Cost guide
How much does commercial electrical cost?
Hourly rates run £45 to £80 and project work is priced per job. The two lines that move a commercial quote most are the working window and whether certification and records are included.
Typical prices
Ranges, not quotes. A quote depends on your room.
| Work | Typical UK price |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate, working hours | £45 to £80 |
| Hourly rate, out of hours | £70 to £130 |
| Small works call off, day rate | £280 to £480 |
| Periodic inspection, single distribution board | £300 to £600 |
| Emergency lighting annual duration test, small premises | £120 to £300 |
| Office fit out, per square metre | £35 to £90 |
Agree the working window before the quote, not after. On a trading premises it moves the labour cost more than any other single variable, and it is the commonest reason a commercial job comes in over.
What moves the price
- Working hours. Nights, Sundays and bank holidays carry a premium, and on a trading premises they are often unavoidable.
- Whether the price includes certification, log book entries and the site file, or only the installation.
- Access and containment. Trunking, tray and conduit in a commercial ceiling is a trade in itself.
- Distribution. How many boards, how many ways, and whether three phase is involved.
- Response time, where a call off arrangement guarantees one.
- Scope of any periodic inspection: number of circuits tested rather than sampled.
Who quotes for it
12 of the 133 electricians listed on this site take on commercial electrical.
Most of them in one place: St Helens (3), Shrewsbury (2), Leeds (2), Sheffield (2), Manchester (1).
Questions about commercial electrical
What is a call off arrangement?
An agreed rate and response time for small works as they arise, so each job does not need quoting. It suits a site with a steady trickle of faults and it is cheaper per job than calling somebody out cold.
Do I need a different electrician from my domestic one?
Not necessarily, and the scheme registration differs: a domestic installer registration is not a commercial contractor registration. Ask which one they hold and whether it covers the work.