You’ve got a quote — or you’re about to ask for one — and the real question is simple: is this a fair price, or am I being overcharged? Electrician pricing looks confusing because it comes in three forms (hourly, day rate, fixed price), varies a lot by region, and jumps for emergencies. This guide lays out what UK electricians actually charge in 2026, why London costs more, and how to read a quote so you can book with confidence.

What do electricians charge per hour?

For standard domestic work, most UK electricians charge roughly £45–£60 per hour. That’s the national middle ground — rates run lower in parts of the North and Midlands and higher in the South East.

In London and the South East, expect £80–£100 per hour. That isn’t electricians cashing in; it reflects higher business costs — vehicles, insurance, fuel, and the cost of operating in the capital.

Day rates

For bigger jobs, electricians often quote a day rate instead of by the hour, which usually works out better value for you on longer work. As a 2026 guide:

• Domestic work: around £250–£350 per day
• Commercial work: around £300–£500 per day
• London: typically £300–£400 per day for domestic

A rewire, a consumer unit replacement, or a full day of multiple jobs is normally priced this way.

Call-out fees and emergencies

A call-out fee covers an electrician coming to you, and often (but not always) the first hour. Typical flat call-out charges run £65–£120. For emergencies, rates rise — emergency hourly rates sit around £80–£100+, with the highest charges late at night and on weekends and bank holidays. That premium is normal: someone is on call and travelling to you at short notice.

What affects the price

A few things legitimately move the number:

• Where you are — London and the South East are dearest.
• Time and urgency — a Sunday 2am emergency costs more than a weekday afternoon.
• The job’s complexity — a quick socket swap versus tracing a hidden fault.
• Access — solid walls and awkward routes in period homes add labour.
• Qualifications — an NICEIC-registered electrician who certifies the work is worth more than someone who can’t.

Hourly, day rate, or fixed price — which is best for you?

• Hourly suits small, quick jobs (a faulty socket, a single light).
• Day rate suits longer jobs and usually saves you money over hourly for a full day’s work.
• Fixed price is best for defined jobs (an EICR, a consumer unit replacement, an EV charger) — you know the total up front, and the risk of overruns sits with the electrician, not you.

For anything substantial, a clear fixed price or day rate beats an open-ended hourly meter.

How to tell a fair quote from a rip-off

A fair quote is a clear quote. Before you book, it should tell you:

• The hourly rate or fixed job price
• Whether materials are included
• Whether there’s a call-out fee, and what it covers
• Whether certification is included (and you should expect it for notifiable work)

Red flags: no price until they arrive, vague “we’ll see when we get there,” cash-only with no paperwork, or no recognised registration (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA). A genuine professional is happy to put the price and what’s included in writing.

And the obvious tip: for anything beyond a quick job, get two or three quotes from registered local electricians. The cheapest isn’t always the bargain — an uncertified job can cost far more to put right.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an electrician cost per hour in the UK? Roughly £45–£60 per hour for standard domestic work nationally, rising to £80–£100 per hour in London and the South East.

What’s a typical electrician day rate? Around £250–£350 per day for domestic work and £300–£500 for commercial in 2026, with London domestic rates around £300–£400.

How much is an electrician call-out fee? Commonly £65–£120 as a flat charge, often covering the first hour. Check whether the first hour is included.

Why are emergency rates higher? Out-of-hours work carries a premium because someone is on call and travelling at short notice. Emergency rates are typically £80–£100+ per hour, highest at night and on weekends.

Why does London cost more? Higher business costs — vehicles, insurance, fuel, and operating in the capital — push London and South East rates above the national average.

Should I pay hourly or get a fixed price? For small jobs, hourly is fine. For defined or larger jobs (EICR, consumer unit, EV charger, rewire), a fixed price or day rate is usually better value and removes the risk of an open-ended bill.

Is the cheapest quote the best? Not necessarily. A low price with no certification or registration can cost far more to fix later. Compare a few registered electricians and weigh value, not just price.

Get a clear, fair quote

We believe in telling you the price before we start — the rate or fixed cost, what’s included, and whether certification applies. No surprises, no vague “we’ll see.” GFL Electrical are NICEIC-approved electricians serving East London.

Get in touch for a quote, or if it’s urgent, see our emergency electrician page.