Electrician costs in Wales 2026
Day rates and hourly rates
Electrician rates in Wales vary by location and qualification:
| Area | Hourly rate | Day rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff | £55–90/hr | £260–420/day |
| Swansea | £50–80/hr | £240–380/day |
| Newport | £50–80/hr | £240–380/day |
| Valleys (Merthyr, Rhondda) | £45–70/hr | £210–330/day |
| North Wales (Wrexham, Bangor) | £45–75/hr | £210–350/day |
| Rural mid-Wales | £40–65/hr | £190–310/day |
Most electricians charge a minimum call-out (typically 1–2 hours) for small jobs.
Common job costs
| Job | Typical cost (Wales) |
|---|---|
| Add single socket | £70–120 |
| Add double socket | £80–140 |
| Replace consumer unit (fuse box) | £450–850 |
| Install outdoor socket | £120–200 |
| Fit outdoor security light | £90–180 |
| Install LED downlights (per light) | £50–90 |
| Rewire room | £400–800 |
| Full house rewire (3-bed) | £3,500–7,000 |
| Install EV charger | £700–1,200 |
| Install underfloor heating (electric) | £800–2,000 per room |
| Fit shaver socket | £80–140 |
| EICR (3-bed house) | £180–300 |
| Add new circuit | £250–450 |
| Install extractor fan | £100–200 |
Consumer unit (fuse box) costs
Consumer unit replacement is one of the most common electrical jobs in Wales. Old units with rewireable fuses (often found in pre-1970s properties) are a safety risk and will fail EICR inspection.
| Type | Supply and fit cost |
|---|---|
| Standard RCD protected unit (8-12 way) | £400–600 |
| RCBO protected unit (individual protection) | £550–850 |
| Split load board (dual RCD) | £450–700 |
| Smart consumer unit | £700–1,100 |
Prices include the unit, installation, labelling, and Building Control notification (if via competent person scheme). Add £200–400 for replacing the meter tails simultaneously (often needed in older properties).
EICR costs
| Property | EICR cost (Wales) |
|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | £100–180 |
| 2-bed house | £140–250 |
| 3-bed house | £180–300 |
| 4+ bed house | £220–380 |
Landlords require 5-yearly EICRs in Wales. Book through an NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA registered electrician to get a valid certificate for compliance purposes.
What affects electrician costs?
Age of property, older wiring (pre-1980 rubber-insulated cable, pre-1965 lead-sheathed cable) adds complexity and time, increasing costs.
Emergency rates, out-of-hours call-outs typically add 50–100% to standard rates. For emergencies, try to describe the problem clearly, some issues (like a tripped RCD) can be resolved over the phone.
Material costs, Cable, consumer units, and accessories vary in price. Ask whether the quote includes materials or if you're being charged for time plus materials separately.
Location, Cardiff and Swansea rates run 10–20% above Valleys and North Wales rates for equivalent work.
NICEIC/NAPIT registration, registered electricians can self-certify notifiable work, which saves you the cost (£200–400) of a separate Building Control inspection.