How to Compare Electrician Quotes Like for Like
A simple method for comparing electrician quotes in the UK: what to line up, which gaps matter, and how to avoid choosing on headline price alone.
Three electricians, three quotes, three different numbers. It is tempting to take the lowest. The trouble is that quotes often describe subtly different jobs, so the totals are not directly comparable. This guide gives you a way to put them side by side.
Start by writing your own brief
Before you request any quotes, write a short specification so every electrician prices the same thing. Include:
- What you want done, room by room.
- Numbers: how many sockets, lights, switches, circuits.
- Any special requirements, such as outdoor power or a dedicated appliance circuit.
- Whether you will supply any fittings.
- Access constraints, such as flats, parking or pets.
- Preferred dates.
Photos of the consumer unit and the work area help enormously. If you use Compito, the request form is a convenient place to collect these details so each offer responds to the same information.
Quote or estimate?
These words are used loosely, but the difference matters.
- A quote is a fixed price for a defined scope.
- An estimate is an informed guess that can change.
Ask which one you have, and what circumstances would cause the figure to move.
The comparison grid
Make a simple table with a column for each electrician and rows for:
| Item | What to note |
|---|---|
| Total price | Including or excluding VAT |
| Labour and materials | Separate or combined |
| Testing and certificate | Included or extra |
| Notification | Who does it and any fee |
| Making good | Plastering, filling, redecorating |
| Waste and tidy | Removal of old equipment |
| Timescale | Start date and duration |
| Payment terms | Deposit, stage payments, final balance |
| Registration | Scheme and number |
Gaps in the grid are the story. A quote that leaves most rows blank is not cheaper, it is just undefined.
What the differences usually mean
- Much lower price. Check whether testing, certification or materials are missing, or whether the electrician has misunderstood the job.
- Much higher price. They may have allowed for access problems or defects you have not seen, or be including extras. Ask for a breakdown.
- Wide variation in time. It can mean different methods or a different understanding of the scope.
- Vague wording. Phrases like "electrical works as discussed" are a prompt to ask for more detail.
Questions that sharpen the comparison
- What assumptions have you made about access and condition?
- What happens if you find faults in the existing wiring?
- What is your hourly rate for extras?
- How long is the quote valid for?
For a full list, see questions to ask an electrician before hiring. To check prices against typical ranges, read how much an electrician costs.
Beyond price
Consider communication, clarity and how quickly they responded. Read reviews where they exist and look for patterns, such as comments about tidiness, punctuality and explanations. The best value is usually the electrician who is clear about what you are getting, registered for the work, and realistic about timescale.
A worked example
You ask three electricians to price a kitchen refit's electrics: eight double sockets, six downlights, an oven circuit and a new consumer unit. Quote A is lowest but does not mention testing, a certificate or making good. Quote B is mid-priced and itemises everything including notification. Quote C is the highest, with the same items but also an allowance for chasing in a solid wall and replastering. On the surface A looks like the winner, yet once you add a plasterer and ask for a certificate it may well cost more than B. The grid above is what exposes this. The figures are illustrative.
Red flags in the wording of a quote
- "Electrical works as discussed" with no breakdown.
- No mention of testing, certification or notification.
- A price that excludes VAT without saying so, where VAT applies.
- A very short validity period that pressures a quick decision.
- No stated start date or duration.
Edge cases
- Landlords with several properties: ask for consistent specifications so quotes can be compared across addresses.
- Flats: include access details, parking and lift availability, as these affect labour.
- Period homes: ask how each electrician would deal with unexpected old wiring, and how extras are priced.
- Staged projects: agree whether quotes cover only the first stage or the full project.
After you choose
Confirm the accepted quote in writing, including scope, price, timescale and certification, and keep a copy. If the scope changes, ask for the change in writing before extra work is done. Do not pay the full balance until you have seen the work and, where applicable, received the certificate.
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three well-specified quotes are usually enough. More than that can create confusion unless the job is large.
Should I tell electricians about other quotes?
You do not need to share figures, but you can say you are comparing. Be honest and avoid inventing numbers.
Can I negotiate?
Often a little, particularly on timing or bundling jobs. Pushing too hard on price can lead to corners being cut, so negotiate scope and schedule before pure cost.
Is a quote that includes materials better?
It can be clearer, provided it lists what is being supplied. A quote that bundles everything is easier to compare, but ask for the main fittings and any allowances to be listed.