The power's gone off, or the fuse box keeps tripping, and you need an electrician now. The question everyone asks next: how much will it cost? Here's a clear answer, and what to check before you book anyone.
Our emergency electrician prices
Our callout covers travel, finding the fault and the first hour on site. After that, we charge in 30-minute blocks. Parts are priced on your quote before any work starts.
Daytime, 7am to 6pm every day
Then £60 per additional 30 minutes.
Evenings, 6pm to midnight
Then £79 per additional 30 minutes.
Nights, midnight to 7am, and bank holidays
Then £99 per additional 30 minutes.
One price, nothing added on top: travel, parking, congestion charge, ULEZ and VAT are all included.
What affects the cost
- The time. Nights, weekends and bank holidays cost more because electricians are working unsocial hours.
- Finding the fault. A tripping circuit can be one faulty appliance (quick) or a damaged cable in a wall (longer to trace).
- Parts. A new socket or switch is inexpensive. A new consumer unit is a bigger job, which we'd quote for separately.
- Making it safe vs a full repair. At night we can make it safe and come back for a permanent repair at the daytime rate.
Is it really an emergency?
Call straight away if you smell burning, see scorch marks, hear buzzing from the fuse box, have water near electrics, or have no power and someone vulnerable at home. Some problems can wait until the morning, which costs less:
- If one circuit has tripped and everything else works, try our tripping fuse box checks first.
- If the whole street is dark, it's a power cut. Call 105, the free number for your network operator. You don't need an electrician.
Five questions to ask before you book
- What does the callout include, and is VAT included?
- How is extra time charged?
- Will I get a price before work starts?
- Are there extra charges for parking or congestion?
- Is the electrician qualified and registered for the work?
With us: the callout is shown above, there are no extras, you always get a fixed price first, and if you say no you only pay the callout. See also what an emergency plumber costs.
Common questions
How much is an emergency electrician callout in London?
Our callout is £149 in the daytime, £195 in the evening and £245 at night, including the first hour, travel, parking and VAT.
Do emergency electricians charge more at night?
Yes, most do, because they're working unsocial hours. Our night rate applies from midnight to 7am and on bank holidays.
Can a power problem wait until the morning?
If only one circuit is off and nothing smells of burning, it often can. Burning smells, buzzing or water near electrics can't wait.