Electrician call-out fee in the UK
An electrician call-out fee in the UK typically costs between £60 and £120 during standard working hours, and £100–£200 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays. The call-out usually covers travel and the first 30–60 minutes on site, with additional time billed at £45–£75 per hour.
Homeowners researching this typically also price up electrician hourly rate in the uk, plumber call-out fee in the uk and emergency plumber cost in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.
Cost table
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Standard hours call-out | £60–£120 |
Evening call-out | £100–£180 |
Weekend call-out | £120–£200 |
Bank holiday / overnight | £150–£250 |
London standard hours | £80–£150 |
London out of hours | £150–£280 |
Fault find / no power diagnostic | £90–£220 |
Labour costs
Most electricians structure call-outs as a fixed fee covering travel and the first 30–60 minutes, then bill hourly. Test & inspect work is often quoted as a fixed price.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Standard hourly rate (after call-out) | £45–£75/hr |
Out-of-hours hourly rate | £80–£140/hr |
Half-day rate | £180–£320 |
Full day rate | £250–£420 |
EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) | £150–£350 |
Materials costs
Common van-stock items used on call-outs are RCD/MCB replacements, switches, sockets and cabling.
| Item | Typical range (GBP) |
|---|---|
Replacement MCB | £10–£35 |
Replacement RCD | £25–£70 |
Single / double socket | £6–£25 |
Light switch | £4–£25 |
Ceiling pendant rose & flex | £8–£30 |
2.5 mm² T&E cable (per metre) | £1.5–£4/m |
Factors affecting cost in the UK
- ·Time of day — out-of-hours adds 60–120%.
- ·Sole-trader vs national brand.
- ·Travel distance and rural surcharges.
- ·Part P notification requirements (most installers include in cost).
- ·Region — London adds 30–50%.
Ways to reduce cost
- ·Bundle multiple small jobs into one visit.
- ·Use Part P registered electricians (NICEIC, NAPIT, Stroma) — saves Building Control fees.
- ·Avoid out-of-hours unless it's an actual safety issue (sparks, burning smell, total power loss).
- ·Get an EICR every 5–10 years to spot faults early.
- ·Compare three quotes for any job over £200.
Frequently asked questions
- Do electricians always charge a call-out fee?
- Most do. Some waive it for larger jobs that proceed. Always confirm the call-out structure before booking.
- What's an EICR?
- An Electrical Installation Condition Report — a periodic inspection of the wiring and consumer unit. Required for rental properties every 5 years.
- How fast will an electrician attend?
- Within 1–3 hours for an emergency, next-day for standard work. Test and inspection visits are usually booked 5–10 days ahead.
- Do I need a Part P registered electrician?
- For notifiable work yes — kitchen and bathroom circuits, new circuits and consumer unit changes must be notified to Building Control. Registered installers can self-certify.
- Will home insurance cover an emergency electrician?
- Most home emergency add-ons cover total power loss up to £500–£1,000 with a £50–£150 excess. Check policy schedule.
- Do electricians charge VAT?
- VAT-registered companies and most national brands charge 20% VAT. Many sole traders trade under the VAT threshold and do not.