How Much Should An Electrician Charge Per Hour?
Are you an electrician in the UK looking to set a competitive hourly rate? Or, are you a homeowner or business owner trying to understand what is fair when it comes to hiring an electrician for work?
It can be difficult for professional electricians, and those paying for their services, to know what exactly is a fair rate. From checking the safety of existing electrical systems, to rewiring projects or even installing bespoke electrical equipment, Tradesman Saver is here to help you understand how much you should be charging, and how much you should be paying, for a professional electrician in 2023.
Who Are Tradesman Saver?
Tradesman Saver is the leading provider of tradesman insurance in the UK, including specialist electricians insurance to keep professional electricians and their clients safe. We offer a complete range of tradesman insurance policies, from tools insurance to public liability, professional indemnity and bespoke insurance packages to offer complete protection for electricians and other tradespeople across the UK.
How Much Does An Electrician Cost Per Hour, In The UK?
The cost of a professional electrician can vary wildly depending on a range of factors, such as where you are in the UK, the kind of project you’re involved in, and whether it’s a domestic or commercial project.
For example, you can usually expect to pay more for commercial electrical work than domestic work – which is great news for homeowners, but not so great for business owners.
The average cost of an electrician in the UK, according to Checkatrade, is as follows:
ServiceAverage CostElectrician cost per hour£55Electrician cost per day£400Emergency electrician cost per hour£90
Again, it’s worth noting that these are simply averages, and you’re likely to be quoted both lower and higher numbers than these – particularly if you live in London, or somewhere that’s difficult to access.
What Is The Average Cost of An Electrician In The UK?
When hiring an electrician, you should expect to pay between £45 and £65 per hour. This can vary wildly between various parts of the country, and even different electricians in the same area, so it’s always a good idea to shop around.
What Is The Average Cost of An Electrician In London?
For an electrician in London, you can expect to pay around £55 to £75 per hour. However, in some cases, such as weekend callouts, you may be expected to pay up to £100 as the callout charge for the first hour, then around £50 for each hour afterwards.
Common Electrical Issues:
Common electrical issues facing homeowners in the UK include tripped circuits, faulty wiring, and power surges. These types of electrical problems can be caused by a variety of things such as improper installation, age-related wear and tear of the wiring, overloading outlets with too many devices, and inadequate grounding. Solving these problems requires a professional electrician to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.
What Kind of Factors Can Impact Electrician Costs?
There are many different factors which can impact the overall cost of hiring a professional electrician, including:
The Type of Work: As you’d expect, more complex jobs or projects can take longer and require a greater level of skill. As such, they are worth much more, and your electrician will charge you for their time and their expertise.The Size & Location Of Your Project: If you’re working on a larger-scale project, you should expect to pay more overall due to the additional time and resources required. Similarly, if you’re located in an area where skilled electricians are harder to come by or there is higher demand for their services, you can expect to pay a premium. If you’re paying for an electrician in London, or another busy city centre, you can probably expect the average cost to also be significantly higher than elsewhere in the country.Accessibility: If your project requires access to awkward or difficult to reach places, this can add additional time and cost to the overall job.The Need For Special Equipment: If your project requires specialised tools or equipment, you may be charged a fee for them. Similarly, if your electrician needs to provide their own parts to repair your system, or even go out and purchase them for you, these should be factored into the cost.Emergency Services: Whether or not you require emergency services, such as an out-of-hours or weekend call out. Emergency work can be significantly more expensive than scheduled work, so if you suspect a problem is developing with your electrical systems, it’s worthwhile getting them looked at as soon as possible.
Average Cost Per Project In The UK
ServiceCost RangeAverage CostElectrical safety certificates (one bedroom)£125£125Electrical safety certificates (five bedrooms+)£300+Not availableSocket installation cost£55 – £75£65Shower installation cost£250 – £400£325Replacing a fuse box£450 – £800£625
Electrical Safety Certificates
Electrical safety certificates aren’t always necessary – particularly for homeowners, but it is highly recommended. This certificate will state that your property has been inspected and tested to ensure that all of its electrical systems are safe and compliant with regulations.
It is recommended that you have an electrical safety check carried out once every 10 years, and the average you can expect to pay for an electrical safety certificate in the UK is around £210.
Electrician Costs Per Day
When it comes to hiring an electrician for smaller jobs, such as installing a new light switch or socket, wiring a plug or repairing an electrical fault, the cost of labour is usually calculated on a ‘per hour’ rather than ‘per day’ basis. However, the final price you pay will vary depending on the scope of work, and the hourly rate your electrician charges.
The average cost for hiring an electrician in the UK per day is around £350 – £450 but, again, this can vary wildly depending on the nature of the work. Unless you need emergency work carried out, the best thing to do is ask around your local area and get a few different quotes for the project.
How Much Should I Charge For An Emergency Electrician Callout?
If you’re an electrician and you’ve been called up out of hours or for immediate work, then you should expect to be paid a higher rate for the job. The price you charge depends on where you are located in the country, as well as the complexity of the work that needs to be carried out.
One solution used by many professional electricians is an increased callout fee, with the hourly rate then dropping to normal after the first hour. For example, if you typically charge £45 per hour, you should consider charging £100 for the first hour and £45 per hour after that.
The average electrician callout fee in the UK is around £100 – £200 per hour but, again, this can vary greatly depending on the job and the location.
The Average Electrician’s Quote:
Whenever you’re quoting for anything, it’s usually a good idea to get at least three quotes. Similarly, as a tradesperson, you should assume that your potential client has acquired at least two quotes from your competitors.
When compiling a quote for a job, make sure to factor in the cost of materials and any additional services you may be providing, such as emergency callouts.
When quoting, bear in mind that your rates need to remain competitive if you want the work. As such, you should overcharge or significantly undercharge for your services.
The former will make you seem greedy and put prospective clients off, and the latter will make you seem unprofessional.
Can I Carry Out Electrical Work Myself?
If you’re not a tradesperson, it is strongly recommended that you avoid attempting to carry out any electrical work yourself.
Doing so not only puts you at considerable risk of physical harm, but also risks damaging your property by causing an electrical overload or fire. It is highly advisable to always hire a professional electrician when undertaking such tasks.
Protect Your Electrician Business With Tradesman Saver
It’s important to remember that no matter how much you charge for your services as an electrician, having proper insurance in place is essential. Not only does it protect your business from any potential issues or accidents, but it also allows you to offer greater peace-of-mind for your customers.
At Tradesman Saver, we offer comprehensive electricians’ insurance products that will protect both your business and your clients from all potential risks associated with the work. Whether you’re looking for public liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance or any other kind of essential protection for tradespeople in the UK, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
