How much does an electrician charge per hour in the UK?

£40–£80 per hour for domestic work, with a national mid-point near £55. London is £65–£95 per hour.

What's the minimum call-out charge?

Most electricians charge a minimum 1-hour fee (£60–£130) plus a separate call-out fee for emergencies.

Are electricians cheaper than electrical companies?

Sole traders are typically 15–30% cheaper than national chains, though larger firms offer guaranteed response times and warranties.

How much is an EICR test?

£120–£250 for a flat or 2-bed house, £180–£350 for a 3–4 bed house. Landlords are legally required to get one every 5 years.

Do electricians charge VAT?

Yes if VAT-registered (turnover above £90,000). Smaller sole traders may not charge VAT.

What qualifications should I look for?

Level 3 NVQ, City & Guilds 2391/2382, plus registration with NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA for Part P self-certification.

Trades · Last updated 19 October 2026

Electrician hourly rate in the UK

Typical range£40–£80· per hour

Electricians in the UK typically charge £40–£80 per hour, with a national average around £55 per hour for a domestic Part P registered electrician. Day rates run £280–£450 outside London and £400–£600 in central London. Emergency call-outs add £75–£150 minimum, and weekend or overnight rates are usually 1.5×–2× the standard rate.

Quick answer: Electrician hourly rate in the UK in the UK typically costs between £40 and £80 (per hour). London and the South East run 20–35% above this range; the North, Wales and most of Scotland sit 5–15% below.

Homeowners researching this typically also price up plumber hourly rate in the uk, builder day rate in the uk and kitchen renovation cost in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.

Cost table

Indicative price ranges (UK, GBP)

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Hourly rate — most of UK	£40–£65/hr
Hourly rate — London	£60–£90/hr
Day rate — most of UK	£280–£420/day
Day rate — London & South East	£400–£600/day
Emergency call-out (first hour)	£75–£180
EICR (3-bed house)	£150–£280

Labour costs

Most domestic jobs are quoted on fixed price or half/full day rates rather than pure hourly billing.

Labour line items

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Fit a single socket or switch	£60–£130
Add a new lighting circuit	£180–£380
Replace a consumer unit	£400–£800
Full rewire — 3-bed house	£3,500–£6,500
EV charger install (7 kW)	£800–£1,400
Smoke alarm system (mains-wired)	£350–£650

Materials costs

Materials are normally itemised separately or marked up 10–20%. Cable, accessories and consumer units are the main lines.

Materials & fittings

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Twin & earth cable (per metre)	£1–£4/m
Sockets / switches (each)	£5–£20
RCD consumer unit	£120–£280
LED downlights (each)	£8–£25
EV charger (Pod Point / Ohme)	£350–£700

Hourly rate by region

Item	Typical range (GBP)
North England, Scotland, Wales, NI	£40–£55/hr
Midlands & South West	£45–£65/hr
South East	£50–£75/hr
Central London	£65–£95/hr

Factors affecting cost in the UK

·Region — London and South East rates run 30–50% above the national average.
·Registration scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT) — registered electricians charge slightly more but self-certify Part P works.
·Call-out fees — most charge a minimum 1-hour fee even for short visits.
·Time of day — weekends and evenings often billed at 1.5× rate.
·Job complexity — concealed wiring in plastered walls takes longer than surface conduit.

Hidden & unexpected costs

·Making good plaster and decoration after chasing in cables.
·Building Control notification (£100–£250 if not self-certified).
·Upgrading the consumer unit to comply with 18th edition rules.
·Parking charges in city centres (often passed through).
·Minimum 1-hour billing for very small jobs.

Ways to reduce cost

·Bundle multiple small jobs into one visit to avoid repeated minimum fees.
·Always confirm the electrician is Part P registered (saves Building Control fees).
·Get itemised quotes — distinguish labour from materials.
·Source non-specialist items (light fittings, EV chargers) yourself.
·Book non-urgent work outside winter peak for lower fixed-price quotes.

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.

Typical range: £60–£200 (single electrician call-out).

Electrician call-out fee in the UK — indicative prices

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

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.

·Time of day — out-of-hours adds 60–120%.
·Sole-trader vs national brand.
·Travel distance and rural surcharges.
·Bundle multiple small jobs into one visit.
·Use Part P registered electricians (NICEIC, NAPIT, Stroma) — saves Building Control fees.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an electrician charge per hour in the UK?: £40–£80 per hour for domestic work, with a national mid-point near £55. London is £65–£95 per hour.
What's the minimum call-out charge?: Most electricians charge a minimum 1-hour fee (£60–£130) plus a separate call-out fee for emergencies.
Are electricians cheaper than electrical companies?: Sole traders are typically 15–30% cheaper than national chains, though larger firms offer guaranteed response times and warranties.
How much is an EICR test?: £120–£250 for a flat or 2-bed house, £180–£350 for a 3–4 bed house. Landlords are legally required to get one every 5 years.
Do electricians charge VAT?: Yes if VAT-registered (turnover above £90,000). Smaller sole traders may not charge VAT.
What qualifications should I look for?: Level 3 NVQ, City & Guilds 2391/2382, plus registration with NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA for Part P self-certification.
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.

Sources & how we estimate

Prices are typical UK ranges compiled by ModernExpert.AI from published trade rates and supplier price lists, and are estimates — always get at least three written quotes. Rules on permissions, safety and certification come from the official sources below. Last reviewed 19 October 2026.

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