How Much Does an Electrician Cost in the UK?
Typical electrician hourly rates, day rates and common job prices in the UK, plus what pushes a quote up or down and how to avoid surprises.
Electrician pricing is one of the most variable costs in a home. A single socket swap and a full rewire can both be called "electrical work", yet they sit at opposite ends of the price scale. This guide explains how electricians usually charge, what typical ranges look like, and what makes a quote move.
Every figure here is a rough guide. Prices vary by region, the time of year and the difficulty of your property, so treat them as a way to sense-check quotes rather than as a fixed price list.
How electricians charge
Most electricians use one of three methods.
- Hourly rate. Typically somewhere around £40 to £70 an hour outside London, and often more in London and the South East. Handy for small, open-ended jobs.
- Day rate. Often around £250 to £450 a day depending on region and experience. Common for larger jobs where the work will clearly fill the day.
- Fixed price per job. Increasingly common for defined tasks such as adding a socket or replacing a consumer unit. You agree the scope and the number up front.
A fixed price is usually the easiest to budget for, provided the scope is written down clearly.
Typical prices for common jobs
The ranges below are broad guides for a standard UK home with reasonable access.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Replace a socket or light switch | Around £40 to £90 |
| Add a new socket on an existing circuit | Around £100 to £250 |
| Fit a new ceiling light | Around £60 to £150 |
| Electrical installation condition report | Around £120 to £300 |
| Replace a consumer unit | Around £400 to £900 |
| Full rewire of a 3-bed house | Often several thousand pounds |
Materials such as cable, fittings and accessories are sometimes included and sometimes listed separately, so ask which applies.
What pushes the price up
Several factors explain why two quotes for the "same" job differ.
- Access. Solid walls, floorboards that are fixed down, or a loft with no boarding all add time.
- Age of the installation. Older wiring can reveal problems once work starts, which can widen the scope.
- Location. London and the South East typically sit above the national average.
- Redecoration. Cutting channels in walls means making good afterwards, which some electricians price separately.
- Timing. Urgent, evening or weekend work usually costs more.
- Certification and testing. Properly tested and certified work takes time, and the paperwork is part of the job.
Why the cheapest quote is not always the best
A very low quote can mean skipped testing, no certificate, or a scope that quietly leaves things out. Fixed wiring is not a place to economise on competence, because faults can be hidden for years. Compare what each quote includes before you compare the total, and read how to compare electrician quotes for a checklist.
Ways to keep costs sensible
- Batch several small jobs into one visit so you pay for one call-out rather than three.
- Describe the job clearly with photos so the electrician can price it accurately.
- Be flexible on dates where you can.
- Decide placements of sockets and lights before the work starts, as changes mid-job cost time.
- Ask what is and is not included, including testing, certificates and making good.
If you want to see how a request works on Compito, how it works walks through sending a request and comparing offers, and services shows what you can ask for.
A worked example
A homeowner wants a socket added in a home office, two ceiling lights swapped for new fittings and a faulty light switch replaced. Booked separately, they would pay three minimum charges. Booked as one visit, an electrician might allow around half a day. At an hourly rate within the range above, plus a modest allowance for materials, the combined job would plausibly cost less than three separate visits. The exact total depends on access, wall construction and region, so use it only as a sense-check against real quotes.
Hidden extras to ask about
| Item | Why it can appear |
|---|---|
| Minimum charge | Short jobs billed at a half-day or hour minimum |
| Parking | Charged in busy city areas |
| Waste disposal | Old fittings and cable |
| Certification | Some firms charge separately for paperwork |
| VAT | Quoted exclusive of VAT by some businesses |
Edge cases
- Flats: limited access and parking can affect time and charges.
- Rented homes: the landlord normally pays for repairs to the installation, so check before paying yourself.
- Older homes: expect a little contingency, because wiring may need extra attention once uncovered.
- Small jobs far from the electrician's base: travel time may be reflected in the price.
When to call a professional
For anything that touches fixed wiring, use a registered electrician for notifiable work and ask for testing and certification. Do not attempt DIY on circuits, and isolate at the consumer unit before any visual inspection.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy the materials myself?
Sometimes the saving is small, and many electricians prefer to supply their own so they can stand behind the parts. If you want to supply fittings such as light fittings or decorative switches, agree this first and check they are suitable for the circuit.
Do electricians charge for quotes?
Many quote for straightforward jobs without charge, particularly from photos. Some charge for a site visit on larger projects, occasionally refunded if you go ahead. Ask before they attend so there is no surprise.
Why is a quote higher in London?
Overheads, parking, congestion and demand all push rates up in London and the South East, so expect typically higher figures there than in many other regions.
Is it worth paying for a day rate on a larger job?
It can be, if the work clearly fills the day and the scope is well understood. For small or uncertain jobs, a fixed price for a defined scope is often easier to budget for.