Commercial electrical maintenance is usually priced as a contract (planned, recurring) plus reactive callouts as needed — rather than a single fixed figure. Here’s how the costs break down so you can budget realistically.

How commercial maintenance is priced

Most arrangements have two elements:

• Planned (PPM) contract — a scheduled programme of compliance work (EICR, emergency lighting, fire-alarm checks, PAT), priced per year or per visit based on your premises.
• Reactive callout — fault-finding and repairs as needed, charged at a (often discounted-for-contract) hourly or call-out rate.

Bundling planned work into a contract usually gets you a better reactive rate and priority response.

Typical component costs

The building blocks that make up a maintenance budget:

• Commercial EICR: priced by the number of circuits/distribution boards — small premises from a few hundred pounds; larger sites considerably more. See our EICR testing service.
• Emergency lighting testing: periodic (monthly flick-test and annual full-duration test) — priced by the number of fittings.
• PAT testing: per item, ~£1–£3 with a minimum charge. See our PAT testing cost guide.
• Fire-alarm testing: periodic, priced by system size.
• Reactive callout: hourly/call-out, with out-of-hours premiums.

What affects the price

• Premises size and type — an office is simpler than an industrial unit with three-phase machinery.
• Number of circuits, fittings, and appliances — drives EICR, emergency-lighting, and PAT costs.
• Frequency — risk-based; higher-risk sites need more frequent attention.
• Response level — 24/7 priority cover costs more than business-hours.
• Compliance documentation — FM-grade reporting and asset registers may add to the spec.

Why a contract often saves money

A planned contract spreads compliance across the year, avoids the scramble (and premium) of last-minute work, secures priority reactive cover, and usually a better hourly rate. It also keeps you continuously compliant rather than risking a lapsed certificate — which matters for insurance and, for landlords, the law.

Budgeting realistically

• Start with your compliance must-dos (EICR, emergency lighting, fire alarm, PAT) — these are non-negotiable.
• Add a reactive contingency for faults.
• Factor your risk level — kitchens, industrial, and high-footfall premises need more.
• Get a survey-based quote — commercial pricing should be tailored, not off a list.

What good cover includes

• A scheduled PPM programme covering all your statutory checks
• Audit-ready certification and reports
• Priority reactive cover with clear rates
• One NICEIC contractor handling planned and reactive together

Get a commercial maintenance quote

For a tailored, fair-priced commercial maintenance arrangement across East London — planned and reactive in one — GFL Electrical are your local NICEIC electricians. See our commercial maintenance service or call 020 3774 5604.