How-ToUpdated May 2026By TradeMatch Editorial Team·14 March 2026·Updated 12 April 2026·6 min read

How to Find a Reliable Electrician in Your Area

Hiring the wrong electrician can be expensive, dangerous and stressful. Here is a step-by-step guide to finding a reliable, qualified electrician you can trust.

Professional tradesperson completing quality work

Essential Qualifications to Check

Every electrician you hire should hold:

- Part P certification — This is a legal requirement for domestic electrical work in England and Wales
- NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA registration — These are government-approved competent persons schemes
- 18th Edition BS 7671 — The current wiring regulations qualification
- Public liability insurance — Minimum £1 million cover

On TradeMatch, we verify all these credentials before an electrician can quote on jobs.

5 Red Flags When Hiring an Electrician

1. No written quote — Always get a detailed written quote, not just a verbal estimate
2. Demands full payment upfront — A reputable electrician will invoice on completion, or take a small deposit for materials
3. Cannot provide registration details — Every qualified electrician should be registered with a competent persons scheme
4. No previous work examples — Ask for references or photos of previous jobs
5. Unusually cheap quotes — If one quote is significantly lower than others, it may indicate corners being cut

How Much Does an Electrician Cost?

Typical electrician costs in the UK:

- Day rate: £200–£350/day
- Hourly rate: £40–£80/hour
- Full house rewire: £2,500–£7,000
- Fuse board replacement: £350–£800
- Add a double socket: £80–£200
- EICR inspection: £120–£350

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it illegal to do your own electrical work?

You can do minor electrical work yourself (like changing a light fitting), but anything that involves fixed wiring, new circuits, or work in bathrooms/kitchens must be done by a Part P certified electrician or inspected and signed off by building control.

How long does a full house rewire take?

A full house rewire for a 3-bedroom house typically takes 5–10 days. The electrician will need access to all rooms and there will be some disruption including lifting floorboards and chasing walls.

What is an EICR and do I need one?

An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a health check for your home electrics. Landlords are legally required to have one every 5 years. Homeowners should get one if the property is over 25 years old or before a major renovation.