Electrical work is one of those things where guessing the cost can leave you seriously out of pocket. Whether you need a few extra sockets, a full rewire, or an emergency call out on a Sunday evening, knowing what electricians actually charge helps you spot a fair quote from an inflated one.
This guide covers real electrician costs across the UK in 2026, including hourly rates, day rates, common job prices, and the factors that push the bill up or down.
Electricians in the UK charge £45 to £60 per hour on average, with day rates of £300 to £400. Call out fees run £80 to £150. London rates are significantly higher, with hourly rates reaching £70 to £100.
Electrician Rates at a Glance
| Rate Type | UK Average | London |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | £45 to £60 | £70 to £100 |
| Day rate | £300 to £400 | £400 to £550 |
| Call out fee | £80 to £150 | £100 to £200 |
| Emergency call out (evenings/weekends) | £100 to £200 | £150 to £300 |
Most electricians quote per job rather than per hour, especially for standard work like fitting sockets or light switches. The hourly rate becomes more relevant for diagnostic work or jobs where the scope is uncertain.
Regional Price Variations
Electrician rates vary considerably across the UK. London commands the highest prices, with rates 30% to 50% above the national average. The North of England, Wales, and Scotland offer the most competitive rates.
| Region | Hourly Rate | Day Rate | Full Rewire (3 bed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £70 to £100 | £400 to £550 | £5,000 to £7,500 |
| South East | £55 to £80 | £350 to £480 | £4,000 to £6,500 |
| Midlands | £45 to £65 | £300 to £400 | £3,500 to £5,500 |
| North of England | £40 to £55 | £250 to £350 | £3,000 to £5,000 |
| Scotland | £40 to £60 | £280 to £380 | £3,200 to £5,200 |
| Wales | £35 to £55 | £250 to £350 | £3,000 to £4,800 |
The gap between London and the rest of the country is most pronounced on larger projects. A full rewire in London can cost £2,000 to £3,000 more than the same job in Leeds or Cardiff. Materials cost roughly the same everywhere, so the difference is almost entirely labour.
Common Electrical Job Costs
| Job | Typical Cost (inc. materials) |
|---|---|
| Install a single socket | £80 to £150 |
| Install a double socket | £100 to £180 |
| Move a socket or switch | £100 to £200 |
| Install a light fitting | £50 to £100 |
| Install downlights (per light) | £40 to £80 |
| Install outdoor lighting | £150 to £400 |
| New consumer unit (fuse box) | £350 to £600 |
| Electrical safety certificate (EICR) | £150 to £300 |
| Install an electric shower | £250 to £500 |
| Install an EV charger | £800 to £1,200 |
| Full house rewire (3 bed semi) | £3,500 to £5,500 |
| Partial rewire (per room) | £500 to £1,000 |
Full Rewire Costs in Detail
A full house rewire is the biggest electrical job most homeowners will face. The cost depends mainly on the size of the property and how easy it is to access the existing wiring.
| Property Size | Typical Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bed flat | £2,500 to £3,500 | 2 to 3 days |
| 2 bed terraced house | £3,000 to £4,500 | 3 to 5 days |
| 3 bed semi detached | £3,500 to £5,500 | 5 to 7 days |
| 4 bed detached | £5,000 to £8,000 | 7 to 10 days |
| 5+ bed large detached | £7,000 to £12,000+ | 10 to 14 days |
A full rewire is disruptive. Walls need to be chased out to run new cables, floorboards lifted, and everything made good afterwards. The plastering and decorating that follows is usually an extra cost on top. Budget an additional £1,000 to £3,000 for making good after a full rewire.
Budget vs Mid Range vs Premium Electrical Work
| Feature | Budget | Mid Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Socket / switch finish | White plastic | Brushed chrome or nickel | Brass, glass, or designer |
| Lighting | Standard pendants | LED downlights throughout | Smart lighting, dimming circuits, architectural |
| Consumer unit | £350 to £450 | £450 to £600 | £600 to £900 (dual RCD, surge protection) |
| Rewire finish | Cables surface clipped | Chased into walls, plastered | Fully concealed, decorative finish |
| Smart home | None | Smart thermostat | Full smart home wiring |
| EV charging | Basic 7kW charger | 7kW with app control | 22kW with load balancing |
What Affects Electrician Costs
- Location. London and the South East are significantly more expensive than the Midlands, North, and Wales. The difference can be 30% to 50%.
- Time of call. Emergency and out of hours work (evenings, weekends, bank holidays) costs 50% to 100% more than daytime rates.
- Material costs. Copper and PVC prices have risen 20% to 30% since 2024, which has pushed up wiring costs in particular.
- Access. Easy access to wiring routes means faster work. Solid walls, concrete floors, or loft spaces with no boarding all add time and cost.
- Certification. Any notifiable work (new circuits, consumer unit changes, bathroom electrics) requires Part P certification, which adds £100 to £250 to the bill.
- Property age. Older properties with lath and plaster walls, lead pipes, and asbestos materials take longer and cost more to rewire safely. Victorian and Edwardian homes often require additional prep work.
- Number of circuits. A modern home typically has separate circuits for lighting, sockets, cooker, shower, and outdoor supplies. More circuits means more cable, more time, and a larger consumer unit.
EV Charger Installation in Detail
Electric vehicle charger installation is one of the fastest growing areas of residential electrical work. A standard 7kW home charger costs £300 to £800 for the unit itself, with installation adding £300 to £500. The total cost of £800 to £1,200 includes the charger, a dedicated 32A circuit from your consumer unit, and any necessary outdoor cabling.
If your consumer unit does not have a spare way for the new circuit, it may need upgrading first, adding £350 to £600 to the project. Some installations require trenching for cables to run from the house to a detached garage or a specific parking position, which adds £150 to £400 depending on the distance.
The OZEV grant (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) previously contributed up to £350 towards home charger installation, but this scheme is now limited to renters and flat owners. Homeowners of single unit properties no longer qualify for the grant.
Do You Need a Qualified Electrician?
In England and Wales, certain electrical work must be carried out by a Part P registered electrician or inspected by building control after completion. This includes installing new circuits, work in bathrooms and kitchens (near sinks), consumer unit replacements, and outdoor wiring.
Simple jobs like changing a light switch or replacing a socket face plate can be done yourself, but anything involving new wiring or alterations to circuits should be done by a qualified professional. Look for electricians registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA. These registration bodies ensure the electrician is competent, insured, and carries out their work to British Standard BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations).
How to Find a Good Electrician
- Get three quotes. Always compare at least three written quotes for any job over £200.
- Check registration. Use the Electrical Competent Person Register to verify they are Part P registered.
- Ask about certification. For notifiable work, confirm they will issue the correct certificates and notify building control.
- Read reviews. Checkatrade, MyBuilder, and Google reviews give a good picture of reliability and quality.
- Get a written quote, not an estimate. A quote is a fixed price. An estimate can change.
How to Save Money
- Batch your jobs. If you need several things done, get them all done in one visit. Call out fees only apply once, and electricians are often more flexible on price for larger jobs.
- Be flexible on timing. Quiet periods (January, February) often mean lower rates.
- Prepare the area. Clear furniture and ensure easy access to where the work needs to happen. Time wasted moving your stuff is time you are paying for.
- Buy your own materials. Some electricians add a mark up on materials. Ask if you can supply your own sockets, switches, and light fittings to save 10% to 20%.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Not Part P registered. If they cannot provide a registration number with NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA, they should not be doing notifiable work. Check their registration online before they start.
- No written quote. A verbal estimate is worthless. A written quote with a clear scope of work protects you from unexpected charges.
- Refusing to issue certificates. Notifiable work requires a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. If the electrician says they will not or cannot provide one, they are either unregistered or cutting corners.
- Significantly below market rate. If a full rewire quote comes in at half the price of the other two quotes, there is a reason. They may be planning to cut corners, use substandard materials, or skip the certification process.
- No insurance. Electricians should carry public liability insurance. If their work causes a fire or damages your property, insurance covers the cost. No insurance means the risk falls on you.
- Wanting full payment upfront. A deposit of 20% to 30% for materials is reasonable for large jobs. Full payment before the work is complete is a warning sign.
An electrician in the UK costs £45 to £60 per hour on average, with most small jobs coming in at £80 to £200. A full rewire for a 3 bed house runs £3,500 to £5,500. Always use a Part P registered electrician for notifiable work, get written quotes, and batch your jobs to save on call out fees. Also see our guide on new kitchen costs, which includes a breakdown of kitchen electrical work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an electrician charge per hour in the UK?
Electricians in the UK charge £45 to £60 per hour on average in 2026. Day rates are £300 to £400. London rates are higher at £70 to £100 per hour. Emergency and out of hours call outs cost 50% to 100% more than standard daytime rates.
How much does a full house rewire cost in the UK?
A full house rewire costs £2,500 to £3,500 for a 1 bed flat, £3,500 to £5,500 for a 3 bed semi detached, and £5,000 to £8,000 for a 4 bed detached house. Budget an additional £1,000 to £3,000 for plastering and decorating afterwards.
How much does it cost to install an EV charger in the UK?
Installing an EV charger in the UK costs £800 to £1,200 including the unit and installation by a qualified electrician. The charger unit itself costs £300 to £800 and installation labour adds £300 to £500.
How much does a new fuse box cost in the UK?
A new consumer unit (fuse box) costs £350 to £600 in the UK including supply and installation. This is classed as notifiable work requiring Part P certification, which adds £100 to £250 to the total cost.
How much does it cost to add a socket in the UK?
Installing a single socket costs £80 to £150 and a double socket costs £100 to £180 in the UK, including materials. Moving a socket or switch costs £100 to £200. Installing downlights costs £40 to £80 per light.
Do I need a qualified electrician or can I do it myself?
Simple jobs like changing a light switch or replacing a socket face plate can be done yourself. Any notifiable work including new circuits, consumer unit replacements, bathroom electrics, and outdoor wiring must be done by a Part P registered electrician or inspected by building control.
How much does an EICR cost in the UK?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report costs £150 to £300 for a typical home. Landlords are legally required to have one every 5 years. The inspection takes 2 to 4 hours and covers all fixed electrical installations.
How long does a full house rewire take?
A full rewire takes 2 to 3 days for a 1 bed flat, 5 to 7 days for a 3 bed semi, and 7 to 14 days for a large detached house. Additional time is needed for plastering and decorating afterwards.