Electricians Cost in Southampton (2026)
Quick Answer
Estimated rangeIn Southampton, electricians commonly charge about £45 to £80 per hour, with call-out fees often around £50 to £120, depending on time of day and whether the work is urgent. Small jobs such as replacing sockets or light fittings are often roughly £70 to £180, while larger jobs like consumer unit replacements or full rewires can run from several hundred pounds into the low thousands. Exact pricing varies by access, testing requirements, and whether the electrician is registered to certify the work.
Overview
If you need an electrician in Southampton, the price usually depends on whether the job is a quick repair, planned installation, or notifiable electrical work that needs testing and certification. Southampton rates are typically in line with other South Coast urban areas: standard weekday labour is often charged by the hour for fault finding and minor jobs, while bigger works are usually quoted as a fixed project price after a visit. Emergency evening or weekend attendance usually costs more than routine weekday appointments. For household jobs, common examples include replacing sockets, installing light fittings, fitting extractor fans, consumer unit upgrades, Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), and partial or full rewires. Costs can rise if the electrician needs to trace faults, lift flooring, work in older properties, or arrange making-good after chasing walls. Materials are usually extra unless the quote clearly states they are included. In England, domestic electrical work does not require a homeowner to hire a specific named company, but work should comply with Building Regulations Part P. Many customers choose an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT because they can self-certify certain types of notifiable work. For finding vetted tradespeople, recognised directories and scheme registers are a sensible starting point.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Typical electrician labour rate(per hour) Estimated range based on typical market rates for domestic electricians in South East and South Coast urban areas, including Southampton. | ~£45 – £80 | Estimated range |
| Typical call-out fee(per visit) Estimated range based on common UK electrician call-out structures for routine daytime attendance; emergency evening/weekend rates are often higher. | ~£50 – £120 | Estimated range |
| Replace a socket or light fitting(per job) Estimated range for a straightforward small domestic job in Southampton, usually assuming existing wiring is usable and access is normal. | ~£70 – £180 | Estimated range |
| Consumer unit replacement(per job) Estimated range for a typical domestic fuse box to consumer unit upgrade including testing and certification, subject to property size and remedial work needed. | ~£450 – £900 | Estimated range |
| EICR for a typical home(per report) Estimated range for a domestic Electrical Installation Condition Report in Southampton; larger homes and more circuits usually cost more. | ~£150 – £300 | Estimated range |
| Full rewire(per property) Estimated range for a typical house or flat rewire in Southampton, varying significantly by property size, occupancy, finish level, and whether walls/floors need reinstatement. | ~£3,500 – £9,000 | Estimated range |
What’s Typically Included
- Labour for installation, repair, or fault finding
- Basic testing on the affected circuit where needed
- Certification for applicable electrical work if included in the quote
- Materials only if the quote expressly says so
Common Jobs & Typical Prices
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
| — | |
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Regulator / licensing: Part P of the Building Regulations in England; competent person schemes such as NICEIC and NAPIT
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Small repairs may take 1-2 hours; EICRs often take 2-4 hours for typical homes; consumer unit changes are often completed in a day; rewires can take several days to multiple weeks depending on property size and occupancy.
How Fees Work
Electricians in Southampton commonly charge either an hourly rate plus materials for small jobs and fault finding, or a fixed quotation for larger planned works. Call-out fees may include the first hour, but this varies by provider.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the job is routine, urgent, evening/weekend, or emergency call-out
- Property size, age, and ease of access to wiring, consumer unit, lofts, and floor voids
- Whether testing, certification, or Building Regulations notification is required
- Number of circuits, fittings, sockets, or accessories being installed or replaced
- Quality and quantity of materials, plus whether making-good or decorating is excluded
Local Context
Southampton pricing is usually similar to other Hampshire urban areas, though urgent attendance and parking/travel in busier districts can push quotes upward. VAT may or may not be included depending on whether the electrician is VAT-registered and how the quote is presented, so it is worth checking. Tipping is not customary in the UK for trade services, but some customers round up for excellent service.
These are data-informed estimate ranges, not confirmed prices.
Costs like this vary widely by job, location, timing and provider, so there is no single fixed price. The ranges here are based on typical market rates to give you a realistic ballpark. For an exact figure for your situation, get a quote or check the official source below.
All figures are in GBP and should be checked for VAT inclusion when comparing quotes.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- GOV.UK - Approved Document P: Electrical safety · government
Regulatory context for domestic electrical work in England under Building Regulations Part P.
- NAPIT - Find a tradesperson · official
Official directory for finding registered installers and competent persons.
- Competent Person Register · official
Official register to check installers registered with government-authorised schemes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electricians in Southampton charge a call-out fee?+
Often yes, especially for fault finding or urgent attendance. Some include the first hour of labour within the call-out fee, while others charge a separate attendance fee plus hourly labour.
Is an electrician registered with NICEIC or NAPIT necessary?+
It is not legally mandatory to use a specific brand of electrician, but the work must comply with the Building Regulations. Many customers prefer a registered competent person because they can self-certify certain notifiable domestic electrical work.
How much does an emergency electrician cost in Southampton?+
Emergency work usually costs more than routine daytime appointments. A realistic estimate is that out-of-hours rates can sit above normal hourly charges and may also carry a higher call-out fee, especially at night or on bank holidays.
Are materials included in the quoted price?+
Sometimes, but not always. Small jobs may be quoted as labour plus parts, while larger jobs often come as a fixed price including standard materials, testing, and certification.
How can I find vetted electricians in Southampton?+
A good starting point is the official registers and recognised directories run by competent person schemes or established trade platforms. Check whether the electrician is registered for domestic installer work and ask whether certification is included.
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Check current prices at the official source
GOV.UK - Approved Document P: Electrical safety
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