Don't hire a cowboy

Some electricians may not like us for this, but we think you ought to know the tricks that some in the trade will use to get you to pay more than you need.


+ Charging

"Buy cheap and you'll pay twice". Remember that old saying when you hire an electrician. Some operators will try to attract customers with an hourly rate that looks too good to be true. But be careful. If they turn up at all, they may rush the work in order to get to the next customer. Try getting them back to fix a poor job and see how far you get! Alternatively, once you've been hooked in by the low price, some operators may tell you that you need more work than is really necessary (see the "Selling on" section below). The hours add up and make more money for them.

At the other end of the scale, you'll get the outfits that charge exorbitant hourly rates. Often you'll just be paying for a brand or franchised name - and they'll be laughing all the way to the bank. In some cases, these companies claim NICEIC accreditation with the “Domestic Installer” logo. Again, be careful. The Domestic Installer designation was originally intended to show that tradesmen such as plumbers and kitchen fitters were competent to carry out minor electrical works related to their main business. Larger electrical companies with a genuine concern for high standards tend to favour the NICEIC’s stringent Approved Contractor status.

So what's a reasonable hourly rate? Good electricians are not cheap: its a skilled trade and there will be a shortage of qualified people in London for at least the next five years. We think the following prices are fair for a reputable organisation with full NICEIC Approved Contractor status. For small jobs of up to 10 hours work, reckon on an hourly rate of £55-£70 during normal working hours, rising to £75-£90 evenings and weekends. These rates will exclude VAT.

Hourly rates for longer jobs, particularly projects that could run into weeks, should be lower. The rate you are quoted will depend on the nature of the work, so its impossible to give reliable ballpark figures.


+ "Selling on"

They start work, and suddenly the problems start. They suggest more and more improvements, and find problem after problem. The costs soon rack up until they're way above the original estimate.

A reputable electrician should prepare you a detailed itemised quote before starting work. They won't just give you a ballpark figure. They'll discuss details with you in advance so that you can choose what to put in, and whether you need to take anything out. Some electricians will charge for a detailed quote because of the time and effort involved, but this is not necessarily a bad sign.

All electricians - including us - have come across hidden problems that could not have been foreseen when work started. In this case, they should be able to tell you exactly what they have found and explain it to you, and ask your permission before starting extra work. If there is anything in an explanation that doesn't make sense, don't hesitate to get a second opinion from an approved electrician; a reputable electrician won't mind.


+ Shoddy work

If you're not an electrician yourself, how can you judge the work that's being done in your home? Before you hire an electrician ask whether they are approved under "Part P" legislation (we explain all about it here). This means that their work is inspected regularly and found to meet high standards. It also means they can self-certificate the standards of their own work. This leaves an official "paper-trail" which means that specific jobs can be traced directly to the electrician who did them. Insist on getting your copy of the certificate before paying off the final instalment for the work. This also applies to kitchen fitters or other contractors that need to work with your electrics as part of other work.