Electrician Rates UK 2026: How Much Should You Pay?
Electrical work isn't a place to cut corners — getting it wrong is dangerous and, since Part P came in, illegal in many cases. This guide covers what UK electricians genuinely charge in 2026, what's worth paying extra for, and how to spot underqualified bidders before you sign anything.
Electrician hourly and day rates in the UK (2026)
Most qualified UK electricians charge £45–£90 per hour or £280–£550 per day in 2026. Day rates almost always work out cheaper per hour because there's no travel mark-up baked in. The variance comes mainly from region, qualifications (NICEIC-approved contractors charge more) and whether the work needs to be certified to Part P.
| Region | Hourly rate | Day rate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £70–£110 | £420–£600 |
| South East | £60–£95 | £360–£540 |
| South West | £50–£80 | £300–£480 |
| Midlands | £45–£75 | £280–£450 |
| North West | £45–£75 | £280–£440 |
| North East | £40–£65 | £260–£420 |
| Scotland | £45–£75 | £280–£460 |
| Wales | £40–£65 | £260–£420 |
| Northern Ireland | £40–£60 | £250–£400 |
Fixed prices for common UK electrical jobs
For most household electrical work, a fixed-price quote is fairer than paying by the hour. Here are 2026 UK price ranges for the jobs we see most often quoted on AllSorted and other marketplaces.
| Job | Typical UK price (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Replace a single socket | £60 – £120 | Higher for chased-in or hidden wiring |
| Add a new double socket (extension) | £90 – £180 | Includes minor making good |
| Replace a light fitting | £70 – £140 | Plus the fitting itself |
| Install a ceiling-mounted downlight | £60 – £110 | Each — cheaper as a set |
| Replace a light switch | £50 – £90 | Single gang |
| Install an outdoor socket | £140 – £260 | Weatherproof, RCD-protected |
| EICR (3-bed house) | £150 – £300 | Periodic inspection report |
| Replace consumer unit (fuse board) | £450 – £800 | 18th edition, RCBOs |
| Install an EV charger (7kW, no grant) | £800 – £1,400 | Cabling + load survey |
| Smoke alarm system (Grade D, hardwired, 3-bed) | £300 – £550 | Linked alarms |
| Partial rewire (kitchen) | £900 – £2,000 | 1–2 days |
| Full rewire (3-bed house) | £3,500 – £6,500 | 5–10 days, plastering extra |
| Full rewire (4–5 bed house) | £5,500 – £8,500 | 7–14 days |
What changes the price (besides region)
- Cable runs. Surface-mounted trunking is fast and cheap. Chasing cables into walls and replastering can double the labour bill.
- Age and condition of existing wiring. Old rubber, lead-sheathed or fabric cabling almost always means a partial rewire — there's no such thing as 'just adding one socket' to a 1970s circuit.
- Certification level. A NICEIC-approved contractor will charge more than a Part P-registered electrician — but they're also legally allowed to certify more demanding work.
- Building Control fees. For larger or notifiable jobs (new circuits, fuse board changes), there may be a council notification fee of £80–£250.
- Materials. Decent consumer units, RCBOs and SWA cable carry real cost — anyone quoting £250 to swap a fuse board fitted is using cheap parts.
How much does a full house rewire cost?
A full rewire of a UK home in 2026 typically costs £3,500 for a 2-bed flat up to £8,500+ for a 4–5 bed detached house. The biggest variables are the number of circuits, whether you live in the property during the work (more disruption = more time = more money), and how much making-good (plastering, decorating) is included.
Most rewires take 5–10 working days for a typical 3-bedroom home. You'll usually be without power in parts of the house during the day, and the work is dusty — many homeowners arrange to be elsewhere for at least the first 2–3 days.
EICR cost: what's reasonable in 2026?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the official 'is this electrics safe?' inspection — it's mandatory for landlords every 5 years. Expect to pay £120–£250 for a 1-bed flat, £150–£300 for a 3-bed house, and £250–£450 for a 4–5 bed home. Anything significantly cheaper usually means the inspector is rushing or skipping circuits.
How to get a fair price (and avoid the cowboys)
- Always check the registration. Use the Electrical Competent Person Register to verify NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or STROMA registration.
- Get three quotes. Real-time bidding on AllSorted lets verified electricians compete on price for your specific job — homeowners typically save 15–25% versus the first quote.
- Insist on itemised pricing. Materials, labour, certificate fee, Building Control fee and VAT should each be a separate line.
- Avoid 'cash discounts'. A 20% off offer for cash usually means no warranty, no certificate and no recourse if something goes wrong.
- Combine jobs. Doing six small jobs in one visit drops the per-job price dramatically.
Need an electrician? Post your job on AllSorted — verified UK electricians bid live, you compare prices, certifications and reviews in one place, and you book the right pro for the work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an electrician cost per hour in the UK?
Qualified UK electricians charge £45–£90 per hour in 2026, with London and the South East at the top of that range. Day rates of £280–£550 usually work out cheaper per hour than booking by the hour.
How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bedroom house in the UK?
A full rewire of a 3-bedroom UK house typically costs £3,500–£6,500 in 2026, taking 5–10 working days. The price excludes redecoration; budget another £800–£1,500 for plastering and painting after the rewire is complete.
What is an EICR and how much does it cost?
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a periodic safety inspection, mandatory for UK landlords every 5 years. A 3-bed house typically costs £150–£300. Cheaper inspections often skip circuits or rush the assessment.
Do I need a Part P registered electrician for everything?
In England and Wales, notifiable work — new circuits, consumer unit replacements, work in special locations like bathrooms — must be done by a registered competent person or notified to Building Control. Non-notifiable like-for-like replacements can technically be done by anyone competent, but using a registered electrician protects you legally and for insurance.
Why are some electricians so much cheaper than others?
Big price gaps usually come from: registration level (NICEIC contractors charge more), insurance and warranty cover, materials quality (cheap consumer units vs Hager/Wylex), and whether the certificate is genuinely included. A quote that's 40% below the others almost always has something missing — ask before assuming.
Should I pay a deposit to an electrician?
For small jobs under £500, never pay a deposit — pay on completion. For larger jobs (rewires, EV chargers, fuse board changes), a 20–30% deposit for materials is normal once the start date is confirmed in writing. Stage payments of 30/30/30 with 10% on sign-off are common for full rewires.
About the author
AllSorted Editorial Team
Home services research & UK trades industry analysis
The AllSorted Editorial Team works with verified UK tradespeople, plumbers, electricians and home services professionals to publish accurate, up-to-date guidance for British homeowners. Editorial standards are reviewed against guidance from the Federation of Master Builders, NICEIC, Gas Safe Register and Trading Standards.