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01 · Ask
Spot the warning signs
Buzzing fuse box, hot sockets, lights flickering when you boil the kettle. Describe it in plain English — the AI tells you if it's a 30-min fix or a rewire.
Fit a light switch.
Standard plate, dimmer or smart switch — LED-compatible, tested across the full circuit, by an electrician.
✓ Updated May 2026✓ Free quotes✓ Vetted pros
20,000+UK homeowners
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Hire an electrician. Without the rewire surprise.
From a single dodgy socket to a full rewire — read the brief, then let Three local electricians quote.
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02 · Read the brief
Walk in informed
Part P, EIC vs EICR, C1/C2/C3 ratings, when Building Control gets involved. Know the lingo before the quote arrives.
60 seconds
03 · Compare
Compare 3 electrician quotes
Up to Three local electricians come back with itemised quotes — call-out, materials, labour, certificate fee. No flat-rate guesses.
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Get electrician quotes Ready when you are
Enter your postcode and get free quotes from local pros.
Top tips
Hiring a electrician, without the regret.
Four moves that separate a smooth job from a nightmare.
Check NICEIC or NAPIT registration.
Part P electrical work must be certified by a registered electrician. NICEIC and NAPIT are the two big ones — verify online before they start.
Demand the EIC certificate.
Any new circuit or consumer unit change needs an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). Without it, you can't sell the house cleanly.
Get the EICR before buying.
An Electrical Installation Condition Report on a house you're buying flags hidden rewire jobs. A C1 or C2 finding is a £2k–£8k negotiation lever.
Don't accept a quote without a survey.
Honest electricians lift a few floorboards before quoting a rewire. Anyone quoting a flat rate over the phone is guessing.
Costs & timeline
Know what it costs. Know when it ends.
Indicative UK ranges and what affects price.
Cost range
By job type
Inc. VAT · 2026
Source: NMT quotes
Source: NMT quotes
Hourly call-out rate
£50–£100/hr
Day rate
£250–£450/day
New socket or light fitting
£80–£200
Consumer unit upgradeInc. RCDs + cert
£600–£1.5k
EICR full report3-bed house
£150–£400
Full house rewire3-bed, plaster making-good extra
£3.5k–£8.5k
!
Quote spread is typically ± 18% — always get 3 quotes.
At a glance
Infographic · VideoThe Electrician briefing.
Infographic
Electrician quick-view
Video guide
Electrician explained
Swapping a light switch looks like a screwdriver job — but LED loads, two-way wiring and intermediate circuits make it a job worth paying an electrician 30 minutes for. They'll also leave you a minor-works certificate.
What's involved
- Isolate at consumer unit, test dead
- Remove old plate, transfer terminals to new switch
- Check earthing and back-box capacity (smart dimmers need depth)
- Test through full circuit (one-way / two-way / intermediate)
Typical UK costs (2026)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard one-way swap | £35–£70 |
| Dimmer swap (LED-compatible) | £55–£90 |
| Smart switch / dimmer (Lutron, Shelly) | £75–£140 |
| Per visit (multiple switches) | £85–£180 |
What to check
LED-compatible dimmers cost a few pounds more but stop flicker. Smart switches usually need a neutral wire — older UK lighting circuits often only have line + switched-line, which limits options.
This guide was written with AI assistance and is intended for general information only. Prices are estimates based on UK averages and may vary by region. Always get at least three quotes and consult a qualified professional before starting any work.
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