A flickering light, a faulty socket, or plans for a major home renovation lead us to the same question. What does it cost to hire an electrician in the UK?
Typically, the cost differs based on the type of work you need. So, understanding what you are likely going to pay is key to budgeting accurately and making informed decisions. All you need is a bit of upfront research that saves you money while ensuring your home receives safe, high-quality electrical work.
Choosing the right professional greatly improves the result, and finding one is easier today. With online marketplaces on the rise, homeowners can now seamlessly find local electricians in the UK and get started on the job.
What Is the Average Cost of Hiring an Electrician in the UK?
The average cost for an electrician is anywhere between £45 and £65 per hour for standard residential electrical work in the UK. The average is close to £50 per hour. However, the costs vary based on location, experience, and job complexity.
For larger projects, most electricians charge a day rate instead of an hourly fee. Generally, day rates range from:
- £300 to £450 per day for domestic work
- £350 to £600 per day for more specialised or commercial jobs
- £400 or more in London and the South East
These figures typically cover labour only. This implies that materials and additional certification fees might be charged separately.
Electrician Hourly Rates Across the UK
Your location also directly influences the cost to hire an electrician. For instance, if you hire an electrician in Leicester, you might receive a different quote from someone seeking the same service across Central London, the Scottish Highlands, or rural Wales.
Let’s break down typical hourly rates region-wise.
| Region | Hourly Rate | Notes |
| Central London | £55–£90+ | Expensive in this area due to demand and overhead premium |
| Greater London / Home Counties | £45–£65 | Projecting the real market conditions of London |
| South East England | £40–£60 | Higher due to closeness to the London area |
| South West England | £25–£45 | Competitive due to the travel costs in the rural areas |
| Midlands | £35–£50 | Moderate. High demand due to infrastructure projects |
| North West / North East | £35–£50 | Competitive. Better due to investment uplift |
| Wales | £25–£40 | Rural areas impacting travel surcharges |
| Scotland (Central Belt) | £42–£58 | Possible match for Glasgow & Edinburgh with Northern England |
| Rural Scotland | £20–£35 | Travel time for experts adds to the overall cost |
| Northern Ireland | £30–£42 | Slightly below the UK average by 10 to 15% |
Higher call-out fees in rural areas across Wales, Scotland, and the South West are due to longer travel distances. If you use an online platform to find trusted tradespeople in the UK, always confirm whether travel time is included in the quote or charged separately.
Average Costs for Common Electrical Jobs
The total cost for electrical work in the UK mainly relies on the project type. Here’s a glance at the average costs homeowners can expect:
| Electrical Job Type | Typical Cost Range | What’s Included |
| Socket replacement | £75 to £120 | Labour fees and standard components at existing market rates. |
| New socket installation | £120 to £250 | This covers all labour, cabling, and finishing work. |
| Light fitting installation | £50 to £150 each | Just labour pricing. Costs for extra height and complexity. |
| Consumer unit upgrade | £780 to £1,000 | Installation of new unit, labour, certification, and RCD protection. |
| EICR inspection | £780 to £1,000 | Testing of the full circuit, report, and full compliance. |
| Partial house rewire | £2,000 to £4,000 | Operations of autonomous circuits. The overall price is also affected by project scope and access. |
| Full rewire (1-bed flat) | £2,000 to £4,000 | Includes replacement of complete circuits, sockets, and consumer units. |
| Full rewire (4-bed house) | £5,000 to £10,000 | Full project scope and per-bedroom prices. |
| EV charger installation | £950 to £1,400 | Government grant to be applied for; 7kW charger installed. |
| Outdoor electrical work | £200 to £600 plus | It depends on the scope and completion certification of the project. |
These figures include labour while some might include materials. Price difference is based on the property’s age and installation complexity.
Call-Out Charges and Emergency Electrician Costs
Most homeowners are surprised by the project midway. They learn that electricians charge a minimum call-out fee mainly for small jobs.
Typical call-out fees included are:
- £50–£100 for regular appointments
- £65–£120 minimum charge, irrespective of job timeline and scope
- £80–£100 per hour for emergency call-outs
- £150–£300 for urgent out-of-hours visits
Services on weekends, evenings, and bank holidays typically come at a premium price.
Furthermore, a clear idea of an electrician’s pricing also indicates when to act. There are several electrical warning signs homeowners miss in everyday life. The signs include:
- Flickering lights
- Warm plug sockets
- Frequent circuit trips
Therefore, getting them professionally inspected sooner is cheaper than waiting for an emergency call-out.
What Affects Your Electrician's Quote
The estimates that an electrician shares are based on different factors. A clear idea about these can help you plan your budget effectively and feel confident when comparing prices.
How Experienced They Are
The costs are often on the higher side, considering the electrician’s experience. Cost is determined by the professional’s qualifications, lower risk of errors, and efficient job completion. This helps in saving you time and money over the long term. Therefore, when you compare tradespeople, experience should be one of the first questions to ask an electrician. This directly influences the quality of work and the quoted price.
What Determines the Rate
- Years of hands-on experience in trade
- Specialisation in a domestic job
- Advanced qualifications
- Status of inspection certification
Quick Tip: Ask how long they have been in this trade, and also check their registration status before confirming a booking.
Emergency or Planned Work
Booking an electrician for urgent work or outside standard weekday hours costs considerably more. Planning and scheduling during normal work hours is the easiest way to reduce your bill.
Common Cost Drivers
- Emergency same-day call-outs
- Out-of-hours surcharges
- Weekend and bank holiday rates
- Booking discounts
Quick Tip: Be sure to book a couple of days in advance to bring costs back to the standard rate rather than an emergency premium.
Size of the Job
Complex or larger projects involving more materials, greater labour time, or longer cable runs will typically cost more. Having your project scope agreed before work starts can help avoid surprises when the final invoices arrive.
Project Scope Considerations
- Number of circuits involved
- Length of cable runs needed
- Volume of fittings and parts
- Labour hours required
Quick Tip: Make sure to discuss with your electrician, asking them to break the quote into labour and materials separately. This can help you see exactly where the money is going.
Your Property Type
Working on older homes and properties with solid floors or limited loft access is time-consuming. The additional time means extra labour hours that show up in the final cost.
Property-Related Factors
- Age of the property
- Floor type and access
- Number of storeys
- Existing wiring condition
Quick Tip: Share your complete property details when requesting a quote. Therefore, the price you receive reflects the real scope of work.
Number of Quotes You Get
The number of quotes you receive impacts what you end up paying. Homeowners who compare multiple quotes secure better value than those who accept the first quote they receive.
What to Compare
- Price variation between tradespeople
- Scope differences to spot
- Leverage for negotiation
- Basis for like-for-like comparison
Pro Tip: Ensure you collect three written estimates before committing to have a clear benchmark for fair pricing.
Let's Make Your Next Electrical Project Simple
Locating a reliable electrician shouldn’t be a complication. With the right platform, you can immediately connect with reliable professionals, compare quotes, and choose the best fit for your project, all in one place.
At BuilderWing, we help homeowners across the UK find experienced local tradespeople for jobs of all sizes, from minor electrical repairs to complete home renovations. It is the easiest and most convenient way to hire with confidence and save valuable time.
Ready to get started? Post your project today and receive quotes from trusted electricians near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the average hourly rate for an electrician in the UK?
Most electricians will typically charge between £45 and £65 per hour. However, rates vary by region and job complexity.
What other tradespeople can I hire besides an electrician?
Homeowners can use our platform to hire plumbers, roofers, carpenters, painters, builders, locksmiths, landscapers, central heating engineers, and many other skilled professionals.
Is it cheaper to hire an electrician on a day rate?
Day rates are often cheaper for larger projects with fixed days and offer better overall value.
