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 home and the job.
| 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 most common reason a commercial job comes in over budget.
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.
Worth knowing
Portable appliance testing is not a legal requirement and never has been. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require equipment to be maintained so it does not cause danger, and say nothing about how that is done or how often.
HSE guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Who quotes for it
756 of the 10,262 electricians listed on this site take on commercial electrical.
The towns with the most: Nottingham (7), Manchester (6), Bournemouth (6), Grimsby (6), Bristol (6).
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, but 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.