Cost Guide

Commercial Electrician Rates

Commercial electrician rates in the UK range from £200 for minor works to £5,000 or more for major installations, with hourly rates typically between £45 and £85 depending on the complexity, location, and whether out-of-hours work is required.

Average cost: £200–£5000

Cost Breakdown

Item	Min	Max	Note
Hourly rate (standard)	£45	£65	Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm; most routine commercial electrical work
Hourly rate (out-of-hours)	£65	£100	Evenings, weekends, and bank holidays; often required to avoid business disruption
Office rewire per m²	£40	£80	Includes trunking, containment, power, and data cabling
3-phase installation	£800	£3000	New 3-phase supply or distribution board for commercial/industrial loads
Commercial EICR	£200	£600	Electrical Installation Condition Report; depends on number of circuits
Emergency lighting installation	£150	£500	Per floor; includes maintained or non-maintained fittings and testing
Fire alarm system	£500	£3000	Supply and install; depends on building size, number of zones, and system grade

What's Included

Site survey and detailed quotation including electrical design drawings where required
All materials, containment (trunking, conduit, cable tray), and fittings specified in the quote
Installation carried out by qualified commercial electricians to BS 7671 (18th Edition) and relevant commercial standards
Testing, commissioning, and full documentation including Electrical Installation Certificates and test schedules
Minor Works Certificates or Building Regulations compliance notifications as applicable
Post-installation walkthrough and handover of operation and maintenance documentation

Factors Affecting Cost

Building size and complexity: A small retail unit with a single consumer unit is far simpler than a multi-floor office block with separate distribution boards, risers, and sub-mains on each level.
Working hours restrictions: Many commercial premises can only have electrical work done outside business hours to avoid disruption. Out-of-hours rates are typically 30-50% higher than standard daytime rates.
Compliance requirements: Commercial properties must meet Part B (fire safety), Part P (electrical safety), and often industry-specific regulations. Additional certification, fire stopping, and testing add to costs.
Type of business: Restaurants, factories, and medical facilities have specific electrical requirements (extraction, 3-phase machinery, UPS systems) that add complexity beyond standard office fit-outs.
Containment and trunking: Commercial installations require proper cable management using trunking, conduit, or cable tray. The cost of containment materials and the labour to install them can be significant.
Existing installation condition: Working with an older installation that needs upgrading to current standards costs more than fitting out a new shell. Asbestos in older buildings may require specialist removal before electrical work can proceed.
Location and access: Central London and major city centre locations command premium rates due to higher overheads, parking costs, and logistics of getting materials into the building.

How Long Does It Take?

Timescales for commercial electrical work vary enormously. A simple task like adding a few sockets or replacing a distribution board might take a day or two. A full office fit-out for a 200 m² space, including power, lighting, data, and fire alarm, typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on coordination with other trades. A complete commercial rewire of a multi-storey building can take several months. Emergency lighting and fire alarm installations for a small to medium building usually take 3-5 days. Most commercial electricians will provide a project timeline at the quotation stage, and the work is often scheduled around business operations to minimise disruption.

Do I Need This?

If you are a business owner, landlord, or facilities manager responsible for a commercial property, you have a legal obligation to ensure the electrical installation is safe and properly maintained. Commercial EICRs are required at regular intervals (typically every 5 years, or 3 years for certain types of premises). If you are fitting out a new office, shop, restaurant, or industrial unit, all electrical work must be designed and installed by a qualified commercial electrician and certified to BS 7671. Emergency lighting and fire alarm systems are legal requirements in virtually all commercial premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Even routine tasks like adding circuits, upgrading lighting to LED, or installing EV chargers in a car park require a commercial electrician who understands the regulations and can provide the necessary certification.

How to Save Money

Schedule non-urgent work during standard weekday hours to avoid out-of-hours premiums. If weekend or evening work is unavoidable, batch multiple tasks into a single visit to make the most of the premium-rate time.

Get a fixed-price quote for defined scopes of work rather than agreeing to day rates. This protects you from cost overruns and gives the electrician an incentive to work efficiently.

Bundle related work together. If you need an EICR, emergency lighting testing, and some additional sockets, having the same electrician do everything in one mobilisation saves on callout and setup time.

Consider LED lighting upgrades as part of any refurbishment. While there is an upfront cost, modern LED panels and fittings use 50-70% less energy than fluorescent equivalents and can significantly reduce your electricity bills and maintenance costs.

For larger projects, obtain at least three detailed quotes from NICEIC or NAPIT-registered commercial electricians. Compare not just price but also scope, timeline, and what certifications are included.

Average Cost Summary

£200–£5000

Typical price range for commercial electrician rates in the UK. Prices may vary based on your location, property type, and specific requirements.

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Related Cost Guides

EICR Cost

An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) costs between £100 and £300+ in the UK depending on the size and age of your property. A 1-bed flat starts at around £100, a typical 3-bed house costs £150–£250, and larger or older properties can exceed £300. Landlords are legally required to have an EICR every 5 years — homeowners should get one every 10 years or before buying or selling.

£100–£300

Emergency Electrician Cost

An emergency electrician call-out in the UK typically costs between £100 and £350, depending on the time of day, the nature of the fault, and whether parts are needed to complete the repair.

£100–£350

Lighting Installation Cost

Lighting installation costs in the UK typically range from £100 to £500, covering everything from replacing a single light fitting to installing new downlights or a full LED conversion across your home.

£100–£500

Sources & References

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a commercial and domestic electrician?

Commercial electricians are qualified to work on larger, more complex installations including 3-phase supplies, commercial distribution systems, fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, and structured data cabling. They are familiar with the additional regulations that apply to commercial premises, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order, Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, and sector-specific standards. While a domestic electrician may hold the same core qualifications (18th Edition, 2391), commercial electricians have additional training and experience in industrial and commercial environments.

How often does a commercial property need an EICR?

The recommended frequency depends on the type of premises. Offices, shops, and most commercial properties should have an EICR every 5 years. Restaurants, takeaways, and food premises every 3 years. Industrial premises and places of entertainment every 3 years. Swimming pools and caravan parks every 1 year. Your insurer may also require regular EICRs as a condition of your policy. If the previous EICR flagged any C2 (potentially dangerous) or C3 (improvement recommended) observations, more frequent testing may be advisable.

Do I need 3-phase power for my commercial property?

Most small offices, shops, and restaurants can operate on a single-phase supply. However, you will need a 3-phase supply if you are running heavy machinery, commercial kitchen equipment (large ovens, walk-in refrigeration), extensive air conditioning, or if your total electrical load exceeds approximately 15-20 kW. Your electrician can carry out a load assessment to determine whether your existing supply is adequate or whether an upgrade is needed. Applying to your distribution network operator (DNO) for a 3-phase supply typically costs £1,000-£3,000 depending on the distance from the nearest transformer.

What fire safety electrical systems are required in commercial premises?

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the responsible person for a commercial premises must ensure adequate fire detection, fire alarm systems, and emergency lighting. The specific requirements depend on your fire risk assessment, but most commercial premises need: a fire alarm system compliant with BS 5839, emergency escape lighting compliant with BS 5266, and periodic testing and maintenance of both systems. Failure to comply can result in enforcement notices, fines, or prosecution.

Can electrical work be done while the business is open?

Some work can be carried out during business hours with minimal disruption, such as installing additional sockets, replacing light fittings, or running new circuits through accessible ceiling voids. However, work that requires shutting down the main supply, working on the distribution board, or creating significant dust and noise is best scheduled outside trading hours. Your electrician should discuss the logistics and agree a schedule that minimises impact on your business operations.

What certifications should I receive after commercial electrical work?

You should receive Electrical Installation Certificates (EIC) for new installations, Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificates (MEIWC) for small additions, and an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) for periodic inspections. For fire alarm and emergency lighting work, you should receive commissioning certificates, test records, and an updated logbook. All certificates should be kept as part of your health and safety file and will be requested by your insurer, local authority, or fire service during inspections.

Is a PAT test the same as an EICR?

No, they are completely different. PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) checks individual portable appliances such as kettles, computers, and desk lamps. An EICR inspects the fixed electrical installation of the building, including the supply, distribution boards, wiring, sockets, and light fittings. Both are important for commercial premises. PAT testing is a simple, low-cost process (typically £1-£3 per item), while an EICR is a comprehensive inspection of the entire installation.

Do I need an electrician for LED lighting upgrades?

If you are simply replacing existing fluorescent tubes with LED retrofit tubes that use the same fitting, this can often be done without an electrician. However, if you are replacing entire fittings, installing new LED panels, adding dimming controls, or modifying circuits, this should be carried out by a qualified electrician. A proper LED upgrade in a commercial setting often involves bypassing the old fluorescent ballasts, which requires electrical knowledge and testing to ensure safety.

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