How much does an electrician charge per hour in the UK?
Hourly rates, EICR costs, rewires, EV chargers and fuse box upgrades — what UK electricians charge in 2026 and how to spot a fair quote.
Updated 14 May 2026
Electricians in the UK typically charge between £45 and £85 per hour, but most jobs are quoted as a fixed price rather than time-and-materials. This guide covers the most common jobs and what they should cost.
Hourly and day rates
Hourly: £45–£85. Day rate: £250–£500 for a single qualified electrician. Apprentices and labourers are typically billed at half rate.
EICR (electrical safety check)
An EICR on a 3-bed home costs £150–£250 and takes 2–4 hours. It's required for all rented properties on a 5-yearly cycle. The report grades issues C1 (immediately dangerous), C2 (potentially dangerous), C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation). Only C1 and C2 affect a 'satisfactory' result.
Fuse box (consumer unit) upgrade
A modern 18th-edition consumer unit installed costs £450–£900 depending on the number of circuits and whether RCBO protection is fitted on every circuit. The job typically takes a day.
Full rewire
A 3-bed home full rewire is £3,500–£6,500 and takes 5–10 working days. Expect mess — floors lifted, chases cut into walls, plastering required afterwards (often quoted separately).
EV charger installation
A standard 7.4kW home charger costs £800–£1,400 installed. The OZEV grant is no longer available for most homeowners, but flat-dwellers and some landlords still qualify.
Certification
All notifiable work (new circuits, work in bathrooms or kitchens, consumer unit changes) must be carried out by a Part P registered electrician — typically NICEIC, NAPIT or Stroma. They issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and notify Building Control on your behalf.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a qualified electrician for new sockets?▾
Adding sockets to an existing circuit in most rooms is non-notifiable, but still must be tested and certified. Don't DIY it — a poorly wired socket is a real fire risk and invalidates your insurance.
How do I check an electrician is registered?▾
Check the NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA or Stroma online register. Their registration number should be on their van and any quote.