Electrical Contractors in the UK
A qualified electrical contractor is essential for solar panel installations, EV charger fitting, consumer unit upgrades, and home rewiring. In the UK, all notifiable electrical work must be carried out or supervised by a Part P compliant, NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrical contractor to comply with BS 7671 (the 18th Edition wiring regulations).
Typical rates for electricians in the UK range from £40–£70 per hour, with most solar and EV-related jobs costing £200–£2,000 depending on scope. Always ensure your electrician is registered with NICEIC or NAPIT and carries appropriate insurance.
Last updated March 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Electrical contractors in the UK charge £40–£70/hour. All notifiable electrical work must be done by a Part P compliant contractor registered with NICEIC or NAPIT. For solar panel installations, your solar installer typically handles electrical work. For standalone jobs like consumer unit upgrades (£350–£700) or EV charger installation (£200–£500), hire a registered electrician directly.
What do electrical contractors do?
Electrical contractors handle all aspects of electrical installation, maintenance, and testing in residential and commercial properties. For homeowners investing in renewable energy, electricians are involved in nearly every upgrade:
Solar PV installations
AC wiring, inverter connection, consumer unit upgrades, and grid connection for solar panel systems.
EV charger installation
Dedicated EV charging circuits, wallbox installation, and consumer unit upgrades for home chargers.
Consumer unit upgrades
Replacing old fuse boards with modern consumer units with RCDs and MCBs for safety.
Home rewiring
Full or partial rewiring of older properties to meet current wiring standards (BS 7671).
Battery storage systems
Wiring and commissioning home battery systems alongside solar PV installations.
Testing & certification
Periodic inspection and testing, electrical installation certificates, and electrical safety reports.
Certifications and regulations
In the UK, electrical work is regulated to ensure safety. All domestic electrical work that is “notifiable” (new circuits, consumer unit changes, etc.) must be done by a registered competent person or signed off by Building Control.
| Certification | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Part P (Building Regulations) | The section of Building Regulations covering electrical safety in dwellings — regulated by local Building Control | Legally required for all notifiable electrical work in the UK |
| NICEIC | National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting — a leading competent person scheme | Validates competence, allows self-certification of notifiable work |
| NAPIT | National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers — another approved competent person scheme | Validates competence, allows self-certification of notifiable work |
| MCS Certified | Listed on the MCS register of certified installers for renewable energy work | Required for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments and government-backed incentives |
| BS 7671 (18th Edition) | The UK's national standard for electrical installations (IET Wiring Regulations) | All new and modified electrical installations must comply |
Electrical installation certificates
After completing notifiable electrical work, a registered contractor must issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC). These certificates confirm the work complies with BS 7671 wiring regulations and is safe. You need these certificates for MCS-related claims, insurance purposes, and when selling your home. Always request your certificate and keep it safe.
Electrical contractor costs in the UK
Electrician rates in the UK vary by region and job complexity. London and the South East tend to be at the higher end.
| Job | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate (electrician) | £40–£70/hr |
| Call-out fee | £50–£100 |
| Consumer unit upgrade | £350–£700 |
| EV charger installation | £250–£500 (labour) |
| Solar PV electrical work (AC side) | £400–£1,200 |
| Battery storage wiring | £250–£700 |
| Full house rewire (3-bed semi) | £3,500–£6,500 |
| Partial rewire / circuit addition | £400–£1,500 |
| Periodic inspection & testing (EICR) | £120–£250 |
| Three-phase supply upgrade | £1,200–£2,500 |
Prices include VAT at 20%. Materials are additional unless otherwise stated. Always get written quotes before work begins.
Electrical work for solar panel installations
Solar PV installations require significant electrical work beyond just mounting panels on the roof. A qualified electrician handles:
- Consumer unit assessment — checking if the existing consumer unit can accommodate the solar circuit
- AC wiring from the inverter to the consumer unit
- Inverter installation and connection (typically beside the consumer unit)
- Generation meter installation for tracking solar output
- Export meter setup for Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments
- Earthing and bonding of the solar array
- G98/G99 compliance for grid connection (required by your DNO)
- Testing, commissioning, and issuing an electrical installation certificate
Most solar installation companies include the electrical work in their quote. However, some use subcontracted electricians. Either way, ensure the electrician is NICEIC or NAPIT registered and provides an electrical installation certificate. See our solar installation guide for the full process.
Get quotes from certified installers
Compare quotes from MCS-certified contractors for solar, EV chargers, and electrical upgrades.
Get a Quote ↓Electrical work for EV charger installation
Installing a home EV charger requires a dedicated 32A circuit from your consumer unit to the charging point. This is notifiable electrical work that must be done by a Part P compliant, NICEIC or NAPIT registered contractor.
Standard installation
- Dedicated 32A circuit from consumer unit
- 6mm² or 10mm² cable (depending on length)
- Type A or Type B RCD protection
- Cable run up to 15 metres from consumer unit
- Electrical installation certificate issued
When extra work is needed
- Consumer unit upgrade (if no spare ways)
- Longer cable runs (>15m require heavier cable)
- External earthing upgrades
- Three-phase connection (for 11–22 kW chargers)
- Load management devices (to prevent overload)
See our EV charger guide for full installation details and OZEV grant information.
How to choose an electrical contractor
Check NICEIC/NAPIT registration
Verify registration at niceic.com or napit.org.uk. Only registered competent persons can self-certify notifiable work under Part P.
Get multiple quotes
Compare at least 3 written quotes. Ensure they include materials, labour, VAT, and certification.
Check insurance
Ensure the contractor has public liability insurance (minimum £2M) and employer's liability if they have employees.
Ask about experience
For solar or EV work, choose an electrician with specific experience in renewable energy installations.
Check reviews
Look for Google reviews, Trustpilot ratings, and ask for references from recent similar projects.
MCS certification
For grant-eligible work (solar, EV chargers), confirm the contractor is on the MCS certified installers list.
Avoid unregistered electricians
Using an unregistered electrician for notifiable work is illegal and dangerous. You won't receive a valid electrical certificate, which means: no MCS eligibility, potential insurance issues, problems when selling your home, and safety risks. Always verify NICEIC or NAPIT registration before hiring.
Electrical Contractor FAQ
What is a Part P registered electrician?
A Part P registered electrician is a contractor registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT. They are qualified to carry out all electrical work and self-certify notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. This registration is legally required for new circuits, consumer unit changes, and other notifiable work in the UK.
Do I need a registered electrician for solar panels?
Yes. The electrical connection of solar panels to your home's grid is notifiable work that requires a Part P compliant, NICEIC or NAPIT registered contractor. They must issue an electrical installation certificate. This is also required for MCS certification and Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) eligibility.
How much does an electrician charge per hour in the UK?
Electricians in the UK typically charge £40–£70 per hour, with London rates at the higher end. Most jobs are quoted as fixed prices rather than hourly. A call-out fee of £50–£100 is common for smaller jobs.
What is an electrical installation certificate?
An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is an official document issued by a registered electrician after completing notifiable electrical work. It confirms the work meets BS 7671 (18th Edition) wiring standards and is safe. You need it for MCS certification, insurance claims, and house sales.
Do I need a consumer unit upgrade for solar panels?
It depends on the age and capacity of your existing consumer unit. Modern consumer units with spare ways can usually accommodate a solar circuit. Older fuse boards (pre-2000) may need upgrading (£350–£700) to add the required circuit breakers and RCD protection.
Can any electrician install an EV charger?
Only a Part P compliant electrician registered with NICEIC or NAPIT can legally install an EV charger in the UK, as it involves adding a new dedicated circuit (notifiable work). For the OZEV EV charger grant, the installer must also be an approved OZEV installer.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
A full rewire of a 3-bed semi-detached house takes 5–7 days. This includes replacing all cables, installing a new consumer unit, and fitting new sockets and switches. Partial rewires (e.g., one floor) take 2–3 days.
How do I find a registered electrician near me?
Use the NICEIC website (niceic.com) or NAPIT website (napit.org.uk) to search for registered contractors by postcode. For solar and EV charger work, also check the MCS certified installers list at mcscertified.com. Getting quotes through a trusted platform like SolarInfo ensures you're connected with verified, qualified contractors.
Related Guides
Sources
- NICEIC: Find a Registered Contractor
- NAPIT: Competent Person Scheme
- Ofgem: Energy Regulation
- MCS: Certified Installers
- IET: BS 7671 Wiring Regulations (18th Edition)
Last updated: March 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official MCS and Ofgem data and maintains relationships with MCS-certified installers across the UK.
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