How much does electrician cost in United Kingdom?
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Key takeaways
- Most electrician jobs in United Kingdom land between £60–£1,000 — known locally as electrician.
- In England and Wales, Part P of the Building Regulations makes certain domestic electrical work notifiable — it must be done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT) or inspected by building control. Landlords must hold a valid EICR (renewed at least every 5 years) for rented homes.
- Prices below are researched national ranges, updated July 2026 — not quotes.
Electrician prices by job size in United Kingdom
| Job size | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Socket or switch replacement Like-for-like swap on existing wiring | £60 | £100 | £180 |
| Light fixture installation Replace or fit new fixture on existing circuit | £60 | £120 | £220 |
| Consumer unit replacement New board with RCBO protection incl. certification | £450 | £650 | £1,000 |
| EICR inspection Condition report for a 3-bed house | £150 | £200 | £300 |
Per-unit rates
| Unit | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| per hour | £40 | £50 | £70 |
| day rate | £300 | £400 | £500 |
What affects the price
- Job size and scope — bigger or more complex jobs move you up the ranges above.
- Access and condition — hard-to-reach areas, older properties or neglected maintenance add labour time.
- Materials and quality level — where materials are involved, the grade you choose often matters more than labour.
- Urgency — same-day or out-of-hours work usually carries a premium.
- Where you live — large metros in United Kingdom typically run above the national range; smaller towns below it.
How to save
- Get at least three quotes and compare like-for-like scopes, not just totals.
- Be flexible on timing — off-peak slots are often cheaper.
- Bundle related tasks into one visit to spread call-out costs.
- Agree the scope in writing up front to avoid change-order surprises.
How to hire a electrician pro in United Kingdom
- For notifiable work (new circuits, consumer unit changes, work in bathrooms), use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme — NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA — so the work self-certifies under Part P of the Building Regulations
- Ask for an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or Minor Works Certificate on completion — don't pay the balance without it
- Get the hourly rate or day rate agreed up front (typically £45-£60/hr, day rate ~£350-£450)
- For bigger jobs, get 2-3 quotes on Checkatrade or MyBuilder with identical scope (points, chasing, making good)
- For house purchases or older homes, commission an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)
- Confirm public liability insurance
Red flags
- Notifiable work offered without Part P registration or building control notification
- No certificate offered for completed work
- 'Fuse board change, cash, no paperwork' — the classic red flag
- Quotes that exclude making good chased walls without saying so
- No insurance
How Handld researches prices
These are researched estimates, not quotes and not our transaction data. We compile ranges from published sources — national statistics, trade bodies and incumbent cost guides — normalise them to GBP, and adjust city pages by a population-based cost tier. Last updated July 2026. Basis: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/electrician-hourly-rate/; https://www.mybuilder.com/electrical/price-guides/hourly-rate-electricians.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as an electrical emergency?
Burning smells from outlets or the panel, sparking, buzzing from the consumer unit, repeated breaker trips you can't isolate, and any exposed live wiring — switch off the affected circuit (or the main switch) and call an emergency electrician. A single dead outlet or a tripped breaker that resets and holds is a next-business-day job at standard rates.
Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?
Three usual causes: an overloaded circuit (too many high-draw appliances on one circuit), a short circuit (damaged cable or appliance), or an earth-leakage fault picked up by an RCD/GFCI — often a failing appliance or moisture ingress. Unplug everything on the circuit and reset; if it holds, plug things back one at a time to find the culprit. If it trips with nothing plugged in, call an electrician.
Are cheap electricians worth the risk?
Electrical is the wrong trade to shop on price alone: bad work hides inside walls, can void insurance, and is a fire risk that surfaces years later. A sane approach: verify the licence/registration first (non-negotiable), then compare 2-3 licensed quotes and choose on communication and scope clarity rather than the lowest number.
Is it legal to do my own electrical work?
It depends heavily on the country: some ban almost all DIY electrical work (Australia, New Zealand), others allow minor like-for-like swaps but restrict new circuits and consumer-unit work to registered electricians. Beyond legality, uncertified electrical work can void home insurance and surface as a problem when you sell. When in doubt, check your local rules before touching anything.
How much does an electrician cost in the UK?
Hourly rates typically run £45-£60 (average around £50), with day rates of £350-£450. Emergency call-outs run £80-£100+ per hour. London and the South East price 20-40% above the national average.
What is an EICR and when do I need one?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal inspection of your wiring, typically £150-£300 for a house. Landlords in England legally need one at least every 5 years; buyers should get one on any home older than 25 years or with signs of DIY wiring. It grades defects C1 (danger) to C3 (improvement recommended).
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