How much do electricians charge?

The average hourly rate of an electrician in the UK is around £40.

This varies depending on where in the UK you live, with the south-east and London being more expensive. It also varies depending on the electrician’s level of experience, their reputation and whether they are self-employed or part of a business.

But an hourly rate is just one of three potential ways you can pay for an electrician’s services.

An electrician can also charge a daily rate or a fixed fee – it comes down to the job.

For large-scale jobs that span a week or more, an electrician will normally charge a fixed rate. On the other hand, smaller jobs that require less time will normally be charged by the day or hour.

The average daily rate of an electrician is between £200 and £250; but again, this varies by location, experience and employment status.

Electrician charges for common electrical issues

The following table is a list of the routine jobs undertaken by electricians and their average prices, excluding VAT. We’ve done our best to arrive at the most accurate price for each. However, the figures will be subject to the factors we mentioned above – like your location. If you live in London or the south-east, expect the price to differ by around 20%.

Electrician call-out fee

The average call-out fee for an electrician is double the electrician’s hourly rate, e.g. £80.

It is common for a call-out fee to cover the first hour of labour, after which the electrician’s cost reverts to their standard rate. However, the cost and remit of a call-out are at an electrician’s discretion so always ask for clarification.

Most electricians require a call-out fee to cover the cost of their travel, as well as the time to inspect the problem. A call-out fee is not necessarily the same as a minimum charge, which is the minimum amount an electrician charges per job. Make sure to ask the electrician about both.

Emergency call-out fee

An emergency call-out can cost anywhere from two to four times the amount of an electrician’s hourly rate.

For example, if an electrician charges £40 per hour, their emergency call-out fee will be between £80 and £160.

However, like a call-out fee, an emergency call-out is entirely at the discretion of the individual and many will charge a high premium to reflect the inconvenience.

A couple of final things to note.

1. As well as covering the cost of the job, an electrician’s rate has to cover the cost of the trade and the cost of living. When deciding on their fee, electricians have to account for their overheads, insurance policy, scheme membership, sick and holiday pay and so on.
2. While many electricians do have an hourly/daily rate, the actual cost is largely determined by the work itself; i.e. the complexity of the job, the necessary materials, the duration of the work and the age and condition of the property.

So just be mindful that the numbers can fluctuate and use the average rate as an indication rather than a hard number.

Something else that impacts how much an electrician charges is the trade itself. Electrical work is complex and has the potential to be very dangerous.

There are jobs you can do yourself. But similarly, there are jobs you simply can’t. So included in an electrician’s rate are years of training, specialist knowledge and practical expertise.

On that note, when hiring an electrician, there are certain things you need to look out for regarding qualifications.

Choosing an electrician

When you are choosing an electrician, there are three things you should ask to see.

1. Proof of qualifications: Electricians need to have an industry-recognised Level 3 NVQ qualification or have completed an apprenticeship over 4 years. They also need to have completed:

• 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations
• C&G 2391-52 Level 3

2. Proof of Part P Registration: All but minor electrical work in a domestic setting must be designed and installed in line with Building Regulations. Under Part P of the Building Regulations, property owners in England and Wales are legally required to comply with health and safety standards and obtain:

• An Electrical Installation Certificate or Minor Work Certificate to confirm that the work meets the IET Wiring Regulations
• A Building Regulations Compliance Certificate to confirm the work meets the necessary regulations

The same rules apply to Scotland and are covered under the building standards.

The benefit of hiring a Part P-registered Electrician is that they can self-certify that their work complies with the regulations and provide you with the documents you need. What’s more, as members of a government-approved scheme, the quality of their work is routinely checked for ongoing compliance.

Failure to comply with the regulations is a legal offence and your local authority may force you to remove or alter any non-compliant work.

For more information on Part P, read this guidance from Electrical Safety First.

3. Membership of a Competent Person Scheme: Competent Person Schemes regularly assess the work of an electrician to demonstrate their ongoing competence, as well as confirm that the work has been designed, inspected and tested in line with building regulations and standards. A member of such a scheme can self-certify their work and issue the necessary certificates of compliance.

The following are the main schemes for electricians:

• British Standards Institute (BSI)
• Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA)
• ELECSA
• National Association of Professional Inspectors and Traders (NAPIT)
• National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
• Stroma
• Trustmark

As well as asking for proof, we recommend using the Electrical Competent Person website to check if an electrician is registered.

So that’s what to check regarding qualifications.

You now know how much an electrician charges, the average cost of common electrical jobs and what qualifications an electrician needs.

To get quotes from electricians near you – post a job now.