How Much Does an Electrician Cost in Northern Ireland in 2026?

Whether you need a new socket, a light fitted or a fault fixed, it helps to know roughly what an electrician will cost before you book. Prices across Northern Ireland vary depending on the job, the time of day and where you live. This guide gives typical electrician costs in Northern Ireland for 2026, with a look at Belfast, Lisburn and rural areas.

All figures below are indicative guide prices only. Every electrician sets their own rates, and you should always ask for a quote before work starts.

Typical hourly rates

Most electricians in Northern Ireland charge somewhere between £40 and £60 per hour in 2026, with many working on a half day or day rate for larger jobs. A day rate typically falls between £250 and £400. Electricians in Belfast and Lisburn tend to sit towards the middle or upper end of those ranges because of higher demand and running costs, while rates in some rural areas can be a little lower.

Many electricians also quote a fixed price for common jobs, which is often easier to compare than an hourly rate.

Callout fees

For small jobs, many electricians charge a minimum fee or callout charge, which usually covers the first hour. As a rough guide:

• Standard daytime callout: around £50 to £90
• Evening and weekend callout: around £90 to £150
• Emergency or overnight callout: around £120 to £200 or more

Emergency callouts cost more because the electrician is dropping other work or coming out late at night. If the problem is not urgent, booking a standard daytime visit is usually much cheaper.

Common job costs in Northern Ireland

Here are typical guide prices for everyday jobs in 2026:

• Add a new double socket: around £80 to £150
• Replace a light fitting: around £50 to £100
• Install an outdoor socket: around £120 to £200
• Fit a mains wired smoke alarm: around £80 to £120 per alarm
• Fault finding: usually charged hourly, often £60 to £150
• Consumer unit replacement: around £450 to £700 for a typical house
• EV charger installation: around £800 to £1,200
• Landlord electrical inspection (EICR): around £150 to £250 for a typical house
• Full rewire of a three bedroom house: around £4,500 to £7,500

Belfast vs rural Northern Ireland

Prices in Belfast and Lisburn are often slightly higher than in rural parts of Northern Ireland. Higher demand, parking, congestion and running costs all play a part. On the other hand, there are more electricians to choose from in the cities, which means you may get a visit sooner.

In rural areas of counties like Fermanagh, Tyrone and Londonderry, hourly rates can be lower, but travel time can add to the cost if the nearest electrician is some distance away. Rural properties also tend to have older installations, outbuildings and long cable runs, which can make some jobs bigger than expected.

How to keep costs down

A few simple steps can help you get better value:

• Group several small jobs into one visit to avoid paying multiple callout fees
• Send photos of the problem and your fuse board in advance, so the electrician arrives with the right parts
• Book non-urgent work during normal working hours
• Ask for a written, fixed price quote that lists what is included
• Always use a qualified, NICEIC registered electrician, as cheap work that needs redoing costs more in the end

Get a price from a local electrician

Want an accurate price for your job? Send ElectriciansNI a WhatsApp with your name, area and what you need, plus a photo if you can. We will connect you with a trusted, NICEIC registered electrician in Belfast, Lisburn or anywhere in Northern Ireland, fast.