How Much Does an Electrician Cost in London? – Average Hourly and Daily Rates

There is no denying the importance of electricity. The majority of what we do on a day to day basis is somehow linked to electricity; it powers our homes, workplaces, shops, devices, leisure centres, cinemas and more. It’s especially important in our homes, and it makes daily life a lot more convenient. So, when electrical issues arise, it’s important to solve the problem quickly. This is where electricians come in.

Whether it’s a flickering light, a troublesome plug socket or a major rewiring project, don’t underestimate the importance of hiring a professional tradesman. Electricians ensure our electricity remains safe and reliable to use, as well as being compliant with regulations.

But, when it comes to hiring an electrician, you might be wondering how much it will cost. The cost of electrical services varies based on many factors, from the type of work needed to your location. Even the quality of materials used will have an impact.

If you are planning to hire an electrician in London, you need to know how much a professional is likely to charge per hour and per day. Armed with this information, you can determine which experts are competitively priced.

Average Hourly and Day Rates for Electricians in London

Day Rates

The average day rate for an electrician in London varies between around £300 to £400, but this can vary based on a number of factors. For example, electricians in busier areas are likely to charge more, as are those with a lot of experience behind them.

Hourly & Daily Rates

You will find yourself paying between £50 and £60 per hour for an electrician in London. Again, this cost will vary depending on a variety of things, including your location and the scope of the work. Some electricians charge more for the first hour and less as the project goes on. If you need an electrician with specialised skills, you will likely pay slightly more for their expertise.

Call Out Fees

Most electricians charge a call out fee and they calculate this by doubling their hourly rate. Electricians with hourly rates of £40 will generally have a call out fee of around £80. The cost of labour, materials and the work itself will then be charged on top of this.

Emergency Call Out Fees

If you need an electrician in an emergency, you will pay more than if you were to hire someone and schedule the work in advance. For electricians with hourly rates of around £40, their emergency call out fee will be between £80 and £160.

Factors That Affect Costs

The fees that electricians charge can vary depending on a variety of factors. It doesn’t matter if you are planning a simple electrical repair or a more extensive project, it’s important to understand the different factors that influence the average cost of the work. Here are some of the main things that impact the cost of hiring an electrician.

Scope of Work

The nature of the electrical work is a key determinant of the cost. Basic tasks such as changing a light switch will be less expensive than more complex jobs, such as installing new wiring in a room or adding a new electrical panel.

Labour Costs

Labour costs make up a significant portion of an electrician’s daily rate, and the cost of per day quickly adds up. The hourly rate of electricians varies depending on your experience, location and the complexity of the job.

Materials

The cost of materials – including wires, outlets, plugs, breakers and fixtures – can vary based on their quality and brand. Specialised or high end materials can increase the cost of electrical work.

Project Complexity

The complexity of the project will always affect the cost. Rewiring an older home or installing a new circuit is more complex and time consuming than simpler repairs, leading to higher costs.

Urgent Repairs

If you need electrical work done outside of regular business hours or on weekends, emergency service rates are likely to apply. The average hourly rate of an electrician will be higher at the weekend, evenings and for emergency call outs.

Location

The cost of electrical work can vary based on your location. Urban areas with a higher cost of living, such as London, tend to have higher hourly rates compared to rural regions.

Hidden Issues

It’s hard to give average costs for electrical work, as often a simple job uncovers hidden issues, such damaged wiring that needs replacement. These problems can unexpectedly add to the cost of the project.

Costs for Common Electrical Jobs

Replace a Light Fitting

You can expect to pay between £35 and £55 to remove a standard light fitting and to have it replaced by a new one. This doesn’t include the cost of the light fitting itself. It’s a similar cost to install a dimmer switch.

Install an Exterior Security Light

The average cost of hiring a professional to install an exterior security light is between £85 and £140. The job can take anywhere from one hour to three hours.

Install Two Double Sockets

It usually costs between £110 and £165 to have two double power sockets installed by an electrician, a job that takes between two and four hours.

Replace Fuse Box

If you need a new fuse box installed, you can expect to pay between £450 and £550. This is for a standard, three bedroom, semi detached property.

Fit an Electric Cooker

The average cost to fit a single fan electric oven is between £35 and £65, as long as the power is already in place. This does not include the cost of the oven.

Install an Electric Shower

On average, professionals charge between £265 and £415 to supply and fit an electric shower, which includes the cost of hiring an electrician for the day.

Rewire a House

You can expect to pay between £2,400 and £3,500 to completely rewrite an average 2 bedroom house. This includes removing old wiring and fittings, and installing replacements, including in the kitchen and bathroom. This price increases depending on the size of the house, with the same work on a three bedroom semi detached house costing between £3,000 and £4,500.

DIY Vs Hiring a Professional

When you are faced with an electrical problem, you need to decide whether to tackle the job yourself or hire a professional. This is a key decision, and there are pros and cons to both. If you are confident and experienced in DIY, you might want to save money by treating it as a personal endeavour, but there are multiple benefits that come with hiring a tradesperson.

DIY Electrical Work

• PRO – Cost Savings – Handling electrical work yourself can save money, as you won’t need to pay for the labour costs associated with hiring a professional.
• PRO – Quickly Fix Small Problems – If you only have a small, simple task that needs doing – such as changing a light switch – it can be quicker and simpler to handle it yourself.
• PRO – DIY Practice – If you already have some electrical knowledge, tackling DIY projects can be a good opportunity to learn and develop valuable skills.
• CON – Safety Hazards – Electrical work poses serious safety risks and working incorrectly with electricity can result in electrical shock, fires or worse. For complex tasks, it’s usually safer to hand things over to a professional.
• CON – Lack of Knowledge – Larger and more complex electrical projects, such as rewiring an entire room or upgrading an electrical panel, require in-depth knowledge, experience and compliance with electrical regulations. It’s unlikely that you will have the knowledge required to complete the job to a high standard.

Hiring a Professional Electrician

• PRO – Safety and Expertise – Professional electricians are trained, licensed and experienced in various electrical systems. They understand safety protocols and can complete tasks safely, making the entire project one with minimal risks.
• PRO – High Quality Work – Electricians can ensure that the work is completed to a high standard, reducing the risk of future issues or hazards. High quality work is likely to last a long time.
• PRO – Time Efficiency – Professionals can complete electrical projects quickly, reducing downtime and inconvenience. There’s no need to worry about dealing with an electrical problem for any longer than you need to.
• CON – Cost – Hiring a professional electrician is usually more expensive, as you need to include the hourly rate of your chosen expert. When an electrician provides an average cost, they take the cost of labour into account, making it more expensive than DIY work.
• CON – Scheduling – If you choose a recommended and popular electrician, your electrical needs will have to be scheduled at a time that works for them. You could be waiting a while if they are busy.

Finding an Electrician

The Page

One of the easiest ways to find an electrician is to use The Page, your ‘go-to’ resource for finding reliable tradesmen in your local area.

Regardless of the type of electrical work that you need doing, hiring an electrician is made a lot easier when you have a list of recommended, vetted and experienced electricians to choose from.

All you need to do is send an enquiry by clicking the button below and wait to be matched to a curated list of tradesmen, all of which are specifically suited to your job.

All of the tradesmen at The Page are personally met, vetted and their previous work has been thoroughly assessed.

Online Search

Regardless of where you live, you can connect with a wide range of professional electricians by conducting a simple online search. Whether you have a handful of common electrical jobs that need doing – such as a faulty fuse box or a damaged light switch – or a much larger, more complex electrical project, you won’t find yourself short of tradesmen to choose from.

Ask Around

Another way to find an electrician is to ask around and see if anyone comes positively reviewed by people you know. Speak to friends, family, colleagues and neighbours, and ask for their recommendations on who to hire. You can confidently hire an electrician, knowing that other people have been satisfied with their service.