you please give
me
your opinion as to whether this is correct and something Joe Bloggs
can do?

As I understand it, all we have to do is turn off the electicity
supply, and chisel out a hole in the wall for the box to fit into,
slot it in and hey presto. Is it really as easy as that?

Mind you, our walls appear to be made of 1930s steel lined bricks so
chiselling out a hole (or three) may be quite a task.

Can anyone give me any tips as to how to make this go smoothly and
any
tools which may be helpful?

Your help would be much appreciated!
Thanks
Rebecca

It sounds as though you have surface mounted sockets and wish them to
be refitted flush with the wall.

The usual way to do this is to buy a metal recessed switch housing (to
suit the socket you have if possible) mark the proposed position on
the wall, remove the old socket if it is in the way, check that there
are no buried pipes or cables in the area, drill a series of holes
around the edges of the marked hole to a suitable depth for the new
socket housing, use a chisel and hammer to join the holes up and
finish off the recess, fix the metal housing in the bottom of the
hole, plaster up round the edges and reattach the socket unit and wire
it in.

If you are good then the above will only take a few hours per socket
and parts will only be a couple of quid.

Tools needed good drill, preferably with depth gauge, sharp chisel and
hammer, few screwdrivers and odds like that.

Main problems are whether the old wiring is suitable condition and
position.

DIY stores sell a plastic jig that you screw to the wall first and
drill round all the edges, these are pretty useful. There are also
professional box sinking drills, but they are serious money.

MrCheerful