News from Steve Rudkin Electrical Contractors

Holywell Hall is a magnificent Grade II listed country estate with an abundance of character and style. It was purchased by its current owners in 2013 and since then has been extensively renovated to creating a stunning wedding and events venue. As well as a manor house, the estate also features a church, boat house, orangery, fishing pavilion and accompanying cottages.

Steve Rudkin Electrical Contractors were brought on board to provide complete renovation works to the house’s electrical infrastructure. As a listed property, the team worked closely with the design planning architects, Ross Thain Architects, to ensure original features were maintained

A range of lighting solutions were needed to create the appropriate atmosphere for ceremony, dining and entertainment spaces. The electrical system also needed to accommodate the entertainment and catering suppliers and therefore needed to be able to cope with large loads. Having undertaken similar project in the past, the team were able to advice on the best solution for this project. Close collaboration with the client meant that the team were able to adapt the scope where required and work in parallel with other contractors.

As well as the internal fit out, the team were also responsible for installing a lighting solution on the grounds of the estate. The impressive driveway, which measures a mile, received ground lights which created a dramatic approach to the venue. Outdoor reception areas and terraces received landscape lighting to creating night-time aesthetics. Uplighters and spotlights not only gave the desired look but also made the spaces more accessible for visitors.

The outhouses and accompanying buildings also received a complete refurbishment; including the church, boathouse and orangery. Again, care and attention were needed to maintain the buildings existing charms. Lighting was designed to create impact but not detract from the look of the building during daytime. The team designed solutions for each area that was in keeping with the style of the building.

This project combined the team’s ability to create practical solutions for a working business with their flair for design and aesthetics. The client was so pleased with the results that Steve Rudkin Electrical Contractors continue to provide ongoing maintenance for the estate and grounds.
If you need advice on your up-and-coming project please contact a member of our team.

The winter evenings are drawing in which inevitably means people are starting to think about how they can make their outside space more usable.  

Many people opt for outdoor lighting solutions to create a night time garden oasis or improve visibility around their property. Adding decorative lighting can also enhance the look of your property and garden and add curb appeal.  

When lighting your outside space there are a few things you need to consider; which property features to highlight such as stonework or landscaping, functional requirements such as lighting steps and walkways and finally security – will the lighting add extra protection to your home 

We list some of the different options available and their benefits. 

Spotlights & recessed lights 

Spotlights have a multitude of functions and can be used to create visibility and impact. Depending on the position of the spotlight, you can use these to uplight or downlight building features, large & small trees & shrubs etc.  LED strip/tape lighting can be used to illuminate features such as open log stores & gazebos.  

Wall lights 

Garden wall lights are decorative light fittings that come in numerous styles and designs. They can be used to illuminate porches, balconies and garden walls. A good wall light will be robust and hardwearing as it needs to endure varying weather conditions. Steve Rudkin offers a wide range of these products and they often come in various luminous colours.    

Path lights 

Path lights are both practical and decorative – illuminating paths, while creating an attractive garden feature. Path lights can also make walkways safer to use particularly if the surface is uneven. 

Post and bollard lights 

These are similar to path lights but come in larger sizes and are used to create a boundary. As well as highlighting walkways they can also separate lawn and paved areas or guide cars to parking spaces. 

Hardscape lights 

These are attached to paved or bricked areas within your garden and act as under or uplighters to enhance outdoor living spaces such as patios, steps and terraces. Durable and discreet, they provide functionality with aesthetics.  

Pedestal lights 

An attractive addition to any garden, these offer streetlamp style lighting to outdoor areas. Again, they come in many different styles and offer a high level of illumination. 

Floodlights 

Floodlights are predominantly used for security and visibility. They produce wide spanning bright light and work best in large spaces. This option is less about look and more about practicality. 

Steve Rudkin Electrical Contractors has many years of creating landscaping lighting designs for both domestic and commercial clients. The team takes time to review the area and the specific needs of the customer to produce the right solution.  

Whether it’s a large-scale contract or a home garden project – the team can provide complete project management and deliver a professional and quality install. Contact a member of the team today to find out how they can help with your next project. 

How to protect your home against lightning bolts and overvoltage

There’s no doubt that the weather is becoming more extreme. Hotter than average summers and wet winters are now the norm. As well as the impact climate change is having on the environment, there is also speculation that it is causing more powerful storms. We discuss how these storms, and other electrical surges, can impact your home and business.

In this blog you will discover:

• How big is the risk?
• How a surge protection device works?
• How do they work?
• Getting it installed

How big is the risk?                                                                                                                                    We all know the usual recommendations people make when there’s a lightning storm. Don’t stand near trees, avoid electrical equipment, steer clear of water. But do you know that there are precautions you can take to protect your home and business from lightening damage.

Amazingly 1 in every 200 homes will be struck by lightning each year. These strikes can create major problems with your electrical systems and appliances, and in extreme cases even start fires.

What some people may not know is that our houses are also susceptible to similar electrical surges following power cuts. However, there are cheap and hassle-free preventions that can give you peace of mind and reduce your insurance costs.

How do they work?
Surge protection devices work by intercepting incoming surges and redirecting the excess voltage. These devices can be fitted at the installation, at distribution boards and near terminal equipment.

It’s important to note that selecting the right type of protection will be dependent on the type of electrical installation and the equipment connected to it. An electrical engineer will be able review your property and its contents and advise accordingly.

Sometimes electricians recommend combining several levels of surge protection devices. This takes advantage of the best features of each device to improve the protection level for the equipment.

What are the benefits?
The benefits of fitting these protection mechanisms are numerous. Firstly, they stop the electrical surge from causing fires. This can happen when the surge comes to in to contact with flammable material such as gas pipes and wood. This is one of the most serious effects of lightning damage and can be catastrophic for the building and its occupants.

As mentioned above, the property’s electrical content is also at great risk. The immense surge of electrical energy travels through the circuit and can damage anything that is attached. TVs, fridges, washing machines and other expensive appliances are at risk, especially if they are frequently left plugged in.

Power cuts can also have similar effects, especially if the shortage lasts for a long time. Once the power returns, often there is a large surge of electrical current and this can damage appliances within the home in a similar way.

Insurers like the added assurance that these devices provide and often having one fitted will reduce your premium. Ask your provider about the cost benefits of these systems.

Getting it installed
Steve Rudkin Electrical Contractors have been installed these systems for both domestic and commercial clients for five years. The installation is quick and hassle-free

To find out more please contact a member of our friendly team.

Established in 1981, Rutland Cycling now boast 12 UK stores which feature dedicated electric bike centres and offer a wide range of products and services to suit all types of cyclists. With a growing market for activity-based hobbies, Rutland Cycling continues to broaden its retail footprint and opened a new store in Leicester, Everards Meadows, at the beginning of the summer.

Rutland Cycling’s Leicester premises was the first phase of a £30m development at Everards Meadows. Once complete, it will provide an exciting leisure and tourism destination for the Blaby District community and surrounding areas.

The 10,000 sq ft superstore features the latest in immersive, experiential shopping. Customers visiting the store will discover a full range of bikes and electric bikes, along with cycle clothing, parts and accessories and a fully Cytech-accredited workshop for servicing, repairs and custom upgrades. It also includes a purpose-built, traffic-free demo loop.

Steve Rudkin Electrical Contractors Ltd was appointed to provide the electrical fit-out for the new superstore. The client purchased the unit as an empty shell, so it needed a complete electrical installation.

Rutland Cycling provide a unique shopping experience for customers, so it was important that the lighting and aesthetics adhered to the corporate brand guidelines. The project team worked very closely with the client to come up with a design that encompassed the brand’s identity and helped guide the customer buying journey.

Specialist light boxes brought to life signage, directions and other graphical elements and branded LED light boxes illuminated the logo in a unique and eye-catching way. Display boxes were also installed, and display lighting ensured that merchandise was presented in an optimal way.

The latest LED track systems provided a versatile solution to allow for different types of spot and pendant lightening that can shift position. This is perfect for retail spaces where special offers and product offerings change from day-to-day.

Steve Rudkin engineers also worked with the client team to create a show-stopping centre piece in the building’s atrium entrance. Using wheels from old bikes and a bespoke lighting mechanism, the team were able to install something that was one-of-a-kind.

Sally Middlemiss, ecommerce & marketing director at Rutland Cycling, commented: “We’ve worked with Steve and the team on a number of projects and have always been delighted with the end result. Steve takes the time to understand our needs and the team work tirelessly to ensure that every detail is delivered just right. The Leicester store was a high-profile project for us, moving our retail experience up to the next level on a brand new site, just opposite Fosse Park. The lighting solution in store really helps showcase our bikes and deliver a premium look, while the bespoke bicycle wheel lights in the atrium add the final touch.”

The team provided a similar lighting and electrical solution for the client at their Milton Keynes store.