Andrew Procter
If you have voltage showing at the lamp holder. Sounds like a neutral wire has disconnected somewhere. Hopefully it would be in the wall light fittings. It could also be a neutral connection in the main room ceiling light that the wall light neutral wires both connect to. He probably had to undo the fittings to paint around. It all depends how it has been originally wired, as lights can be wired and switched in several different ways. Hope this helps, Andy
