How Much Does an Electrician Charge Per Hour in the UK? (2026)
How much does an electrician charge per hour in the UK? In 2026, electricians typically charge £45-£75 per hour, or £200-£380 per day, depending on their location, qualifications, and type of work. This guide breaks down electrician hourly rates across the UK, explains what drives the variation, and helps electricians set their rates correctly.
UK Electrician Hourly Rates in 2026
How much an electrician charges per hour varies across the UK:
| Region | Electrician hourly rate | Electrician day rate |
|---|---|---|
| London | £65-£100/hr | £320-£480/day |
| South East | £55-£85/hr | £280-£420/day |
| Midlands | £48-£72/hr | £240-£360/day |
| North of England | £42-£65/hr | £210-£320/day |
| Scotland/Wales | £40-£62/hr | £200-£300/day |
Source: Checkatrade electrician cost guide, MyJobQuote, 2026.
What Drives Electrician Hourly Rate Variation
How much an electrician charges per hour depends on:
Qualifications and accreditations: An NICEIC registered electrician with EV charging and solar PV qualifications justifies a higher rate than a newly registered domestic installer. Specialist qualifications – 2391 Inspection and Testing, OZEV EV charging – command a premium.
Commercial vs domestic: Commercial electrical work typically commands 15-25% higher rates than domestic work due to tighter programme requirements, more complex installations, and higher liability exposure.
Type of work: Consumer unit upgrades, EICR surveys, and EV charger installation all command premium rates relative to basic socket or lighting work.
Emergency callouts: Emergency electrical work – tripped circuits, no power, dangerous installations – commands 1.5-2× the standard rate for same-day or out-of-hours response.
Standard Electrician Job Prices in 2026
| Job type | Typical price |
|---|---|
| New socket installation | £80-£180 |
| Consumer unit (fuse board) replacement | £350-£700 |
| EICR survey (3-bed house) | £150-£300 |
| EV charger installation | £400-£1,200 |
| Rewire (3-bed house) | £3,000-£5,500 |
| Outdoor lighting installation | £150-£400 |
| Emergency callout | £80-£150 callout + hourly rate |
See Checkatrade’s full electrician pricing guide for detailed regional breakdowns.
How Electricians Should Calculate Their Minimum Rate
Calculate your break-even rate before setting prices:
- Annual overheads: NICEIC/NAPIT registration (£400-£900/year), van, insurance, test equipment calibration, 18th Edition renewal, phone, accountant – typically £10,000-£18,000/year
- Target income: your desired take-home after tax
- Billable hours: approximately 1,300-1,500 per year after holidays, admin, and travel
- Formula: (overheads + target income) ÷ billable hours = minimum hourly rate
See HMRC’s self-employed National Insurance rates for current tax obligations.
Free calculator by CoreQuote — the quoting app for trades
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an electrician charge to replace a fuse box?
A consumer unit (fuse board) replacement in 2026 typically costs £350-£700 including parts and labour. The price varies with the size of the installation, number of circuits, and any additional work required. See Checkatrade’s consumer unit cost guide for regional benchmarks.
Is £65 per hour reasonable for an electrician?
Yes. £65/hr is within the normal range for an experienced, NICEIC-registered electrician in most UK regions outside London in 2026. For specialist work (EV charging, solar, industrial), this would be at the lower end.
Do electricians charge call-out fees?
Most electricians apply a minimum call-out charge (typically 1-2 hours) for any job, covering travel and set-up time. Emergency out-of-hours callouts usually carry a separate fixed call-out fee (£60-£120) on top of the hourly rate.
CoreQuote helps electricians build professional quotes with itemised work breakdowns. Try free for 6 months at kwowta.com.
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