Electrician Costs UK 2026: What You'll Actually Pay

What Electricians Charge Right Now in 2026

Electrician costs in the UK have shifted noticeably since 2025. Most electricians now charge between £45 and £65 per hour for standard domestic work, though London and the South East push closer to £70 to £85 hourly. Rural areas often sit at the lower end of that spectrum.

Callout fees are standard. You'll pay £50 to £120 just for an electrician to visit your home, assess the job, and provide a quote. Some firms waive this if you proceed with the work, while others keep it as a separate charge. Always ask upfront whether the callout fee is refundable.

The minimum charge for a basic job typically runs £80 to £150, even if the work takes only 30 minutes. This covers travel, insurance, and business overheads. Knowing this helps you budget realistically.

Hourly Rates and Job Pricing Across the UK

Regional variation in electrician costs is significant. Here's how rates break down across different areas:

• Greater London: £65 to £90 per hour
• South East (Kent, Surrey, Sussex): £55 to £75 per hour
• Midlands: £45 to £65 per hour
• North West and Yorkshire: £40 to £60 per hour
• Scotland and Wales: £42 to £62 per hour
• Rural and remote areas: £35 to £55 per hour

These figures assume you're booking a Part P certified electrician registered with a competent person scheme. Unregistered or unlicensed workers may charge less, but you lose legal protection, insurance coverage, and the safety guarantee that comes with proper qualifications.

Fixed pricing is increasingly common for routine jobs. A standard circuit installation costs £150 to £300. Replacing a consumer unit (fusebox) runs £800 to £1,500 depending on its complexity and age. Socket installations cost £50 to £120 per socket when added to existing circuits.

Common Electrical Work and Real Costs

Knowing what specific jobs cost helps you plan finances and spot overpricing. Here are 2026 costs for typical domestic electrical work:

1. Emergency callout (evenings/weekends): £150 to £250 for the visit, then hourly rates on top
2. New light fitting installation: £60 to £150 per fitting (labour only)
3. Rewiring a single room: £600 to £1,200
4. Full house rewire (3-bed semi): £3,500 to £6,000
5. Shower installation (electric): £400 to £800
6. Cooker installation: £150 to £400
7. Loft insulation electrical safety check: £100 to £180
8. EICR (electrical installation condition report): £150 to £300
9. Boiler installation (wiring): £200 to £500
10. EV charging point installation: £500 to £1,200 (before grant)

Labour costs typically account for 60 to 70 percent of your bill, with materials making up the rest. Expensive parts like heating element replacements or specialist switches can shift this balance. Always request an itemised quote that separates labour from parts.

Factors That Push Electrician Costs Higher

Several things can increase what you pay beyond the standard hourly rate. Understanding these helps you negotiate better.

Travel distance matters considerably. An electrician working 20 miles from their base may add £20 to £40 to your callout fee. Emergency calls outside 8am to 5pm weekdays typically cost 50 to 100 percent more. Bank holidays and Christmas periods see similar premiums.

The age and condition of your property affects pricing. Properties built before 1970 often need additional time and specialist techniques for rewiring. Listed buildings and period properties require extra care and certification, pushing costs up by 20 to 40 percent. Modern homes with straightforward layouts are cheaper to work in.

Additional complications include concealing cables in walls rather than surface-mounted work, installing circuits in solid concrete floors, or dealing with asbestos identification. Remedial work on substandard existing installations costs extra. If an electrician finds dodgy previous work, rectifying it adds time and money.

Spare parts availability also influences cost. Standard items are cheap and in stock. Others must be special-ordered, adding delays and labour charges. Rare or obsolete components for older properties can be surprisingly expensive.

How to Get Fair Quotes and Avoid Overcharging

Getting multiple quotes is the single best way to ensure fair pricing. Request three independent quotes from registered electricians in your area. This gives you a genuine sense of the market rate for your specific job.

When requesting quotes, be specific. Describe exactly what you need done, list the age of your property, note any access issues, and ask whether the quote includes VAT and all materials. Request both an estimated timeframe and a final labour cost, not vague "time and materials" agreements.

Check qualifications before committing. Electricians should hold NVQ level 3 or equivalent, be registered with a competent person scheme (such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or Electrical Competent), and carry public liability insurance of at least £1 million. Ask to see these documents; genuine professionals keep them readily available.

Red flags include quotes significantly lower than others (suggests cutting corners), vague pricing with no itemisation, refusal to provide insurance details, or pressure to pay cash "to save you money" (this suggests avoiding tax and VAT). Trust your instinct if something feels off.

Fixed-price quotes are preferable to hourly estimates. If the job genuinely requires time-based pricing, agree on a maximum cost cap and get interim updates as work progresses.

Comparing Electrician Costs and Getting Value

The cheapest quote isn't always the best value. A £50 per hour electrician who takes twice as long costs more than a £65 per hour professional who finishes faster. Consider experience, reputation, response time, and aftercare support as part of the overall value.

Warranty and guarantees matter. Most registered electricians provide 12-month guarantees on their work. Some offer longer periods or extended protection plans. These safeguards justify slightly higher costs and protect you long-term.

Bundling multiple jobs into one visit reduces overall cost. Rather than calling an electrician three times for separate problems, list everything at once. The time for a second socket on the same circuit costs far less than the first.

Seasonal timing affects availability and pricing. Summer months are busier. Booking work in quieter periods (autumn or winter) sometimes means lower rates or faster scheduling. Don't delay genuinely urgent safety issues for minor savings.

Summary: Realistic 2026 Electrician Budgeting

Budget £45 to £85 per hour for standard UK domestic electrical work in 2026, depending on your region and the electrician's experience. Callout fees of £50 to £120 are normal, and minimum job charges apply even for quick work. Emergency or unsociable-hours work costs significantly more.

Always request itemised quotes, verify qualifications and insurance, and compare prices from at least three registered electricians. The lowest quote rarely offers the best overall value, so balance cost with experience, reputation, and warranty support.

Ready to find the right electrician for your job? Compare quotes from 3 local providers today and get transparent, realistic pricing for your specific work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a typical electrician hourly rate in the UK in 2026?
A: Most electricians charge between £45 and £65 per hour for standard domestic work. London and the South East are higher at £70 to £85 per hour, whilst rural areas sit at the lower end of the spectrum.

Q: Do electricians charge for a callout fee?
A: Yes, most do. Expect £50 to £120 for an initial visit and quote. Some firms waive this if you proceed with the work, whilst others keep it as a separate charge. Always ask upfront.

Q: What's the minimum charge for electrical work?
A: Typical minimum charges are £80 to £150, even for quick jobs. This covers travel, insurance, and business overheads.

Q: Are emergency electrician rates higher?
A: Yes. Emergency calls outside 8am to 5pm weekdays typically cost 50 to 100 percent more than standard rates. Bank holidays and Christmas periods see similar premiums.

Q: How much does a full house rewire cost?
A: A full rewire for a 3-bed semi typically costs £3,500 to £6,000, depending on the property's age and condition.

Q: Should I use unregistered electricians to save money?
A: No. Registered electricians cost more but you get legal protection, insurance coverage, and the safety guarantee that comes with proper qualifications. Unregistered work is risky.

Q: How can I get a fair price on electrical work?
A: Get three independent quotes from registered electricians, be specific about the work needed, check qualifications and insurance, and avoid suspiciously low estimates.

Q: What should a quote include?
A: An itemised quote should separate labour from materials, include VAT, specify the timeframe, and confirm whether the callout fee is refundable or credited against the final cost.