Safest / easiest way to cover and fill wall holes left by electrician?

[NewHouseNoMoney]

We’ve had electricians in and they have moved some sockets and removed some old ones. Consequently we have a variety of holes in various walls, each about the size of an iPhone.

Cables are exposed in the walls so we’re wondering what is the safest way to cover the electrical gubbins and fill in the holes on top?

With filler, obviously.

But there are voids in the walls…

Surely the electricians should have filled them up?

The socket isn't even straight

Surprised they left them like that. You can buy blanking plates which will cover old sockets, they aren't pretty but will hide the holes.

Were they an actual electrician? As pp that socket looks as wonky as f...

That's awful!!

It is straight; I took it at an angle!

Not all electricians make good; those who do charge more.

Here we go… Nice and straight!

Thank you for the suggestion of blanking plates. I was hoping to get something that would mean a flush plaster finish though.

You need something to fill the hole so you can put filler over the top. A bit of plasterboard cut down to size would be perfect but other things would work too. B&Q and the like often have broken sheets of plasterboard going very cheap and you’d only need a little bit. You score the paper and it snaps cleanly and easily.

You need to buy some plasterboard and trim around the holes to make the square.
Cut out the same shape in new plasterboard and inserting the space. Apply polyfilla to the edges to stick. When patch has set cover it in polyfilla with a putty knife. When you are happy with the levels smooth it off with a damp sponge to blend it in with the existing wall. When it's all dried if there are any lumpy bit they van be sanded smooth with sandpaper. Once dry it can be painted over.

Sorry @NewHouseNoMoney it still doesn't look straight to my eye and the screw heads don't align either.

I'd use Toupret filler for the deep holes and skim with Polyfiller.

When we had our house rewired, they put a square of plasterboard inside the deep holes, then polyfillered over the top, then we had the walls reskimmed as we were redecorating everywhere as well.

I second Toupret (just bung it in and let it dry) but would say get some ready mix skim for the top coat.

If you're concerned about the wires, you could get some trunking and then Toupret over/round.

Buy wall repair patches so the hole behind remains infilled and the wires are left alone. Then just use filler over the top. I did this when I had a gas line tapped off.

unfilled not infilled!

You need to get a plasterer in. Small job, in and out in a couple of hours.

That's rubbish. I can't believe anyone would regard that as a completed job,esoecially the socket.
Did his/her guide dog not seem concerned?

Typically on an actual rewire electricians do the wiring, and you get a plasterer to do the filling.
On our big rewire, the plasterers were not very good- sprayed foam round the holes round the new sockets and just plastred over it. Naturally, the plaster cracked. We are working on them as we decorate each room, taking the foam and plaster out and using plasterboard or proper plaster filling, depending on what the wall is like- for plasterboardsd walls, plasterboard, for direct brick, plaster.

Yes @BlueMongoose, we had hoped to get a plasterer in but unfortunately can’t find one who is available until September, so I am more than happy to do a DIY job myself!

Thanks all for the tips. One question about those patches @Biscuitandacuppa they look perfect but do you know if it is it ok to have the aluminium so close to the electricity?

That is really poor work and I would be calling him back. Or actually don't call him back!

Thanks for the feedback on how shit it is, makes me feel crap and there’s literally nothing I can do about it now - well there is, which is what I’m trying to do! Clearly I posted in AIBU for a pile on. My mistake!

You can get premixed plaster in a pot for when you have packed the hole with plasterboard or even bits of wood, dpending on how you can fix thing to the wall behind or whatever. If you choose a premixed type that can be used fairly thick, it will help. When you have filled the bulk of it with plasterboard or plaster, and it is all dry, this stuff is good for filling any cracks and little holes: www.allenbraithwaite.co.uk/tools-accessories/fillers-and-sealants/fillers/mangers-all-purpose-ready-mixed-filler-1kg.html
Pricey but very good. Easy to smooth with a scraper when wet. Dries faster than the traditional fillers, and is very easy to sand.