Questions & answers
The things people ask.
In roughly the order you'd ask them — who turns up, how old the company really is, what an estimate costs, whether we genuinely do farm work, choosing an EV charger, and which piece of testing paperwork you actually need.
Who you're dealing with
01Who is AJ4 Electrical?
AJ4 Electrical Ltd is Aaron Pledger — a sole-director electrician based at Sewards End, just outside Saffron Walden. We cover domestic, agricultural, commercial, new-build and social-housing electrical work across Saffron Walden, Cambridge, Bishop's Stortford and the surrounding villages, plus contracts further across the South East.
How long have you been going?
AJ4 Electrical Ltd was incorporated on 3 July 2023, and we'd rather tell you that plainly than imply otherwise. Before AJ4, Aaron worked for Chris Rix Electrical, a firm that had served Newport, Saffron Walden and Bishop's Stortford for over forty years; when Rix stopped general electrical contracting, AJ4 picked up a good part of that customer book.
Who will actually turn up?
Aaron. One electrician, one van. That's the whole appeal and the whole limitation — the person who quotes the job is the person who does it, and also the person who can't answer the phone while he's holding a screwdriver.
Are you registered with a scheme?
We display the NICEIC approved contractor badge and the myenergi approved installer badge on our own site. We don't print scheme numbers on a web page, because a number on a page proves nothing — ask us and we'll email you our current certification and insurance before you commit to anything.
Can I check the company itself?
Please do. AJ4 Electrical Ltd, company number 14976044, incorporated 3 July 2023, still active, sole director Aaron Pledger. The Companies House record is public and takes thirty seconds.
Getting hold of us and getting a price
02What are your hours?
We don't publish fixed office hours, because a one-van firm that promised nine-to-five would be lying by half past eight. Ring or text 07792 602159, or email info@aj4electrical.co.uk — both get picked up, and you'll get a call back once the van has stopped.
Do you do emergency call-outs?
We don't advertise a 24-hour service we couldn't honestly staff. What we do instead is prioritise: a farm with a breakdown in the middle of harvest, and an existing customer with no power, both go to the front of the queue. Ring and tell us what's actually happened.
How much will it cost?
Get in touch for a free estimate — no job too big or small. We don't publish a price list because the same job in two different houses genuinely isn't the same job, and a menu price would mean padding it to cover the worst case.
Do you charge for a site visit?
No. For anything beyond a small repair we'd rather come and look before quoting, and that visit and the estimate are free.
Farms and agricultural work
03Do you really do farm work, or is it a line on the website?
It's a real part of the business. Control panels for grain handling systems, machinery breakdowns, three-phase into barns and workshops, drying floors, yard lighting and periodic inspection of farm installations. Most domestic electricians decline a farm call in October; we don't.
Can you build a control panel or only install one?
Both. Panels get designed around the motors, starters and interlocks that are actually on site — which is usually the difference between a panel that works and a panel someone bypasses within a season.
Our barn wiring is a mystery. Where do we start?
With a trace and a written report. We'll tell you what's dangerous, what's simply untidy and what's fine, so you can plan the work over a couple of quiet months rather than all at once.
EV chargers
04Which charger should I buy?
We'd rather answer that after seeing where you park. Which side the car's socket is on, how far the cable has to reach, whether you want it tethered, what the supply can carry and whether you have solar worth diverting. There's a full walk-through on our EV charging page.
Do I have to have the brand you're approved for?
No. Our own site shows us as an approved myenergi installer, so zappi units are familiar ground, but we can work with any brand of charger and we'll say so if we think a different unit suits your setup better.
My charger has stopped working — can you look at it?
Yes, including units we didn't install. Send the make, the model and a photo of the display and we'll give you an honest view on whether it's worth repairing before anyone talks about replacing it.
Can you put chargers on a farmyard or a business car park?
Yes, and more than one is a different design problem from one on a house — load sharing, where the board sits, and cable sized for a longer run than the manufacturer's diagram assumes. Worth designing as a scheme even if you only fit the first this year.
Testing, landlords and contracts
05What's the difference between an EICR and a PAT test?
An EICR inspects and tests the fixed wiring — board, circuits, earthing, accessories. PAT testing covers the things that plug in, with a visual inspection plus an instrument test. Landlords generally need both; most people ring us asking for one and needing the other.
How often does a rented property need testing?
Private landlords in England must have the fixed wiring inspected and tested at least every five years, give the tenant a copy, and put right any C1, C2 or FI item within 28 days. We're happy to do the report alone if you'd rather price remedials elsewhere.
Do you take on social housing and local authority contracts?
Yes — electrical contracts for local authorities and housing associations across the South East, including void works, periodic inspection and remedials in occupied homes.
Do you do PAT testing for small businesses and village halls?
Regularly. Offices, shops, holiday lets and halls. You get a register of what was tested and what came out of service, and sensible risk-based intervals rather than everything tested annually because it's easier to invoice.