Cost Guide · Updated July 2026
Electrician Cost UK 2026 — Hourly Rates & Job Prices
Most UK electricians charge £40–£60 per hour (£75–£100+ in London), or a day rate of £250–£400. A new consumer unit runs £450–£700, an EICR £150–£300, and a full rewire £3,000–£6,500 depending on house size.
Get 3 Free Electrician Quotes →Quick answer: what does an electrician cost in 2026?
Across most of the UK, a qualified electrician charges £40–£60 an hour or a day rate of £250–£400. Rates climb to £75–£100+ per hour in London and the South East. Expect a one-off call-out fee of £60–£120 for small visits, and an emergency out-of-hours premium of 1.5×–2× the standard rate. Small jobs like fitting a socket cost £80–£150; a consumer unit (fuse board) replacement is £450–£700; a full house rewire ranges £3,000–£6,500. Always use an electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT so notifiable work is self-certified under Part P of the Building Regulations.
Electrician hourly rates and day rates in 2026
Electricians price work in one of three ways: an hourly rate for short jobs, a day rate for larger work, or a fixed quote for a defined project like a rewire or consumer unit change. Understanding all three helps you sanity-check any quote you receive.
The typical UK hourly rate in 2026 is £40–£60. Many electricians set a minimum charge (often one hour, or a call-out fee) because travel, parking and paperwork eat into short visits. A day rate of £250–£400 usually covers around 7–8 working hours and is more economical once a job runs beyond three or four hours.
Hourly vs day rate — which is cheaper?
For anything under about three hours, an hourly rate is normally the cheaper option. Beyond that, a day rate almost always wins — a job billed at £55/hour for six hours (£330) can often be done on a £300 day rate instead. If you have several small jobs, bundle them into one visit so you only pay one call-out and can negotiate a half-day or full-day price.
| Pricing basis | Typical UK | London & South East | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £40–£60 | £75–£100+ | Small jobs under 3 hours |
| Half-day (approx 4 hrs) | £150–£220 | £250–£350 | Medium jobs, multiple sockets |
| Day rate (7–8 hrs) | £250–£400 | £400–£600 | Rewires, boards, larger jobs |
| Apprentice / mate (added) | £120–£180/day | £180–£260/day | Second pair of hands on big jobs |
| Fixed project quote | Per job | Per job | Defined scope – rewire, EV charger |
Materials are usually charged on top of labour. Some electricians add a small mark-up on parts (10–20% is common) to cover sourcing and warranty; others charge them at cost and bill their time for collection. Ask which approach your electrician uses so the quote is transparent.
Want the numbers for your specific job? Request three free quotes from vetted local electricians and compare like-for-like.
Electrician hourly rates by UK region
Location is the single biggest driver of labour cost. London and the South East command a premium because of higher overheads, congestion and demand, while the North, Wales and much of Scotland sit at the lower end. The table below shows realistic 2026 hourly ranges.
| Region | Hourly rate | Typical day rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (Central & inner) | £75–£100+ | £400–£600 | Congestion charge, parking often extra |
| South East & Home Counties | £55–£75 | £320–£450 | High demand commuter belt |
| South West | £45–£60 | £260–£380 | Rural travel can add cost |
| Midlands (East & West) | £42–£58 | £250–£360 | Broadly national average |
| North West & North East | £40–£55 | £240–£340 | Competitive city markets |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £40–£55 | £240–£340 | Lower end of national scale |
| Wales | £38–£52 | £230–£330 | Rural areas add travel time |
| Scotland | £40–£58 | £240–£360 | Edinburgh & Aberdeen higher |
| Northern Ireland | £35–£50 | £220–£320 | Generally lowest in the UK |
These are labour rates only. A rural job may add a travel charge, and city-centre work can attract parking or congestion fees. Because ranges overlap so much, the reliable way to know your local price is to compare several quotes for the same scope.
Call-out fees and emergency electrician costs
A call-out fee is a fixed charge to cover the cost of turning up — travel, diagnosis and the first portion of labour. In 2026 a standard daytime call-out is typically £60–£120, and it often includes the first 30–60 minutes of work. Some electricians waive the call-out if you go on to book the repair.
Emergency and out-of-hours rates
Faults never wait for office hours. An emergency electrician called out evenings, weekends or bank holidays typically charges £90–£150 per hour, with a higher initial call-out of £100–£200. Expect roughly a 1.5× premium in the evening and up to 2× overnight or on public holidays. Common emergencies include a total power loss, burning smells, a tripping circuit that won’t reset, or exposed live wiring after damage.
| Situation | Call-out | Hourly rate | Typical total (small fault) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard daytime (Mon–Fri) | £60–£120 | £40–£60 | £80–£180 |
| Evening (after 6pm) | £90–£150 | £65–£90 | £150–£280 |
| Weekend | £100–£180 | £75–£110 | £180–£320 |
| Overnight / bank holiday | £120–£200 | £90–£150 | £220–£420 |
Safety first: if you smell burning, see sparks, or a circuit repeatedly trips, switch off at the consumer unit and call a registered electrician. Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips instantly — it is protecting you from a genuine fault. If you suspect a gas or carbon-monoxide issue alongside electrical trouble, follow the relevant emergency guidance immediately.
Common electrician job prices in 2026
Below are realistic all-in prices (labour plus typical materials) for the jobs householders ask about most. Where a job is “notifiable” under Part P, the price should include certification and Building Control notification via the electrician’s competent person scheme.
| Job | Typical UK cost | London | Time on site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit or replace a single socket | £80–£150 | £120–£220 | 1 hour |
| Add a new socket (spur) | £100–£180 | £160–£280 | 1–2 hours |
| Install outdoor / weatherproof socket | £120–£220 | £180–£320 | 2–3 hours |
| Replace a light switch / dimmer | £60–£110 | £90–£160 | Under 1 hour |
| Fit ceiling light / pendant | £80–£150 | £120–£220 | 1 hour |
| Install LED downlights (per light) | £60–£100 | £90–£140 | 4–6 for a room |
| Downlights — full room (6–8) | £450–£800 | £650–£1,100 | Half to full day |
| Replace consumer unit / fuse board | £450–£700 | £650–£1,000 | Half to full day |
| EICR (electrical safety report) | £150–£300 | £250–£450 | 2–4 hours |
| Install EV charger (home) | £800–£1,200 | £1,000–£1,600 | Half day |
| Fit electric shower | £250–£500 | £400–£700 | Half day |
| Wire electric cooker / oven point | £120–£250 | £200–£380 | 2–3 hours |
| Install smoke / heat alarm (mains) | £80–£150 each | £120–£220 | 1 hour each |
| Upgrade to smart thermostat wiring | £120–£250 | £180–£350 | 1–2 hours |
| Fault finding / diagnosis | £80–£180 | £140–£280 | 1–3 hours |
Consumer unit (fuse board) replacement in detail
Replacing an old fuse board with a modern consumer unit fitted with RCBOs or RCDs is one of the most common upgrades, especially in homes with an old rewireable or plastic board. The £450–£700 range covers the unit, labour and the required testing and certification. Costs rise if the incoming supply needs attention, if existing circuits fail testing and must be repaired first, or if the meter tails and earthing need upgrading to current standards. A metal (steel) consumer unit is now standard for domestic installations under the wiring regulations.
EV charger installation
A home EV charge point typically costs £800–£1,200 installed, depending on cable run, whether groundworks are needed and the charger model. Note that the previous UK grant for standard homeowners has closed; targeted support still exists for some renters, flat owners and those installing with off-street parking under specific schemes, so check current eligibility rather than assuming a grant applies. See our related guide on central heating installation costs if you’re planning wider home upgrades at the same time.
Full house rewire cost by property size
A full rewire replaces all the cabling, back boxes, sockets, switches, the consumer unit and often the earthing and bonding. It’s major, disruptive work — floors lift, walls get chased, and rooms are out of use — but it’s essential for homes with cloth or rubber-insulated wiring, recurring faults, or no earth on lighting circuits. Expect a rewire to take 5–10 working days depending on size and whether the property is occupied.
| Property size | Typical UK cost | London | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | £2,300–£3,500 | £3,200–£4,800 | 3–5 days |
| 2-bed house | £3,000–£4,500 | £4,200–£6,000 | 4–6 days |
| 3-bed house | £4,000–£5,500 | £5,500–£7,500 | 5–8 days |
| 4-bed house | £5,000–£6,500 | £6,800–£9,000 | 7–10 days |
| 5-bed / large house | £6,500–£9,000+ | £9,000–£13,000+ | 10–15 days |
Prices assume a standard specification. They rise for period properties with lath-and-plaster walls, solid floors that are hard to route cable through, high-spec finishes, extra circuits (garden, garage, home office), or if you want the electrician to make good plaster and decoration afterwards. Many rewire quotes are for “first and second fix” only, leaving plastering and decorating to you or a separate trade — always confirm what’s included.
Partial rewire
If only some circuits are failing, a partial rewire — for example the kitchen and bathroom, or just the lighting circuits — can cost £1,000–£3,000 and cause far less disruption. An EICR will tell you whether a full rewire is genuinely needed or whether targeted work will bring the installation up to standard.
EICR, Part P and using a registered electrician
What is an EICR?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a formal inspection of your fixed wiring. A qualified electrician tests the installation and grades any issues: C1 (danger present, immediate action), C2 (potentially dangerous, urgent remedial work), C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation). A report with only C3 items is classed as satisfactory. In England, private landlords must have an EICR carried out at least every five years and provide a copy to tenants — a legal requirement under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector regulations. Homeowners aren’t legally required to have one, but it’s strongly advised every 10 years or when buying a property.
Do I need Part P?
Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in dwellings in England and Wales. Certain work is notifiable — most importantly new circuits and consumer unit replacements, and any electrical work in “special locations” such as bathrooms. Notifiable work must either be done by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (who self-certifies and notifies Building Control for you) or be signed off by your local authority Building Control, which costs more and takes longer. Using a registered electrician is almost always cheaper and simpler.
Why registered (NICEIC / NAPIT) matters
Schemes like NICEIC and NAPIT assess electricians against the wiring regulations (BS 7671) and audit their work. Choosing a scheme member means:
- Notifiable work is self-certified and registered with Building Control — you get the compliance certificate.
- The work is covered by the scheme’s workmanship warranty / complaints process.
- You have proof of compliant electrics for insurance and when you sell your home.
- Cheap unregistered work can cost far more to put right — and may be dangerous or invalidate insurance.
Always ask for the electrician’s scheme registration number and check it on the scheme’s online register before work starts. A genuine professional will be happy to provide it. For related compliance-heavy projects, see our full cost guide index.
How to get a fair electrician quote
Because ranges are wide and jobs vary, the smartest move is to compare a few quotes for the exact same scope. Here’s how to keep the price fair without cutting corners on safety:
- Get three quotes. One quote tells you nothing; three shows you the going rate and flags any outlier.
- Compare like-for-like. Make sure each quote covers the same materials spec, certification, and making-good. The cheapest number often excludes something.
- Confirm scheme registration. Ask for the NICEIC or NAPIT number and check it. Insist on certification for notifiable work.
- Bundle small jobs. Combine sockets, switches and lights into one visit to save on call-out and travel.
- Ask about materials mark-up. Clarify whether parts are at cost or marked up, and who supplies fittings.
- Avoid cash-only, no-paperwork deals. No certificate means no proof of compliant work — a false economy.
- Beware the lowest bid. A quote far below the others usually means missing certification, cheaper materials, or corners cut.
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Start my free quote →Electrician cost FAQs
A full rewire costs roughly £3,000–£6,500 for most homes: about £3,000–£4,500 for a 2-bed, £4,000–£5,500 for a 3-bed and £5,000–£6,500 for a 4-bed. London adds roughly 30–40%. Period properties, high-spec finishes and making-good (plastering and decorating) push the figure higher. Confirm exactly what the quote includes — many cover first and second fix only.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a formal safety inspection of your fixed wiring, costing £150–£300 for a typical home (£250–£450 in London and for larger properties). It grades faults C1, C2, C3 or FI; a report with only C3 items is “satisfactory”. English landlords must have one at least every five years; homeowners are advised to test every 10 years or when buying.
Part P of the Building Regulations applies to electrical work in homes in England and Wales. Some work is notifiable — notably new circuits, consumer unit changes, and any work in bathrooms or other special locations. Notifiable work must be certified either by a competent-person-scheme electrician (NICEIC/NAPIT) who notifies Building Control for you, or signed off directly by your local authority. Minor jobs like replacing a like-for-like socket generally aren’t notifiable, but always use a qualified electrician.
London and the South East carry higher overheads — premises, vehicles, congestion charge, parking and insurance — plus stronger demand. That pushes hourly rates to £75–£100+ versus a £40–£60 national average, and adds 30–40% to most job prices. You can still save by getting several quotes and bundling small jobs into one visit.
A standard daytime call-out is £60–£120 and often includes the first 30–60 minutes. Out-of-hours emergencies run £90–£150 per hour with a higher call-out, typically a 1.5× evening premium and up to 2× overnight or on bank holidays. If you smell burning or a breaker trips instantly and won’t reset, switch off at the consumer unit and call a registered electrician.
A modern metal consumer unit with RCBO/RCD protection costs £450–£700 installed (£650–£1,000 in London), including testing and certification. It usually takes half a day to a full day. Costs rise if existing circuits fail testing and need repair first, or if earthing, bonding or meter tails must be upgraded to current standards. Consumer unit replacement is notifiable under Part P, so always use a scheme-registered electrician.
Get three quotes for the exact same scope and compare like-for-like on materials, certification and making-good. Always confirm NICEIC or NAPIT registration and insist on a certificate for notifiable work. Be wary of the lowest bid — it often excludes certification or uses cheaper parts. Bundling small jobs into one visit and clarifying materials mark-up also keeps the total fair.
A home EV charge point typically costs £800–£1,200 installed, depending on the charger, cable run and any groundworks. The old universal homeowner grant has closed, but targeted support still exists for some renters and flat owners under specific schemes — check current eligibility rather than assuming a grant applies. Use an installer approved for both the wiring regulations and the charger manufacturer.
Written by the BestBuilders Editorial Team · Reviewed by a qualified NICEIC-registered electrician · Last updated: July 2026.
How we produced this guide: Prices are compiled from quotes gathered through the BestBuilders network and cross-checked against typical 2026 UK market rates. Regulatory points reference Part P of the Building Regulations, BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) and the competent person schemes operated by NICEIC and NAPIT. Figures are indicative ranges — always obtain written quotes for your specific job.
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