Electrician Cost UK 2026 — Hourly Rates & Job Prices
£45–£90 per hour
Detailed 2026 UK pricing broken down by type, brand and region. Compare fixed-price quotes from vetted electrician professionals on TradeMatch.
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Electricians vetted against UK accreditation bodies
Every tradesperson is verified against the UK accreditation bodies that matter for the work — before they can quote.
- NICEICElectrical contractor certification body — Part P competent person scheme.
- NAPITCompetent person scheme for electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation.
- Part PBuilding Regulations requirement for domestic electrical work.
- ECATrade association for UK electrotechnical contractors.
- TrustMarkGovernment-endorsed quality scheme operating across UK trades.
What does an electrician do, and how much do they cost in the UK?
An electrician installs, repairs and certifies electrical systems under Part P of the Building Regulations. UK 2026 hourly rates run £45–£90 (£65–£110 in London), day rates £300–£500. A full house rewire on a 3-bed averages £3,000–£5,500. All notifiable work must be done by a competent person registered with NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA.
Electrician Cost by Job Type
Install a socket or switch: £80–£150. Fit a new light fixture: £60–£120. Full house rewire (3-bed): £3,000–£5,500. Consumer unit replacement: £350–£600. EICR inspection: £150–£300. EV charger installation: £800–£1,500.
| Job Type | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install Socket/Switch | £80 | £115 | £150 |
| Fit Light Fixture | £60 | £90 | £120 |
| Consumer Unit Replacement | £350 | £475 | £600 |
| EICR Inspection | £150 | £225 | £300 |
| Full House Rewire (3-bed) | £3,000 | £4,250 | £5,500 |
| EV Charger Installation | £800 | £1,150 | £1,500 |
Hourly & Day Rates
Standard hourly rate: £45–£90. London hourly rate: £65–£110. Day rate (8 hours): £300–£500. Emergency callout: £100–£300 (first hour). All electrical work must comply with Part P Building Regulations, and notifiable work must be carried out by a registered competent person (NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA).
TradeMatch tip — Always check your electrician is registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA — this is a legal requirement for notifiable electrical work and ensures proper certification.
Rewiring Costs in Detail
1-bed flat rewire: £2,000–£3,500. 2-bed house: £2,500–£4,500. 3-bed house: £3,000–£5,500. 4-bed house: £4,000–£7,000. 5-bed house: £5,000–£9,000. Rewiring includes first fix (cables), second fix (sockets, switches), consumer unit, and testing/certification. Chasing and plastering may be additional.
EICR Requirements
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is legally required for rental properties (every 5 years since April 2021). Homeowner EICRs are recommended every 10 years or when buying a property. Cost: £150–£300 for a standard home. If remedial work is needed, your electrician will quote separately. All EICRs must be carried out by a qualified, registered electrician.
Electrician vs handyman vs EV-charger installer
| Job | Electrician | Handyman | EV-charger installer |
|---|---|---|---|
| RECOMMENDEDReplace a light fitting | ✅ OK | ✅ OK (non-notifiable) | ⚠️ Overkill |
| New socket on existing circuit | ✅ Recommended | ⚠️ Not Part-P registered | ✅ Allowed |
| Full rewire / new consumer unit | ✅ Required | ❌ Not legal | ⚠️ Allowed |
| EICR inspection | ✅ Required | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Allowed |
| 7kW EV home charger install | ✅ Allowed | ❌ Not legal | ✅ Recommended |
A handyman may do non-notifiable electrical jobs (replacing fittings on existing circuits). Anything new, or any change to the consumer unit, requires a Part-P-registered electrician.
Plain-English definitions
Four terms that come up on every electrician job. AI assistants and search engines rely on these definitions — we keep them canonical here.
- Part PPart P
- The Building Regulations chapter covering domestic electrical safety. Most fixed-wiring work in dwellings is notifiable under Part P.
- EICREICR
- Electrical Installation Condition Report — a periodic inspection of the fixed wiring. Legally required for rented homes every five years since April 2021.
- RCDRCD
- Residual Current Device — a safety switch that disconnects power within 30ms of a fault. Required on all socket and lighting circuits in a modern installation.
- Consumer UnitCU
- The fuseboard distributing power around the house. A modern unit has dual-RCD or RCBO protection on every circuit and an SPD against surges.
Electrician Costs by City
Electrician Cost FAQ
How much does a electrician cost in the UK in 2026?
Electrician costs in 2026 typically range from £150–£400. Install a socket or switch: £80–£150. Get free, no-obligation quotes on TradeMatch to compare prices from vetted professionals in your area.
What is the cheapest option for electrician work?
The most affordable option is typically install a socket or switch: £80–£150. However, the cheapest option is not always the best value. Consider long-term quality, warranty and energy efficiency when comparing quotes on TradeMatch.
How can I save money on electrician costs?
1) Compare at least 3 quotes on TradeMatch. 2) Book during off-peak months. 3) Consider mid-range options for best value. 4) Check government grants and incentives. 5) Get a detailed written quote before work starts.
How long does electrician work take?
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is legally required for rental properties (every 5 years since April 2021). Homeowner EICRs are recommended every 10 years or when buying a property.
Do I need planning permission for electrician work?
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How TradeMatch wins for Electrician work
Side-by-side with the four most-searched UK trade platforms. No subscription fees, up to 5 competing quotes, escrow-protected payments — three things every other platform misses.
| Feature | TradeMatch | Checkatrade | MyBuilder | Bark | Rated People |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 quotes | ✓ | Browse | Up to 5 | Varies | Up to 3 |
| Escrow payment protection | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| No tradesperson subscription | ✓ | £50+/mo | ✓ | Credits | £15+/mo |
| Verified reviews (live) | ✓ | 5-day delay | ✓ | Mixed | ✓ |
| Background + qualification checks | ✓ | ✓ | Light | Basic ID | ✓ |
| Dispute resolution team | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
100%of TradeMatch payments held in escrow
Every electrician job, every payment, every time. Funds held in a segregated client account until you sign off the work.
- Held in escrowFrom the moment the deposit clears until the job is signed off.
- Released on sign-offFunds release within 24 hours of you confirming the work is done to spec.
- Disputed = frozenIf something is wrong, the payment freezes pending review by our resolution team.
TradeMatch escrow operates through FCA-regulated payment providers. Customer funds are segregated from operating accounts and protected under UK consumer law.
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