Mistakes I Made in My First Year as an Electrician

By Andrew Smith

When I joined my first company as an electrician in London, I thought I was ready. I had the training, the tools, and just enough confidence to believe I’d figured things out. Looking back now, that confidence was the first mistake.

London has a way of humbling you quickly—especially when you work with electricity in buildings older than most countries’ electrical codes.

One of my earliest mistakes was assuming every job would be straightforward. I remember walking into a flat in North London, seeing a simple light issue, and thinking it would be a quick fix. I didn’t slow down. I didn’t double-check the wiring history. Ten minutes in, I realised the setup had been modified multiple times over decades. What should’ve been a calm repair turned into a careful rewind and restart. That day taught me that rushing costs more time than patience ever will.

Another mistake was not asking enough questions. In my first year, I felt pressure to look capable all the time. If a senior electrician explained something once, I nodded—even when I wasn’t completely sure. London jobs move fast, and nobody likes delays, but pretending you understand helps no one. The moment I started asking questions openly was the moment my work improved.

I also underestimated how much communication matters. I thought my job ended at fixing the issue. It doesn’t. Clients want reassurance. They want to know why something went wrong and what you’ve done to make it safe. Early on, I’d fix the problem and move on. Over time, I learned that taking two extra minutes to explain builds trust faster than perfect technical work alone.

Working across different areas—from modern apartments to old terraced houses—showed me another lesson the hard way: never assume the condition of a property based on how it looks. Some of the cleanest homes had the most chaotic wiring behind the walls. That’s when I learned to respect the unseen part of the job.

My biggest mistake, though, was thinking mistakes themselves were failures. In reality, they were teachers. Every misjudgement sharpened my awareness. Every correction made me safer, more thorough, and more confident in the right way.

That first year in London wasn’t about becoming perfect. It was about becoming careful, curious, and responsible. And honestly, those lessons still guide me every single day I pick up my tools.

If you’re starting out in any trade—or any job at all—know this: mistakes aren’t the enemy. Ignoring them is.

Faqs

Was this story based on real experience?
Yes. The situations described are drawn from real early-career experiences, though some details are kept general to respect privacy and keep the focus on lessons learned.

Is this advice only relevant to electricians?
Not at all. While the examples come from electrical work, the lessons—patience, communication, and learning from mistakes—apply to any profession.

Why focus on mistakes instead of successes?
Because mistakes are often where the real learning happens. Sharing them honestly helps others avoid the same errors and builds trust through transparency.

What was the hardest lesson to learn in the first year?
Slowing down. Rushing to appear efficient often leads to missed details, especially in older buildings where every system has a history.

Does working in London make the job more challenging?
Yes. London’s mix of old and modern properties means no two jobs are the same, which requires adaptability, caution, and constant learning.

Would you recommend this career to someone starting out?
Absolutely—if they’re willing to stay curious, ask questions, and treat safety and learning as lifelong priorities.