Best electricians near me: how to choose one in 2026 (UK)
Electrical work is the one trade where getting it wrong can be genuinely dangerous — and where the paperwork has legal force. Certain domestic jobs are notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, and an unregistered electrician cannot self-certify them. This guide explains what to check, what electricians charge in 2026, and how to compare quotes without ending up with work you cannot prove is compliant.
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Why there is no honest “best electricians” ranking
Ranked lists of local electricians are almost always paid placements or thin aggregations of a few reviews. We do not publish one, because we cannot verify the workmanship of every electrician in every postcode — and neither can anyone else who claims to.
What we can give you is the filter the industry itself uses: competent person scheme registration, the right certificate for the job, insurance, and a quote that is specific enough to hold someone to.
Part P: the bit most homeowners have never heard of
Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in dwellings in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent regimes). Certain work is notifiable, meaning building control must be informed. There are two ways that happens:
- A registered electrician self-certifies through their competent person scheme — quick, and included in the price
- You notify building control yourself before the work starts and pay for an inspection — slower and usually more expensive
Notifiable work typically includes a new consumer unit, new circuits, and work in special locations such as bathrooms. Straightforward like-for-like replacements — swapping a socket face or a light fitting — generally are not.
This bites when you sell
A conveyancing solicitor will ask for certificates for recent electrical work. If you cannot produce one, you may face a retention, an indemnity policy, or a demand to have the work inspected and remedied. Using a registered electrician costs nothing extra at the time and avoids that entirely.
The registrations that matter
| Scheme | What it means | How much weight to give it |
|---|---|---|
| NICEIC | The largest UK electrical competent person scheme; members are assessed regularly | Very strong — the default to look for |
| NAPIT | Equally valid competent person scheme with the same self-certification powers | Equivalent to NICEIC; no reason to prefer one |
| ELECSA | Long-established scheme, now part of the same group as NICEIC | Equivalent for self-certification purposes |
| TrustMark | Government-endorsed quality mark covering trading standards as well as workmanship | Useful supporting signal, not a substitute |
| 18th Edition qualification | Current wiring regulations training (BS 7671) | Ask for it — regulations change and competence should be current |
| Public liability insurance | Cover if something goes wrong on your property | Ask for the certificate, not just a claim |
Every scheme runs a public register. Search the business name or postcode on the scheme's own website — not a link the electrician sends you.
What electricians charge in 2026
| Basis | Regional UK | London & South East |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £45 – £70 | £65 – £100 |
| Day rate | £250 – £400 | £350 – £550 |
| Callout / minimum charge | £60 – £120 | £90 – £170 |
| EICR (electrical safety report) | £150 – £300 | £220 – £400 |
For a full breakdown by job type, see our 2026 electrician rates guide or the UK electrician cost page.
How to compare electrician quotes properly
- Confirm certification is included in the price, not billed separately afterwards
- Check whether making good is included — chasing walls for new circuits leaves plaster to repair
- Ask what fittings are allowed for. A rewire quote assuming basic white sockets will change if you want brushed steel
- Establish the testing scope. Is a full EICR included, or only certification of the new work?
- Confirm VAT and whether it is a fixed quote or an estimate
- Get three, all pricing an identical written scope
Questions to ask before you book
About competence
Which scheme are you registered with, and what is your registration number? Are you qualified to the current wiring regulations? Will you be doing the work personally or sending someone else?
About the job
Is any of this notifiable under Part P? What certificate will I receive and when? Is making good included? How long will the power be off? What guarantee applies to the workmanship?
Red flags
- Cannot or will not give a registration number. This is disqualifying, not a quirk
- Says a certificate “is not really needed” for notifiable work
- Cash only, no invoice — you will have nothing to show a buyer or an insurer
- Wants a large payment before starting on a job with modest materials
- Dismisses your questions about testing or insurance
- Priced far below the rest — usually certification, testing or making good has been left out
When you need an EICR rather than a repair
An Electrical Installation Condition Report is a full inspection of an existing installation, graded C1 (danger present), C2 (potentially dangerous) or C3 (improvement recommended). It is a legal requirement for landlords in England on a five-yearly cycle, and it is worth commissioning if you are buying an older property, have unexplained tripping, or the installation has not been checked in a decade. It is a diagnostic, not a repair — budget separately for anything it flags.
FAQs: finding a good electrician in the UK (2026)
How do I check an electrician is registered?
Ask for their scheme and registration number, then search for it on the NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA public register directly. Do not rely on a logo on a website or van, and do not use a link the electrician provides.
What is Part P and does my job need it?
Part P of the Building Regulations covers electrical safety in homes in England and Wales. Work such as installing a new consumer unit, adding new circuits or wiring in a bathroom is notifiable and needs certification. A registered electrician can self-certify it; an unregistered one cannot, leaving you to notify building control yourself.
How much does an electrician charge in the UK in 2026?
Around 45 to 70 pounds per hour regionally and 65 to 100 pounds per hour in London and the South East. Day rates are commonly 250 to 400 pounds regionally, and an EICR typically costs 150 to 300 pounds.
Do I get a certificate after electrical work?
You should. Notifiable work should come with a Building Regulations compliance certificate, and the installation work itself with an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate. Keep them, as your buyer's solicitor will ask for them.
Is a cheaper unregistered electrician ever worth it?
Not for notifiable work. Without scheme registration the electrician cannot self-certify, so you must notify building control and pay for inspection yourself, which usually wipes out the saving and can cause problems when you sell.
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