Pricing guide
What does an electrician cost?
Typical UK electrician rates by job type and region. Useful whether you are budgeting for work or pricing your own.
Indicative UK figures for a qualified electrician. Set quantity for hourly or day rates; materials are charged on top.
How electricians price work
There is no single electrician rate, because the trade prices different jobs in different ways. A five-minute fault and a full day of second-fix are quoted on different bases, so the first step to a fair price is knowing which one applies.
Common pricing models
- Call-out: a first-hour charge for turning up and diagnosing, with further time on top.
- Hourly: for small, open-ended jobs where the scope is not yet clear.
- Half or full day: better value for larger planned work, and how most installation work is priced.
- Emergency or out-of-hours: evenings, weekends and bank holidays carry a premium.
What sits on top
Materials are almost always charged separately, and a registered firm adds VAT. Region matters: London and the South East run above the national average. For a defined job most customers prefer a fixed quote to an hourly rate, because it puts the risk of overrunning on the electrician. If you are quoting, building the price from a saved rate card keeps every quote consistent, which is what SparkCerts does.
Typical UK rates by region (2026)
| Region | Hourly | Day rate | Call-out (first hour) |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £55 to £75 | £350 to £450 | £75 to £120 |
| South East | £50 to £65 | £300 to £380 | £65 to £100 |
| Midlands / North | £40 to £55 | £250 to £320 | £50 to £90 |
| Scotland / Wales | £38 to £52 | £240 to £300 | £45 to £85 |
Day rates work out cheaper per hour than booking the same electrician by the hour, because the travel and setup are paid once. Emergency and out-of-hours call-outs sit above these bands. For a specific job — PAT testing, an EICR, a consumer unit swap — the right number is the job price, not the raw rate, so use the matching calculator.
FAQs
How much does an electrician charge per hour in the UK?
Hourly rates are commonly about 40 to 60 pounds, with a call-out or first-hour charge often higher. London and the South East are at the top of the range, around 55 to 75 pounds an hour.
How much does an electrician cost per day?
A typical UK day rate is about 250 to 320 pounds in the Midlands and North, rising to 350 to 450 pounds in London. A day rate works out cheaper per hour than the hourly rate, because the travel and setup are paid once.
What is a typical electrician call-out charge?
A standard call-out (first hour) is often 40 to 90 pounds, and 65 to 120 pounds in London. Emergency or out-of-hours call-outs are higher. Materials are usually charged on top.
Should I ask for a fixed quote or an hourly rate?
For a defined job a fixed quote is usually better for the customer, because the electrician carries the risk of the work overrunning. Hourly rates suit small or open-ended jobs where the scope is not yet clear.