How Much Does an Electrician Cost?

The honest answer is "it depends" — so here's exactly what it depends on, what a good quote includes, and how to compare prices fairly.

Anyone who quotes a firm price for electrical work without seeing the job is guessing. The cost of a real job depends on what the work involves, how much labour and materials it needs, and the age and condition of the property. Two homes the same size can be hundreds of pounds apart on the same job.

Rather than give you a number that turns out to be wrong, here's what actually drives the price — so when you do get a quote, you'll understand every line of it.

What Affects the Cost of Electrical Work

The type of work

Adding a socket or fitting a light is a small job; a consumer unit upgrade is bigger; a full house rewire is bigger again. The scope is the single biggest driver of cost, so the first step is always understanding exactly what the work involves.

Labour and time

Most electrical work is priced on labour, either per job or per day. A straightforward visit might be an hour or two; a rewire or commercial fit-out can run to several days. The more time a job takes, the more it costs — which is why an accurate assessment up front matters.

Materials and parts

Cable, accessories, consumer units, EV chargers, and fittings all vary in price and quality. Choosing reliable parts costs a little more but lasts longer and stays safe. Your quote should make the materials line clear and separate from labour.

The age and condition of the property

Older properties with outdated wiring, fabric cables, or no earthing often need more work than a quick fix suggests. What looks like a simple job can uncover problems that have to be put right to be safe — a good electrician flags this before starting, not halfway through.

Access and disruption

Running new cables means lifting floorboards, chasing walls, or working in lofts and under floors. How accessible everything is — and how much making-good is needed afterwards — affects how long the job takes and what it costs.

Certification and notification

Notifiable work under Part P must be certified and, where required, notified to Building Control. EICRs, installation certificates, and Building Control notification are part of doing the job properly, and they form part of an honest quote rather than a hidden extra.

Emergency and out-of-hours work

A planned visit during normal hours is priced differently from an emergency call-out on a Sunday night. If you need urgent help, ask how the call-out is charged so there are no surprises.

Compliance and safety standards

All work should meet the 18th Edition BS 7671 wiring regulations. Meeting current standards sometimes means more than the bare minimum — extra RCD protection, proper bonding, correct cable sizing — and that protects your home long after the job is done.

What a Good Quote Includes

  • Labour for the full scope of work, clearly described
  • Cable, accessories, and any parts or fittings
  • Testing, certification, and Building Control notification where required
  • Making-good after cables are run (confirm this is listed)
  • A clear breakdown so you can see exactly what you're paying for
  • Confirmation of whether it's a fixed price or an estimate

Questions to Ask Before You Accept

  • Is this a fixed price, or an estimate that could change?
  • Are testing, certification, and any Building Control notification included?
  • Is making-good after the work included, or extra?
  • Are you 18th Edition qualified and Part P registered?
  • Are you insured, and is the work guaranteed?
  • What's the realistic timescale from start to finish?

The Only Accurate Price Is a Proper Quote

Tell us about the work and we'll assess it and give you a clear, no-obligation quote — every line explained.

Get a Free Quote