How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Electrician

Homeowners are often inclined to take on repair demands of their own homes to save on money. However, home electrical repairs must be left to professional electricians. The lack of proper knowledge when handling electrical jobs may lead to poor electrical safety. By hiring a professional, you are not only investing in safe electrical work around your house but also on peace of mind and assurance. 

This article discusses the basics of hiring a professional electrician, such as its cost, it’s logistics and other tips that come with it. 

Contents

How to hire an electrician 

There are various methods that you can undertake to hire an electrician. 

  1. Find someone in your area 

Different areas work with varying systems of wiring and building regulations. In the UK, Part P building regulations are enforced. 

The most logical way of looking for a licensed electrician is to find one nearby. Before searching in the outside world, utilize your internet connection by searching your local directories for professionals. You may use our electrician contact form to search for a licensed electrician. 

Part P-registered firms have a collection of licensed electricians that are trained to a national standard. Specialised equipment and professional working ethics are to be expected from Part-P-registered electricians.

  1. Check reviews or feedback 

The next method that you can employ is to check the reviews of previous clients. The job listings of these electricians/firms will reveal to you the quality of their service by browsing through the review section. Maximise the potential of reviews to narrow down your search from a wide lot. 

It is not only through the internet that you can rely on reviews for your selection process. You may also ask your social circle about their experiences from previous electricians who handled electrical work around their homes. This referral process is more reliable, as your friends’ opinions are more trustworthy than an internet stranger’s. 

  1. Check for credentials 

A confident and professional electrician will not think twice in showing his credentials. These credentials will often be his valid license and insurance. It is best to find a reputable electrician whose background is thoroughly checked and reliable. Be vigilant from those posing as professionals and forging identities and licenses. 

How much does it cost to hire an electrician per hour? 

In the UK, professional electricians are mostly paid by the hour. The national range for a licensed electrician’s hourly rate is at: 

  • £50 to £120, according to Bidvine, with an average of £65
  • MyBuilder UK, on the other hand, puts the national average at £40. 

This is only a range, and various factors, determine the price such as:

  • Electrical credentials and level of professionality
  • The demand for the work at hand
  • The location where you live. The number tends to be higher in London and South East UK (such as East Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, etc.) 

Additional charges that are caused by the job nature are also included. 

However, electricians may choose to be paid at a fixed rate for a whole job, depending on their preferences. 

What should I look for when hiring an electrician? 

Here are the following qualities that you should be looking for in your professional electrician:

  • Clear understanding of the job at hand and is experienced with electrical demands. 
  • Willing to work with you to fix the problem. 
  • Reliable background with no criminal record. You are hiring someone to enter your home, and so it is always best to hire for safety aside from experience. 
  • Electrical license and have proper insurance. 
  • Positive reviews 
  • Warranty on products and guarantee on work. This is to ensure that you won’t be paying for follow up repairs if the electrical job is not completed after the service. 

Get different quotes from different electricians

With every job search that you engage with, it is never advisable to only approach one professional. That goes with electrical job demands as well. 

Quotes can be given on the phone without a survey, if the electrical job at hand is not too demanding. It is best to have at least three quotes from three different professionals, before deciding to make your choice. 

Keep in mind that professionals will be more inclined to give lower quotes as compared to the actual rates that they would be charging you. This is simply a marketing tactic. 

Tips in hiring an electrician

Here are some additional questions that you should ask when hiring a professional electrician. These questions are best asked in an honest and polite manner: 

  • Who will actually do the job? — a master electrician will usually be the one to quote, communicate or do the bidding, but they usually send an apprentice to do the actual job 
  • Is your work warrantied to insured? 
  • Are you usually on time with your work engagements? 

After narrowing down your search, you can make a selection by comparing amongst your choices based on the following criteria: 

  • Cost 
  • Travel charges 
  • Personality of the electrician 
  • Experience and credentials of the electrician 
  • Availability of warranty and insurance
  • Your priorities for the electrical work, such as: emergency and time, and how the electrician can meet these demands 

You are now equipped with the right information about the basics of hiring a professional electrician, from the costs, down to the questions that should be asked to your electrician candidates. Remember to select according to the demand of the job hand, and always choose for the safety of your home.

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