How much do electricians cost?

An electrician’s main role is to install and maintain electrical wiring and appliances so having a trustworthy qualified electrician is vital when it comes to emergency electrical work (a fuse box blown) or even for non-emergency work that will improve your home, either to make your rooms more practical with extra plug sockets or more trendy with the latest downlights. Helping you be prepared before disaster strikes as well as to help you with any home improvement projects you might be considering, HaMuch has put together information including questions to ask to keep your home safe to how much to budget as well as how to find the right electrician for you.

Managing money and getting off on the right foot with your electrician

When choosing an Electrician try to get 3 comparison quotes so you have a feel for the value of service and what is being offered at what price. Ask if your Electrician is vat registered so you aware if you need to still factor in extra on top of the quoted price. Insist on being given a ‘written quote’ to avoid disputes over payment and job expectations at the end of the project. If they have arrived for a small repair job, now that everyone has smart phones, ask them to email you the quote in writing before commencing so you have the figure on record. Discuss payment terms for larger projects and discuss what forms of payment the electrician will accept.

When receiving a quote, discuss if the quote includes materials or what materials you still need to purchase. Certain items for jobs like installing a British General fuse board, switching a Schneider circuit breaker, rewiring and replacing old wires using a Wago lever connector even replacing a sensor light switch… are products the electrician will often source or have onboard in their van.

The more luxury products, like installing a Mira electric shower, a Flowmasta electric towel rail or LED downlights the electrician will probably ask you to provide as these are all down to personal preference.

It is far more important choosing a skilled electrician than most trades as faulty wiring could burn your house down and puts your life at risk, so don’t take choosing an electrician lightly. Ask the electrician how many years they’ve been in the business and ask what their qualifications are. In the UK an electrician must have a level 3 of the industry-recognised qualifications, which could be; Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance), Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems & Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment) or Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures) if part of an apprenticeship.

You want to choose an electrician with good practical skills and feel secure in the knowledge that the electrician will be able to follow and understand any wiring diagrams, building plans or blueprints of your home. If you not comfortable with strangers in your home, ask the electrician if he works aside an apprentice and how much of a leading role the apprentice will take. If you live in a city or built up area where parking is a challenge, check how many vehicles during the time of your project will need close access to the property and organise accordingly.

Defining the quality and detail of the job

Before calling in your electrician to quote, have a good idea on the project at hand. How many new power sockets do you want fitted and in which rooms? Which appliances (dishwasher, microwave, toaster) need to be tested for safety? If it’s an emergency and you require an urgent call out because the mains have tripped or a loss of power make a mental note to tell the electrician what power sources you were using at the time – did the lights trip as you plugged in an appliance?
If you are looking to run electrics out to your shed or install a security light in your back garden, make sure there is plenty of access to the garden from the house for the electrician to come into your home and carry his tools through. Ask if fitting a smoke detector or replacing a light dimmer switch would require any loft access and make sure that you have a clear path of access in the loft. Most electricians travel with their own ladders so don’t worry if you don’t have a loft ladder but perhaps mention that, so they arrive prepared.

Rough guide for how much basic electrical work in your home costs;

Rates for other trades