How much do electricians charge in 2026 (UK)?
Most UK electricians charge £45–£70 per hour or £250–£400 per day in 2026, rising to £65–£100 per hour in London and the South East. Bigger jobs are usually priced as a fixed sum rather than by the hour. Below are the real 2026 numbers for hourly work, common fixed-price jobs, testing and certification — and the extras that are almost never included in the headline rate.
- Hourly: £45–£70 regional, £65–£100 London
- Day rate: £250–£400 regional, £350–£550 London
- Making good is usually extra — ask before you compare
Get 3 Free Electrician Quotes
National averages only get you so far. Get a fixed price on your actual job from registered local electricians.
- ✓ Fixed prices, not estimates
- ✓ Certification included
- ✓ Free, no-obligation quotes
Electrician rates in 2026: hourly, daily and callout
| Charge type | Regional UK | London & South East | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard hourly rate | £45 – £70 | £65 – £100 | Weekday, working hours |
| Half day (approx. 4 hours) | £150 – £240 | £210 – £330 | Common minimum booking for small jobs |
| Full day (approx. 8 hours) | £250 – £400 | £350 – £550 | Better value beyond half a day |
| Callout / minimum charge | £60 – £120 | £90 – £170 | Often includes the first hour |
| Evening & weekend | £75 – £120 per hour | £100 – £170 per hour | Roughly 1.5× standard |
| Emergency / overnight | £100 – £200 first hour | £140 – £280 first hour | Then premium hourly |
| Apprentice or mate (second pair of hands) | £20 – £35 per hour | £30 – £45 per hour | Charged on top for two-person jobs |
Most real electrical work is not billed hourly
Beyond a simple repair, electricians price by the job — per socket, per circuit, per property for a rewire. The hourly rate is mainly useful as a sanity check on whether a fixed price is reasonable for the time involved.
Fixed prices for common electrical jobs (2026)
Typical all-in prices including standard materials and certification, for an average three-bedroom UK home. London and the South East sit at the top of each range or above it.
| Job | Typical 2026 cost | Time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Replace a socket or switch (like for like) | £60 – £120 | Under 1 hour |
| Add a new double socket | £120 – £250 | 1 – 3 hours |
| Fit a light fitting | £70 – £150 | Under 1 hour |
| Install downlights (per room) | £300 – £700 | Half to full day |
| Replace a consumer unit / fuse board | £550 – £1,100 | Half to full day |
| EICR (electrical safety report) | £150 – £300 | 2 – 4 hours |
| Install an electric shower | £350 – £700 | Half to full day |
| Install an EV charge point | £800 – £1,500 | Half day |
| Add an outdoor socket or garden lighting circuit | £200 – £600 | Half to full day |
| Full rewire, 2-bed house | £3,500 – £6,000 | 5 – 8 days |
| Full rewire, 3-bed house | £4,500 – £8,000 | 7 – 12 days |
| Full rewire, 4-bed house | £6,000 – £11,000 | 10 – 15 days |
Rewire prices assume standard white accessories and exclude redecoration. Our UK electrician cost page goes deeper on rewires specifically.
What is not in the price
| Item | Usually included? | Typical extra |
|---|---|---|
| Certification of the work | Usually, with registered electricians | £0 – £150 if billed separately |
| Making good after chasing walls | No | Plasterer at £180–£300 per day |
| Redecoration after a rewire | No | Separate trade entirely |
| Premium accessories (brushed steel, smart switches) | No | £10 – £60 per point |
| Parking and congestion charges | No, in cities | Passed on at cost |
| Waste removal (old cable, old boards) | Sometimes | £30 – £120 |
| VAT | Only if VAT-registered | 20% on the invoice |
Making good is the biggest hidden cost on a rewire
New circuits mean chasing channels into plaster. Electricians normally leave the chases filled but unfinished, not sanded and painted. On a full rewire, budget separately for plastering and redecoration — it is frequently a four-figure sum that people did not see coming.
Regional variation
London and the South East run roughly 30–45% above the North of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Bristol, Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh and the Home Counties sit in between. Rural areas can look cheap on the hourly rate but add travel charges and have less competition, so always ask whether travel is included and within what radius.
How to get a fair price
- Ask for a fixed price for anything with a defined scope
- Batch small jobs into one visit so you pay the minimum charge once
- Book in normal hours unless it is genuinely an emergency
- Choose your accessories yourself and confirm the allowance in the quote
- Time a rewire before you redecorate, never after
- Compare three quotes on an identical scope — see how to choose an electrician
FAQs: electrician costs in the UK (2026)
How much do electricians charge per hour in 2026?
Around 45 to 70 pounds per hour across most of the UK and 65 to 100 pounds per hour in London and the South East. Evening and weekend rates are typically about 1.5 times standard, and emergency callouts often start at 100 to 280 pounds for the first hour.
How much does a full rewire cost in 2026?
Roughly 3,500 to 6,000 pounds for a two-bedroom house, 4,500 to 8,000 pounds for a three-bedroom and 6,000 to 11,000 pounds for a four-bedroom, assuming standard accessories. Plastering and redecoration afterwards are additional and can add a significant amount.
How much does an EICR cost?
Typically 150 to 300 pounds for a standard domestic property, rising to 220 to 400 pounds in London and for larger homes with more circuits. The report identifies faults; any remedial work it recommends is quoted and charged separately.
How much is it to replace a consumer unit?
Usually 550 to 1,100 pounds including the unit, labour and certification, depending on the number of circuits and whether existing wiring passes testing. If testing uncovers faults, those repairs are extra.
Do electricians charge a callout fee?
Most apply a callout or minimum charge of roughly 60 to 120 pounds regionally and 90 to 170 pounds in London, which commonly covers the first hour on site. Ask whether the fee includes any work or is purely for attendance.
Get a fixed price for your electrical job
Rates give you the market; a written quote gives you the price. Compare three from registered local electricians, free.