Whether you need a new socket, a light fitted or a fault traced, knowing how much an electrician costs in the UK helps you budget and spot a fair quote. Most domestic electricians charge around £40 to £60 per hour outside London, with a typical day rate of £300 to £450, while many small jobs are priced as a fixed fee that includes the first hour, travel and basic materials.
Prices rise for emergency call-outs, evenings and weekends, and in London and the South East. The type of work matters just as much: swapping a light fitting is quick, but adding a new circuit, replacing a fuse box or rewiring a room involves testing, certification and, in England and Wales, notification under building regulations.
This guide explains electrician prices for common jobs, how hourly, day and fixed rates compare, the services electricians typically offer, which jobs are legally notifiable, the certificates you should receive and how to check you are hiring a registered, qualified electrician.
Electrician rates at a glance
Typical prices for common electrical jobs
| Job | Typical cost (outside London) |
|---|---|
| Replace a socket or switch | £50–£120 |
| Add a new socket (surface / chased into wall) | £60–£150 |
| Replace a light fitting | £50–£150 |
| Outdoor socket | £100–£200 |
| Fault finding | £50–£200 |
| Electric shower installation (labour) | £250–£400 |
| Consumer unit (fuse box) replacement | £450–£800 |
| EV charger installation | £800–£1,200 |
| Full rewire (3-bed house) | £3,500–£8,000 |
Prices are typical labour-plus-standard-materials figures; expect to pay more in London and for premium fittings, difficult access or older properties.
Hourly, day rate or fixed price: which is better?
Suits small, uncertain jobs such as fault finding. Ask about the minimum charge and whether travel time is included.
Better value for larger jobs. Group several small tasks into one visit to make the most of a day or half-day booking.
Most common for standard work such as consumer units, EV chargers and rewires. You know the full cost upfront.
What affects the final price?
- Location: London and the South East typically cost 20–40% more.
- Access: chasing cables into plaster, lifting floorboards or working in a loft adds time and making good.
- Age of the wiring: older installations may need upgrades before new work can be connected safely.
- Materials: designer switches, smart lighting and outdoor-rated fittings cost more.
- Testing and certification: new circuits must be tested and certified, which is built into a good quote.
- Timing: evenings, weekends and bank holidays carry higher rates.
Services electricians typically offer
🔌 Installations: sockets, lighting, outdoor power, electric showers, extractor fans and EV chargers.
⚡ Upgrades: consumer unit replacement, rewiring, surge protection and smoke or heat alarm systems.
🔍 Repairs: fault finding, tripping circuits, flickering lights and damaged cables.
📋 Inspections: Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) for homeowners, landlords and buyers.
Electrician or handyman: who can do what?
A handyman can often hang a mirror over a socket or swap a light shade, but anything that alters wiring should be done by a qualified electrician. In England and Wales, some small like-for-like jobs, such as replacing a damaged socket front or a light switch on an existing circuit, are not notifiable, yet they still need to be done safely and tested. If the person you hire cannot test their work with proper instruments or issue a certificate, they are not the right person for electrical jobs. Insurers may also question claims linked to unqualified electrical work.
Notifiable work: what the law says
In England and Wales, domestic electrical work falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. Certain jobs are notifiable, meaning they must be reported to building control, including:
- installing a new circuit;
- replacing a consumer unit;
- adding to or altering circuits in a room with a bath or shower, within the zones around it.
The simplest route is to use an electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme, such as NICEIC, NAPIT or Stroma. They can self-certify the work and notify building control for you. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building standards, so local rules apply there.
Paperwork you should receive
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC): for new circuits, rewires and consumer unit changes.
- Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate: for small additions such as an extra socket on an existing circuit.
- Building Regulations Compliance Certificate: issued via the scheme for notifiable work, usually within a few weeks.
Keep these documents safe. Solicitors often ask for them when you sell your home, and landlords need proof of safe installations.
How to get an accurate quote
- Describe the job clearly: number of sockets or lights, location, and photos of your fuse box.
- Bundle tasks together: one visit for several jobs is usually cheaper than separate call-outs.
- Ask what is included: materials, making good, testing, certificates and waste removal.
- Compare at least three quotes and check reviews on independent platforms.
- Confirm registration on the official competent person register before work begins.
Red flags to avoid
- No written quote or refusal to provide certificates.
- Cash-only payment with large upfront deposits.
- Cannot name the scheme they are registered with.
- Offers to skip testing or building control to “save you money”.
Prices reflect typical UK electrician rates; rules based on GOV.UK Building Regulations guidance.
Independent guide – not linked to any electrician or trade body.