How Much Does The Electrician Charge Per Point?
Can you fit power points yourself and save some cash? Can you use a handyman to fit a new power point in your kitchen?
DIY enthusiasts can install a new socket in their homes as long as they follow the guidelines and regulations of BS7671 and the building regulations, which govern the rules and regulations of electrical circuits in their homes. However, you can’t fit a socket in a kitchen as considered part P.
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What is an electrical power point?
A power point is a wall socket where you may plug in a kettle or an appliance. It is where homeowners can plug in their electronics and electrical gadgets.
How much do UK electricians charge?
Not as much as you would think. Electricians have gotten a bad wrap for some reason. It’s probably more to do with the cowboy builder than the electrician’s fault.
Electrician rates across the country vary from area to area. If you live in London, you will pay more for an electrician than if you live in Newcastle.
Even the smallest of jobs most electricians will do for their customers.
Below is a snapshot of electrician charges:
| Location in the UK | Hourly Rate | Daily Rate |
| Electrician near Birmingham | £31 | £220 |
| Electrician near Blackburn | £32 | £224 |
| Electrician near Blackpool | £30 | £222 |
| Electrician near Bolton | £32 | £221 |
| Electrician near Bournemouth | £32 | £235 |
| Electrician near Bracknell Forest | £42 | £267 |
| Electrician near Bradford | £33 | £229 |
| Electrician near Braintree | £37 | £244 |
| Electrician near Breckland | £31 | £240 |
You would have to agree their charges are affordable. Keep in mind the charges are for labour only, and electrical parts can be expensive, so you need to factor this into your calculations.
How much does an electrician charge per point?
It’s not a straightforward answer. Because if it is to replace a power point with like for like, the electrician will charge you for an hour’s labour plus the very fair parts.
If the electrician fits a power point in a new location, the charges will be higher. The electrician may have to chase walling out, and he may need to add a box next to your consumer unit if there is room in your existing consumer unit.
So depending on the complexity of the job will affect how many hours you will be charged.
You can negotiate a rate for the job irrespective of the number of hours it takes the electrician to complete.
Alike for like swap is going to cost labour only plus the VAT if the electrician is VAT registered.
Can You fit a socket?
Yes and no. If the power point is a like for like swap, then turn the power off at the consumer board and do the job yourself. It’s easy.
If you extend the circuit to fit a socket, you need an electrician. Extending circuits is covered under part P of the building regulations and is deemed a notifiable job.
If you continue and extend the circuit to fit a power point, you are contravening the regulations that could result in criminal prosecution.
What does part P indicate?
Part Plays down the rules for the electrical installation in your home. It states that reasonable provision shall be made to design and install electrical circuits to protect the homeowners from electrocution and injury from electrical incidents.
In a nutshell, the design of the electrical installations must be safe! Part P of the Building Regulations applies to fixed electrical installations in dwellings (including gardens and shared amenities in blocks of flats and any building that shares its electricity supply with a dwelling).
Much of the work of an electrician falls under part P, which is work that is notifiable to the local building control department.
What are the different types of power points?
Not all power points are the same. Here is a selection that you will find in your home.
- Single power outlets are often found in bedrooms for bedside cabinets. Single power outlets are becoming less common
- Dual power outlets.
- Double with switch outlets are the most commonly used power outlets in UK homes.
- Double switch power outlet with a built-in USB charger for phone charging.
- Weatherproof outlet for use outdoors, such as in the garden.
All UK power outlets are 3 pin plug types, so foreign visitors will need an adaptor and a converter if their gadgets run on less than 230 volts AC.
Where should electrical outlets be placed in a new home in the UK?
You will need a couple of low-level power outlets and sufficient outlets at the kitchen work surface height for other rooms like the kitchen. It’s normal to allow for double sockets in each room corner. This works especially well in the living and dining rooms.
For bedrooms, it’s normal to place power outlets by the door and close to the bed’s headboard. If you have a dressing table, it’s great to have a convenient power outlet for a hairdryer or tongs.
If you have your home rewired, you can specify where the power outlets are needed with your electrician.
Where do you put power points in the bathroom?
Most Uk bathrooms only have a shaver outlet which must be 3 meters from the bath, but with recent changes to the 18th Edition BS7671 big brown book, you can now use a power outlet within 2.5 meters from the bath or shower.
Power outlets are typically placed next to a mirror for apparent reasons like blow-drying your hair.
The changes will come into full effect in September 2022.
Is it legal to have a light switch in a bathroom?
Not in the UK. Water on hands could ingress the light switch and cause electrocution.
All UK bathrooms and toilets use pull cord light switches for safety.
