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Last updated on December 6th, 2023

Electrician hourly rate guide

In modern times we have become extremely reliant on electricity, and why shouldn’t we? Whether for convenience (hairdryers, electric showers or elevators), for entertainment (televisions, radios or tablets) or even for critical functions (medical care, security or travel), electricity is a cornerstone of our lives.

When it comes to our homes most of us use electricity on a constant basis and as such, there are many circumstances where we may need the services of an electrician. Often, we don’t think about hiring an electrician until something goes wrong and we need a repair, however, it is also worth noting that electricians can help in many other situations.

If you’ve decided that you need the services of an electrician, you’re probably wondering what the average electrician hourly rates are.

From rewiring old and unsafe electrics to installing new electrical connections and even checking the safety of current wiring and conducting Electrical Inspection Condition Reports, there are many tasks electricians can do. Read on to find out how much electricians cost per hour, with a breakdown of their hourly and daily rates.

How much does an electrician cost per hour?

Electrician ratesAverage cost
Electrician cost per hour£50
Electrician cost per day£400
Emergency electrician cost per hour£90

Our costs are ballpark averages – get a local tradesperson to quote now

As most simplistic electrical jobs can be completed in less than a day it is very common for electricians to charge an hourly rate. You should always check whether your electrician also adds on a call out charge or has a minimum charge when budgeting for the job.

The hourly rate for an electrician is between £45 - £60.

What’s an electrician’s hourly rate in London?

You can expect it to be around £50 - £60 per hour.

However, you could pay up to £100 per hour in London for the following situations:

  • An emergency call out at a weekend/evening
  • It was a small job (1 hour maximum). So even though the electrician may only be 1 hour at your property, you’re probably paying for another hour of travel time to/from your property etc
  • A minimum call-out charge. So the first hour may be £100 but additional hours would be £45 per hour

Common electrical issues

Electricians can help you with a wide range of issues within the home so if you are unsure if your job is right for them it is always worth a quick phone call to find out. Below are some of the most common electrical issues:

  • Installing new wiring: Electricians can assist with small jobs such as adding a new power socket to your home or with large projects such as completely wiring up a new extension
  • Rewiring: When an electrical item stops working or is damaged, you can contact an electrician instead of simply throwing it away. Quite often they may be able to rewire the item saving you the cost of buying a replacement
  • Emergencies: It is common knowledge that electricity can be extremely dangerous and it is essential that any damaged, dangerous electronics are repaired urgently
  • Industrial businesses: Electricians not only work within the home, but they also assist with large scale industrial jobs
  • Safety: Instead of waiting for something to go wrong it is a wise decision to regularly check the electrics in your home are safe and up to code. Electricians are able to perform safety checks and issue you with a certificate confirming your home is compliant with regulations

Electrician on an hourly rate

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Factors affecting electrician costs

Estimating an electrician’s hourly rate for your job is difficult due to the number of factors that have an influence on the overall total.

The following list covers some of the most common factors affecting electrician costs:

  • Type of job: Every job requires different materials, levels of difficulty and labour times which will affect the cost. E.g. adding a new plug socket will be cheaper than wiring an entire extension. More specialist work will also require electricians with higher hourly rates
  • Age and condition: Often older electronics require parts that are difficult to source and will be more expensive than newer items. Also, if your home electrics are in poor condition this can make the job more complex, increasing the cost
  • Time: More difficult or intensive jobs mean greater labour times, leading to higher costs
  • Accessibility: If your electrician is required to access hard to reach areas this will also increase the cost of the job
  • Location: You should also consider your location when budgeting for an electrician. Areas such as London will have higher electrician costs per hour

You could pay up to £100 per hour in London for the following situations:

  • An emergency call out at a weekend/evening
  • It was a small job (1 hour maximum). So even though the electrician may only be 1 hour at your property, you’re probably paying for another hour travel time to/from your property etc
  • A minimum call-out charge. So the first hour may be £100 but additional hours would be £45 per hour
Cost per jobCost + VAT
(Range low - high)
Average cost
Electrical safety certificates£125 (one bedroom)
£300+ (five bedrooms+)
£212.50
Socket installation cost£55 - £75£65
Shower installation cost£250 - £400£325
Replacing a fuse box£450 - £800£625

Electrical safety

While it is usually not essential, an electrical safety certificate is proof that your home and electrics are up to regulatory standards. It is recommended that you have an electrical safety check approximately every 10 years and the cost for an electrical safety certificate is on average £212.50.

Common electrician costs

As we previously discussed not all electrical jobs will cost the same due to a number of the above factors. A few examples of common jobs and their average costs are:

  • Socket installation cost – £55 - £75 -this includes an allowance for a 4m conduit, channel and cable clips
  • Shower installation cost (excludes shower unit cost) – £325
  • Shower installation and supply cost – £800
  • Replacing a fuse box cost£450 - £800

Note: The above costs do not include any touch-ups required on the job, including patch repair, plastering and repainting.

Electrician cost per day

When jobs take longer than a day, electricians will often stop charging an hourly rate and will switch to a daily rate. As covered in the previous section, it is still possible for your electrician to give you a quote for the job rather than its duration.

It could be better to ask for an upfront quote as if the job takes longer than planned as you will still pay the quoted price.

The average electrician cost per day is £400 – this rate is based on 8 hours at £50 per hour.

Electrician cost calculator

To calculate the cost of hiring an electrician you’ll need to factor in the type of work that needs doing and the size of the project. As most electricians will charge an hourly rate, it can be as straightforward as working out how long the work should take and working out the cost based on their hourly charge.

The best way to get an accurate figure is to speak to local electricians and ask them for a breakdown of their costs for the work you need doing.

Electrician quote

We always recommend obtaining at least three quotes from our trusted tradespeople. Our request a quote feature is perfect for getting quotes – you post details about the job you want doing and we’ll send it out to local tradespeople in your area. Try it out!

How much does an emergency electrician cost?

Emergency electricians work outside of usual working hours. They are available overnight, during holidays, and on weekends. If you do need to hire an emergency electrician during these times the usual hourly rate for electricians will increase from £80 - £100.

It is wise to check if a call out charge will be added to the total job cost.

Electrician conducing safety check

Can I complete electrical jobs myself?

When considering whether you can take on any electrical job yourself, the most important consideration is your skill level. Not every job will be as simple as rewiring a plug and you should never attempt an electrical job unless you have the knowledge and experience to do so.

The risks of tackling electrical issues if you are underqualified are numerous. Electricity is dangerous and can be lethal if not dealt with safely. As well as the risk to yourself if electrical jobs are not done correctly there is a risk of fire plus anyone using that electronic item risks electrocution.

Hiring an electrician gives you the confidence that the job will be conducted safely, that the end result will not be a quick fix, and that the best specialist equipment will be used.

Due to the danger and complexity of electrical jobs, we would recommend hiring a professional. To find a local, reputable, tradesperson in your area and view hourly rates of electricians near you, use our free search feature.

Key takeaways for hiring an electrician

  • Electricians are highly qualified professionals dealing with a wide range of electrical jobs
  • Your electrician may quote on an hourly, daily or per job basis
  • There are important safety regulations surrounding electrical jobs
  • Emergency electricians work weekends, holiday and overnight
  • Electricity is dangerous to work with and jobs should not be attempted by anyone who is not competent
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Working with professional estimators, we collate cost estimates for the common home improvement and repair jobs in the UK.

All the costs are estimates only. For accurate costs for your particular requirements, you are encouraged to reach out to professional tradespeople to receive a quote for your job.

Our estimators are Chartered Members (MRICS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Members of the Chartered Institute of Building (MCIOB). See full disclaimer.

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What others think of this article:

Boston Electrician

Excellent piece of information! Surely your blog will help more people.

Checkatrade

We're glad you enjoyed it, Nigel!

Nigel

Great! This article is worth it to read.

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