Electricians near you: compare up to 5 free quotes
Need an electrician for a rewire, a new fuse board or a safety check? Tell us about the job and your postcode. We pass it to up to five local electricians, who can send you a quote. It is free, and you never have to accept one.
## What electricians doElectrical work ranges from changing a light fitting to rewiring a whole house. Since faulty wiring is a real safety risk, the person you hire matters more than for most jobs. Match the electrician to the size of the job.
- Rewires, including new cables, sockets and a new fuse board.
- Consumer unit upgrades, which replace an old fuse box.
- EICR safety reports, which test the wiring you already have.
- Sockets, switches and lighting, from extra sockets to garden lights.
- Fault finding, such as tripping circuits or dead sockets.
- EV charger installation at home.
Check they are registered
In England, many electrical jobs are notifiable under Building Regulations Part P. This includes a new circuit or a new consumer unit. A registered electrician can certify the work. Otherwise you must notify your local building control, which costs extra.
Look for membership of a competent person scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT. Both have an online search, so you can confirm a member before you book. Wales and Scotland have their own building rules, so ask which apply to you.
How much does an electrician cost?
Price guides from Checkatrade and HaMuch put electricians at about £40 to £70 an hour for normal domestic work. London and the South East often cost more. Guides we checked also suggest these ranges outside London:
- An EICR for a three-bedroom house is often about £180 to £300.
- A consumer unit replacement is often about £450 to £800.
- A full rewire of a three-bedroom house is often about £4,500 to £9,500, before making good.
Guides disagree, so use these as a starting point. Our electrician cost guide has more detail and the sources.
Electrical emergency?
If you see smoke, sparks or a burning smell, switch off at the mains if it is safe, and leave while you call for help. Call 999 for a fire. For a fault that is not dangerous, such as a circuit that keeps tripping, see our emergency electrician page.
How to choose an electrician
We do not vet or guarantee the electricians who respond, so check them yourself. Ask for ID, proof of insurance and a written quote, and look them up on the scheme’s own website. A good electrician will give you an Electrical Installation Certificate or a Minor Works Certificate when the job is done.
Our guide to finding a tradesman you can trust covers the other checks, because the register is only one of them.
Before you hire
Read how to find a tradesman you can trust, how to read tradesperson reviews and Checkatrade vs MyBuilder vs Rated People before you shortlist anyone.
Frequently asked questions
What is an electrician’s hourly rate?
Most guides put it at about £40 to £70 an hour for normal domestic work, although some electricians quote a day rate of around £400 instead. London costs more, so compare quotes from your own area.
How much does an EICR cost?
For a three-bedroom house, guides we checked suggest about £180 to £300 outside London. The price covers testing and the report only, because repairs are extra.
How much does it cost to rewire a house?
A three-bedroom house often costs about £4,500 to £9,500, although sources differ. Plastering and decorating afterwards usually cost extra, so ask what the quote includes.
Do I need a registered electrician for every job?
Not for every job, although you should use one for anything beyond a simple swap. In England, new circuits and consumer units are notifiable. A registered electrician can certify them, which saves you the building control fee.