From rewiring old faulty wiring to installing new electrical sockets and even conducting Electrical Inspection Condition Reports, there are many tasks you need electricians for. This guide will help you budget for any electrical tasks, providing average figures for how much electricians cost per hour, and an estimated breakdown of their per-project rates.
Please bear in mind that this is only a guide to average costs, and several factors influence how much you will pay, including:
- Where you live in the UK
- How old your property is and what kind of condition it’s in
- If you’re asking the electrician to dispose of old appliances for you
- If wires need to be ‘chased’ – hidden neatly in walls
How to collect and compare quotes
- Ask your electrician to provide a detailed breakdown of what they charge for the various tasks you require doing
- Get at least three quotes – it’ll give you a good idea of what to expect and how each electrician will approach the job / how easy they are to work with
Electrical repair cost – What’s the average hourly rate for an electrician?
The average hourly rate for an electrician in the UK according to Which? The prices range from £40 – £60. This will usually cover the price of them coming to your house and the first hour of work.
Electrician prices list
Please remember the following price lists are just averages to help you budget. They include labour and materials but not VAT.
Task: Install or replace a light fitting
| Task | Description | Average price | Average time it takes |
| Replace light fitting | Replace standard light fitting with new one supplied by customer | £35-£55 | 0.5-1 hour |
| Install dimmer switch | Replace standard light switch with dimmer | £35-£65 | 0.5-1 hour |
| Install central light in loft | Supply and fit a new light in loft with switch outside loft hatch | £75-£150 | 2-3 hours |
| Install kitchen downlighters | Replace old strip lighting in kitchen with LED downlighters | £275-£440 | 5-8 hours |
| Install external security light | Supply and install an external movement-sensitive security light | £85-£140 | 1-3 hours |
Task: Installation of sockets, cables and appliances
| Task | Description | Average price | Average time it takes |
| Install two extra double sockets** | Supply and fit two double sockets (white) in one room | £110-£165 | 2–4 hours |
| Install an outdoor power socket | Fit a double socket on an external wall | £85-£135 | 1-3 hours |
| Repair power cable | Fix damaged cable on vacuum cleaner or similar appliance | £35-£55 | 0.5-1 hour |
| Fit an electric cooker | Fit a single fan electric oven (customer supplies oven) where power is already in place | £35-£65 | 1 hour |
| Install electric shower*** | Supply and fit 8.5kw electric shower | £265-£415 | 0.5-1 day |
**More if you want wires hidden (chased) in walls.
***You may need to employ a plumber for this too.
Task: Rewiring and electrical inspections
| Task | Description | Average price | Average time it takes |
| Rewire two-bedroom terraced house | Replace old wires and fittings with new wiring and fittings in six rooms, including kitchen and bathroom | £2,400-£3,500 | 5–8 days |
| Rewire three-bedroom semi-detached house | Replace old wires and fittings with new wiring and fittings in eight rooms including kitchen and bathroom | £3,000-£4,500 | 6–10 days |
| Rewire four-bedroom detached house | Replace old wires and fittings with new wiring and fittings in 10 rooms including kitchen and two bathrooms | £3,750-£5,500 | 10–15 days |
| Replace fuse box | Supply and fit a new fuse box for a three-bedroom semi-detached house | £450-£550 | 0.5-1 day |
| Conduct electrical inspection report | Safety check on electrical wiring in a three-bedroom semi detached house | £150-£300 | 4–8 hours |
Whatever you need, we’re on our way
With HomeServe electrical breakdown cover for wiring, fusebox breakdowns and broken sockets, our Home Experts will help make sure that unexpected electrical problems don’t leave you in the dark. Our repairs service can also help you with other household issues like one-off repairs to your boiler or appliances. So don’t hesitate to get in touch.
FAQs
How much does an electrician cost per hour UK?
The average hourly rate for an electrician in the UK ranges from £40 – £60. This will usually cover the price of them coming to your house and the first hour of work.
How much does it cost to rewire a house UK?
This depends on the size of your house. The average figures according to Which? are £2,400 for a two-bedroom house, rising to £5,500 for a larger four-bedroom house.
Do you need an electrician to change a plug socket?
Not necessarily. If you take all the proper precautions around electrical safety, you can use our detailed guide to How to change your plug socket yourself.
