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Most of us don’t think much about electrics until something stops working. Maybe a socket suddenly trips the fuse board, a light fitting needs replacing, or you realise your home simply doesn’t have enough plug sockets for modern life.

Electricians help with everything from quick repairs and fault finding to rewiring projects, fuse box upgrades, electric shower installations and safety certificates.

This guide explains typical electrician hourly rates in the UK, electrician day rates, emergency call-out costs, common electrical job prices and what affects the final quote.

How much does an electrician cost per hour?

As a guide, the average electrician hourly rate is around £50 per hour.

Most electricians charge somewhere between £45–£60 per hour, depending on the type of work, where you live, and whether the job is urgent.

Get a quote from electricians near you

For an accurate idea of costs in your area, it’s worth getting quotes from a selection of checked local electricians.

A written quote should explain the hourly rate or fixed job price, whether materials are included, whether there’s a call-out fee, and whether any certification is required.

Electrician costs at a glance

• Electrician hourly rate: around £50 per hour

• Electrician day rate: around £400 per day

• Emergency electrician hourly rate: around £90 per hour

• Electrical safety certificate: around £212.50

• Socket installation: around £65

• Replacing a light fitting: around £65

• Electric shower installation (install only): around £325

• Replacing a fuse box: around £625

• Rewiring a house: around £6,950

Electrician day rate in the UK

For longer jobs, electricians may charge a day rate instead of an hourly rate.

The average electrician day rate in the UK is around £400, based on 8 hours at £50 per hour.

A day rate may be used for jobs such as:

• Larger installation work

• Several smaller jobs grouped together

• Electrical work during renovations

• Wiring for extensions

• Fuse box replacement

• Remedial work after an inspection

For larger or more complex work, an electrician may prefer to quote a fixed project price rather than charging purely by time.

Emergency electrician cost

Emergency electricians work outside normal hours, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays and overnight.

As a guide, emergency electrician rates are usually around £90 per hour, although urgent call-outs can range from £80–£100 per hour.

You may need an emergency electrician if:

• Your power has gone off unexpectedly

• Sockets are sparking

• You smell burning near electrics

• Your fuse box keeps tripping

• Water has affected electrics

• An electrical fault is creating a safety risk

It’s also wise to check whether a call-out charge will be added to the total cost.

Find an emergency electrician near me

If you’re facing sparks, burning smells, tripped circuits, or a sudden outage, finding help quickly matters. For a commitment to quality and a job done right, search for an emergency electrician near you with Checkatrade.

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Electrician call-out fees

Many electricians charge a minimum call-out fee, particularly for smaller jobs.

This fee often covers:

• Travel time

• The first hour on site

• Basic fault finding

That’s why very small jobs can sometimes feel expensive compared with the amount of time the electrician actually spends at your property.

For example, in a major city like London you could pay up to £100 for the following situations:

• An emergency call-out on a weekend/evening

• A small job (one hour maximum). So even though the electrician may only be one 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

Hourly rate vs fixed-price electrical jobs

Smaller electrical jobs are often charged hourly, especially if the work is expected to take less than a few hours.

However, for bigger jobs — such as fuse box replacement, rewiring, or installing electrics for an extension — many electricians prefer to quote a fixed project price instead.

That can actually work in your favour because if the job takes longer than expected, you’ll usually still pay the agreed quote rather than extra hourly charges.

Common electrician jobs and costs

Most people don’t hire an electrician every week, so it can be difficult to know what’s considered a 'small job' versus something more involved.

Some jobs only take an hour or two. Others, such as rewiring or replacing a fuse box, can take several days and may involve multiple visits, testing and certification.

Here are some of the most common electrical jobs homeowners pay for and what they typically cost.

These costs don’t include touch-ups after the work, such as patch repairs, plastering or repainting.

Socket installation cost

Adding a new socket is one of the most common electrician jobs, especially in older homes where there never seem to be enough plug sockets in the right places.

Typical cost: around £55–£75 per socket.

This usually includes basic labour and standard materials (our cost includes an allowance for a 4m conduit, channel and cable clips). Costs may increase if:

• Wiring needs extending a long distance

• Walls need chasing out

• Access is difficult

Light fitting installation cost

Replacing a standard light fitting usually costs around £55–£75.

More decorative lighting, downlights or exterior lighting may cost more because installation takes longer and access can be trickier.

Exterior lights, in particular, may also need weatherproof fittings and additional wiring.

Shower installation cost

Electric shower installation typically costs around £250–£400, excluding the shower unit itself.

If your electrician is also supplying the shower, total costs often rise closer to around £800.

Shower installation costs vary depending on:

• Cable size

• Fuse board capacity

• Existing wiring condition

• Whether plumbing work is also needed

Fuse box replacement cost

Replacing a fuse box (consumer unit) is one of the larger electrical jobs homeowners commonly face.

Typical cost: around £450–£800.

The final price depends on:

• The size of your property

• The number of circuits

• The condition of the existing wiring

• Whether remedial work is needed

This type of work usually includes testing and certification.

House rewiring cost

A full house rewire is one of the most expensive electrical projects because it affects the entire property.

Typical cost: around £3,900–£10,000.

Rewiring costs vary massively depending on:

• Property size

• Whether the property is occupied

• Access to walls and floors

• How much making-good work is needed afterwards

Rewiring often involves lifting floorboards, chasing walls and replacing old cabling throughout the property — it can get messy.

Because of the disruption involved, many people choose to rewire before moving into a property or during a larger renovation project.

Electrical safety certificate cost

An electrical safety certificate (EICR) costs around £212.50 on average.

Electrical safety checks are commonly carried out:

• When buying or selling a home

• For rental properties

• After renovation work

• When electrics are old or repeatedly causing issues

As a general guide, it’s recommended to have an electrical safety check around every 10 years.

What affects electrician costs?

Electrician costs vary because no two jobs are exactly the same.

The main cost factors include:

• Type of job: Installing a new socket is much cheaper than rewiring a house or replacing a fuse box

• Time required: Longer or more complex jobs naturally increase labour costs

• Age and condition of the property: Older homes sometimes have outdated wiring, limited access or older systems that take longer to work with safely

• Materials and parts: Consumer units, cables, fittings, sockets and replacement parts all affect the final price

• Access: Tight loft spaces, difficult wiring routes or awkward access can increase labour time

• Location: Electrician rates are usually higher in London and the South East

• Urgency: Emergency and out-of-hours work costs more than planned daytime appointments

Additional costs to budget for

An electrician’s hourly rate is only part of the overall cost.

Depending on the job, you may also need to budget for:

• Call-out fees or minimum charges

• Materials and fittings

• Replacement parts

• Certification

• Parking or congestion charges

• Making good after work

• Plastering or repainting

• Extra labour time if faults are found

• Emergency or out-of-hours charges

Not every job will involve these extras, but it’s worth asking before work starts.

What should be included in an electrician quote?

A clear electrician quote should explain exactly what you’re paying for.

Check whether it includes:

• Hourly rate or fixed project price

• Call-out fee

• Estimated time on site

• Materials and fittings

• Certification, if required

• VAT, if applicable

• Access requirements

• Whether making good is included

• What’s excluded

Electrician hourly rate cost calculator

Use our electrician cost calculator to get a rough idea of what your project might cost before asking local electricians for quotes.

You’ll need to think about the type of electrical work needed, how many fittings or circuits are involved, whether it’s urgent, whether materials are included, whether certification is needed, and your location.

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For an accurate figure, ask a selection of checked local electricians to assess the work and provide an itemised quote.

Can you do electrical work yourself?

Some very small electrical tasks may be suitable for confident DIYers, but most electrical work should be handled by a qualified electrician.

Electricity can be dangerous if handled incorrectly. Poor electrical work can cause electric shock, fire risk, damaged appliances, failed safety checks, insurance issues, and expensive repairs later.

For anything involving wiring, consumer units, showers, circuits, or safety certification, it’s best to hire a qualified electrician.

Checklist: electrician rates

• Explain the job clearly before asking for quotes

• Ask whether the price is hourly, daily or fixed

• Check whether there’s a call-out fee

• Ask whether materials are included

• Confirm whether certification is needed

• Ask whether making good is included

• Check whether emergency rates apply

• Compare a selection of quotes where possible

• Get everything in writing before work starts

When should you speak to an electrician?

It’s worth speaking to an electrician if your electrics are faulty, outdated, unsafe, or no longer working for how you use your home.

You may also want advice if you’re planning a renovation, extension, house rewire, or an electrical safety check.

A good electrician can explain what’s needed, flag any safety issues, and tell you whether the job is likely to be charged hourly, daily or as a fixed price.

Every Checkatrade job is backed by our £1,000 guarantee

Up to £1000. Eligibility criteria and T&C’s apply.

Find qualified electricians near you

Comparing local electricians is the best way to understand what a fair price looks like in your area.

A reputable electrician should explain the work clearly, provide a written quote, and confirm whether certification or safety checks are needed.

FAQs

How much do electricians charge per hour in the UK?

Electricians usually charge around £50 per hour, with typical hourly rates ranging from £45–£60.

What is the electrician day rate in the UK?

The average electrician day rate is around £400, based on an 8-hour day at £50 per hour.

How much does an emergency electrician cost?

Emergency electricians usually charge around £90 per hour, although urgent call-outs can range from £80–£100 per hour. A call-out fee may also apply.

How much is an electrician call-out fee?

Call-out fees vary by electrician and location. Some electricians have a minimum charge or a higher first-hour rate, especially for small jobs or emergency work.

Do electricians charge more for emergency callouts?

Yes. Emergency electricians usually charge higher rates because they work evenings, weekends, overnight and bank holidays.

Typical emergency electrician rates range from around £80–£100 per hour, and there may also be a separate emergency call-out fee.

What is the electrician hourly rate in London?

Electricians in London usually charge around £50–£60 per hour, although rates can rise to around £100 per hour for emergency, evening, weekend or small call-out jobs.

Is it cheaper to pay an electrician hourly or by the job?

For small jobs, hourly pricing is common. For larger jobs, a fixed quote can be easier to budget for because you know the total cost upfront.

How much does an electrical safety certificate cost?

On average, an electrical safety certificate costs around £212.50.

How much does it cost to install a socket?

Socket installation usually costs around £55–£75, with an average cost of £65.

Can I do electrical work myself?

You should only attempt electrical work if you’re competent and the job is safe and legally permitted. For most electrical jobs, especially wiring, consumer units, showers or safety checks, hiring a qualified electrician is the safer option.

Why do electrician costs vary so much?

Electrician costs vary depending on the job type, time required, materials, access, location, urgency and whether certification is needed.

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