Emergency Electrician

Trade: Electrician

⭐ Introduction

An emergency electrician is a qualified tradesperson you call when you have an urgent electrical problem that needs immediate attention. Unlike routine electricians, emergency electricians are available outside of normal working hours — evenings, weekends, or even overnight — to respond quickly and safely.

You might need one if there’s a sudden electrical fault causing power loss, frequent circuit breaker trips, sparking sockets, exposed wires, or any risk of electrical fire or shock. Electrical emergencies can pose serious safety hazards, so getting rapid professional help minimises danger and reduces potential damage.

🔧 What the job involves

When an emergency electrician arrives, they will:

Quickly assess the situation to identify the cause of the problem.
Isolate power where needed to make the work safe.
Repair or replace faulty wiring, sockets, switches, or circuit breakers.
Test the system to ensure everything is safe and working correctly.
Advise if further work or upgrades are needed to meet current safety standards.
Provide certification where required, especially if work involves fixed installations.

They work in compliance with UK regulations such as Part P of the Building Regulations, ensuring all repairs and installations meet safety standards. For certain jobs, a qualified electrician must be registered with a competent person scheme (like NICEIC or ELECSA).

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

Make an enquiry: Call or contact an emergency electrician’s service. Provide details about the issue and your location.
Initial advice: The operator or electrician may offer immediate safety tips, such as turning off the mains supply.
Arrange a visit: An emergency electrician typically aims to be with you quickly — often within a few hours depending on your location.
On-site survey: The electrician inspects the problem, diagnoses the fault, and explains what needs doing.
Agree a quote: You receive an estimate for the repair or replacement work, including labour and parts.
Carry out work: Once agreed, the electrician fixes the issue right away whenever possible.
Testing and certification: The electrician checks the repaired work, ensuring safety and compliance. If applicable, you receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or similar documentation.
Advice on aftercare and warranty: The electrician explains any guarantees and what to monitor after the repair.
Final payment and paperwork: You settle the invoice and keep all paperwork safe for future reference.

💷 Main costs to expect

Labour: Emergency call-out fees plus hourly rate (often higher outside normal hours).
Materials/parts: Replacement wiring, sockets, switches, consumer units, or circuit breakers.
Extras: Travel charges, overtime premiums, or disposal fees for old components.
Certification: Cost for electrical safety tests or reports if required.
Urgency premium: Additional fees for rapid or out-of-hours response.

Example breakdown for a typical emergency socket replacement:

Call-out fee: £80–£150
Labour (1–2 hours): £50–£70 per hour
Parts (socket + wiring): £15–£40
Certification (optional): £40–£70
Total approximate cost: £195–£370

📊 What affects the price

Accessibility: If wiring or components are hard to reach (e.g. behind walls), labour increases.
Complexity: Faults involving consumer units (fuse boxes) or extensive rewiring cost more.
Regulations/certification: Work required to meet Building Regulations Part P or needing a formal report adds to cost.
Remedial work: If the job reveals other faults that must be fixed immediately.
Location: Urban areas may be more expensive due to demand and travel times.
Timeline: Emergency, out-of-hours or weekend calls usually carry higher labour rates.

⏱ How long does it take?

Simple repairs (e.g. socket replacement): 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Consumer unit trip/fault repair: 1–3 hours depending on complexity.
Extensive rewiring or upgrade works: Several hours to a day or more.
Testing and certification: Usually around 30 minutes extra.

Times vary depending on the exact fault and ease of access, but emergency electricians aim to complete the work promptly to restore safety.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

It’s strongly advised not to attempt fixing electrical emergencies yourself. Electricity is dangerous and can cause serious injury or fire if handled incorrectly.

By law, electrical work affecting fixed installations must comply with Building Regulations (Part P), often requiring a certified electrician to perform or inspect the work. DIY efforts to fix faults can result in unsafe wiring or invalid insurance claims.

If you experience an emergency, the safest option is to isolate power (if you can do so safely) and immediately call a qualified emergency electrician.

💰 Typical UK price range

Emergency electrician call-outs for urgent repairs usually cost between £150 and £400 including labour, parts, and call-out fees. More complex or large-scale work will cost more.

Prices are estimates and include VAT at 20%. Always ask for a clear quote before work starts.

✅ Handy tips before you start

Turn off electricity at the consumer unit if safe to do so before the electrician arrives.
Have a clear description of the problem and when it started ready to help accurate diagnosis.
Keep your home address and contact details handy.
Once repaired, keep all certificates and receipts for your records and future home sales.
Regularly have your wiring inspected by a qualified electrician every 10 years or on property sale.
Register the electrician’s work with building control yourself if they don’t do it, to comply with Part P.
Take photos or notes before and after works for your own evidence.
Choose an electrician registered with a recognised scheme (e.g. NICEIC) to ensure quality and safety.

By taking these steps, you’ll be better prepared and can minimise the time your home is without power in an emergency. Safety always comes first.