Electrical Costs
Understanding UK electrical costs. Rewiring, circuits, consumer units, and certification expenses.
UK Electrician Labour Rates
Budget: £80-£130/day
Apprentices or inexperienced electricians. Basic work only.
Standard/Qualified: £150-£220/day
Qualified electricians. All work to standard, proper testing and certification.
Specialist/Master: £240-£320+/day
Highly experienced. Complex installations, design, problem-solving.
Common Electrical Work Costs
Complete Rewiring
Small property (2 bed): £2,500-4,000
Average property (3 bed): £4,000-6,500
Large property (4+ bed): £6,500-10,000+
Includes new consumer unit, all cabling, outlets, testing and certification
Consumer Unit Upgrade
Basic replacement: £400-800
With RCD upgrade: £600-1,200
Includes removal, installation, testing, certification
New Circuits/Outlets
Single new outlet: £50-100
New circuit (lighting): £150-300
New circuit (power/cooker): £300-600
Includes cabling, installation, testing, certification
Lighting & Switches
New ceiling light: £80-150
Pendant/chandelier: £120-250
Per new switch: £40-80
Includes labour and testing
Special Installations
Bathroom extraction fan: £100-200
Heated towel rail: £100-180
Electric shower installation: £150-250
Underfloor heating thermostat: £80-150
Material Costs
Electrical cable (per metre): £0.20-0.80 depending on size
Outlet/switch plate: £2-10
Light fitting: £20-100+ depending on type
Consumer unit: £150-400
Circuit breakers (per unit): £10-30
Real Example: Bathroom Electrics
Budget Bathroom
Standard Bathroom
Premium Bathroom (Heated Floor)
What Affects Cost?
- Cable routing difficulty: Easy = cheapest. Complex routing adds cost
- Existing wiring condition: Unsafe wiring forces rewire (expensive)
- Consumer unit location: Far from work area increases cable cost
- Testing & certification: Mandatory for any work. Included in prices above
- Building Regulations: Some work requires approval (additional cost)
Critical Note: Always Use Qualified Electricians
Electrical work MUST be done by a qualified, registered electrician (Part P compliant)
- Required by Building Regulations
- Required for insurance validity
- Dangerous if done incorrectly (risk of fire/electrocution)
- Unqualified work will cause resale issues
Common Misunderstandings
- "I can do electrics myself": Illegal and dangerous. Insurance won't cover
- "Electrical certification is optional": Legally required. Affects future sale
- "All electricians charge the same": Qualified vs unqualified: major difference in cost and safety
- "Extractors are just fans": Must be installed to regulations (ductwork, grading, etc.)
Red Flags
- Electrician not qualified (NICEIC, NAPIT certified): Major red flag
- No certification promised: Illegal and risky
- Suspiciously cheap rates: May indicate unqualified work
- Won't provide building control certificate: Needs to be provided