The light turns on only every second press, the rocker feels loose, you hear crackling, or there is a click but nothing happens. That does not always mean the switch has to be replaced. In many cases, tightening a contact, changing the rocker spring, or fastening the mechanism properly in the back box is enough. In flats in Ochota and Praga Polnoc we often come across old switches that still work fine — they just need the contact group cleaned up and adjusted.
Repair cost
The cost comes down to how serious the fault is. Tightening contacts and securing the mechanism takes little time and costs less. Replacing the contact group or repairing cables is a bit more expensive. If the mechanism is beyond saving, full replacement works out cheaper. All electrical service prices are listed in the table.
| Service | min | max |
|---|---|---|
| Light switch installation | 50 zł/szt | 90 zł/szt |
| Light switch replacement | 60 zł/szt | 60 zł/szt |
| Light switch repair | 60 zł/szt | 120 zł/szt |
| Electrical socket installation | 80 zł/szt | 120 zł/szt |
| Electrical socket replacement | 50 zł/szt | 80 zł/szt |
| Electrical socket repair | 60 zł/szt | 100 zł/szt |
| Electrical point installation | 120 zł/pkt | 180 zł/pkt |
| Wall chasing for wiring | 40 zł/mb | 70 zł/mb |
| Electrical wiring installation | 15 zł/mb | 30 zł/mb |
| Junction box wiring connection | 40 zł/szt | 80 zł/szt |
| Lighting installation (lamp, chandelier) | 80 zł/szt | 150 zł/szt |
| Lighting replacement | 150 zł/szt | 150 zł/szt |
| Lighting repair | 120 zł | 250 zł |
| LED strip installation | 60 zł/mb | 90 zł/mb |
| LED transformer installation | 150 zł/szt | 220 zł/szt |
| Light bulb / halogen replacement | 30 zł/szt | 50 zł/szt |
| Power socket installation 230/400 V | 120 zł/szt | 220 zł/szt |
What can be repaired
- Loose terminal contact — the cable is not held tightly, the light flickers or stays off.
- Broken or tired rocker spring — the rocker jams and does not spring back into place.
- Loose mechanism — the switch shifts in the wall when you press it.
- Oxidised contacts — cleaning and reconnecting.
- Cracked frame or rocker — replacement of decorative parts.
- Short cables — extending them with connectors.
How the repair works
- We switch off the circuit at the board and check it with an indicator.
- Take off the rocker and frame, then pull out the mechanism.
- Check the contacts, cables, springs and back box.
- Repair the fault: tighten terminals, clean contacts, replace the spring or extend the cables.
- Fix the mechanism firmly in the back box, then put the frame and rocker back.
- Turn the circuit back on and test everything.
When repair is pointless
- The contact group is fully burnt out — there is nothing left to repair.
- The mechanism housing has melted due to overheating.
- The switch is an outdated standard — no matching parts are available.
- Mechanical wear is so heavy that the spring and rocker cannot be changed.
Warning: repairing a switch is electrical work. Even when the circuit is isolated, always check that there is no voltage with an indicator. If you are not sure, call a professional.
What to prepare
- Show us where the consumer unit is located.
- Explain the issue: not working, flickering, rocker sticking, crackling when pressed.
- If more than one switch is affected, let us know right away.
- Make sure there is access — move furniture away from the wall.
A real case from Warsaw
A client in Ochota called us because a bedroom switch had stopped switching the light on, although the bulb was fine. We took the switch out and found the cable in the terminal was hanging on by one strand; the rest had oxidised and broken away. We stripped the cable and crimped the contact again. We also saw that the mechanism was fixed by just one lug — the second one had snapped. We fastened it straight into the back box. The switch now works like new, and there was no need to replace it (compatible with Legrand, Schneider Electric, ABB and similar).
Frequently asked questions
Why does the light flicker when I switch it on?
The most likely cause is a bad contact inside the switch. The cable is not tightened properly or the contact plate has oxidised. Repair fixes the issue.
The switch crackles — is that dangerous?
Yes. Crackling means there is an electric arc between the contacts. With time, the contact burns out completely, and overheating can happen. It needs urgent repair or replacement.
The rocker sticks — can it be fixed?
If the spring is still intact, adjusting the mechanism may be enough. If the spring has broken, sometimes it can be changed; in other cases, installing a new switch is easier.
How long does a repair take?
Tightening contacts — 10–15 minutes. If cables have to be extended or the back box needs replacing — up to 40 minutes.
Can the technician decide on the spot — repair or replace?
Yes. Once the cover is removed, the condition of the mechanism and contacts can be seen straight away. The decision is made on the spot.
Book a switch repair
We repair switches all over Warsaw: tighten contacts, clean terminals, replace springs and secure loose mechanisms. If fixing it makes no sense, we will recommend a replacement. Get in touch — we will come over and deal with it.