Can I change plug sockets?

[Flyingoutofcontrol]

Not planning to do this DIY as I don't trust either DH or myself but I want to know if this is possible?

We have single plug sockets in a few locations where a double socket would (for us) be more practical.

I'm looking to get an electrician in anyway for a few little jobs (sorting a light that's died completely and changing mains smoke detectors) and I wondered if it was possi me to easily change a plug from one socket into two - if not, it's not a huge issue - but if it can be done with a simple fix like widening the hole in the plasterboard, then I'd like to ask him - but I don't want to look like a plonker for asking the impossible!

Anything is possible ime but it does often depend on how deep your pockets are

yes, easy

with a brick and plaster wall, it makes quite a bit of dust and grit, and will need redecorating afterwards (electricians are not usually good at plastering)

if it is plasterboard, there might or might not be enough depth of space behing it to fit a new backbox without chopping out the wall behind (backboxes are usually 30mm deep from the face of the wall). If there is enough depth, it can be done by cutting a bigger hole in the plasterboard.

it is even easier if you can put up with a surface mounted socket, with the box sticking out of the wall. Sometimes that will do until you are ready to redecorate the room. However if the wires behind have foolishly been cut very short, you will probably need an electrician to lengthen them with a reliable and safe joint.

It should be more economical to have several sockets done at the same time.

We had an electrician out to do ours and did four in total (two in each bedroom). TBH DH & I couldn't be bothered to do it and make a mess, plus our plaster is awful and it fell away in big chunks!!

It was quite cheap so we felt it was worth it, plus he did it really quickly and hoovered up afterwards. I just had to come home and use them

Hmm. Don't feel silly about asking him then. Admittedly I haven't exactly run it past DH, but I'm getting annoyed with extension cables in the bedroom - there's a socket high up for a tv, but we need an extension lead to cope with the set top box and it's a bit precarious, so I think an extra socket would be ideal. It's behind a tv so I think I could maybe cope with a wall mounted job.

Thanks for all the help!