Electrician Cost in Chichester 2026 | Emergency Call-out, Fault Finding & Small Job Prices
2026 price guide for professional electrical services in Chichester, East Sussex. Covering emergency call-outs, fault diagnosis, lighting installations, socket repairs, and electrical safety checks for period homes, holiday lets, and coastal properties. Includes hourly rates, minimum charges, and how to find NICEIC or ELECSA registered electricians in the area.
Price Summary
Emergency Call-out (Daytime)
£70–£120
First hour, incl. travel & diagnosis
Light Fitting Installation (Basic)
£50–£90 per point
Supply & fit standard pendant
Socket/Switch Replacement
£45–£80 each
Like-for-like, labour only
Consumer Unit Test (Visual)
£65–£130
Check for faults, no certificate
2026 Electrical Work Price Breakdown
| Service in Chichester | Cost | Local Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Call-out Fee (9am-6pm, Weekday) | £70–£120 | Typically includes first hour's labour. For loss of power, tripping issues, or dangerous faults. |
| Out-of-Hours Call-out (Night/Weekend/Bank Holiday) | £110–£200+ | Premium for immediate response to restore power or make safe. Critical for holiday let guest issues. |
| Standard Hourly Rate (After first hour/call-out) | £55–£85 per hour | Labour only. Parts and materials extra. Usually charged in 30-minute increments. |
| Fault Finding & Repair (Power loss on one circuit) | £90–£170 | Time to diagnose cause (overload, short circuit, faulty appliance), reset/fix, and test. Excludes parts. |
| Replace Light Fitting (Basic pendant, labour only) | £35–£65 | Isolate, disconnect old, connect new, test. Assumes existing cabling and rose are sound. |
| Replace Light Fitting (Supply & fit standard pendant) | £50–£90 | Includes basic fitting. For decorative or complex fittings, labour increases. |
| Install Downlight (LED, fire-rated, labour only per light) | £28–£55 | Cut hole, run cable from existing point, connect, fit lamp. More if multiple lights from one source. |
| Replace Socket or Switch (Like-for-like, single) | £45–£80 | Isolate circuit, swap unit, test. For period properties, sourcing matching brass/porcelain plates costs more. |
| Install Additional Socket (Spur from existing, labour) | £90–£160 | Drilling, chasing wall minimally, cable run, fitting back box & socket, making good not included. |
| Repair Faulty Doorbell (Standard wired) | £65–£130 | Diagnose fault (transformer, button, bell), replace component. Common in older homes. |
| Replace Fuseboard/Consumer Unit Fuse (Rewireable) | £25–£45 | Simple fix if fuse has blown. Diagnosis of why it blew is extra. |
| Install Outside Security Light (PIR, labour only) | £90–£150 | Run cable from inside supply, fit weatherproof fitting, connect, test. Drilling through wall required. |
| Replace Cooker/Hob Connection Unit | £65–£120 | Isolate circuit, test old unit, fit new high-load unit. May require upgrading cable if old. |
| Electric Shower Isolator Switch Replacement | £55–£95 | High-current switch. Isolate circuit, test, replace pull-cord or wall switch. |
| Install Ceiling Fan (Labour only) | £75–£140 | Secure mounting, connect to existing lighting circuit (and separate switch if required). |
| EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report (Visual, no testing) | £65–£130 | Basic check of consumer unit, visible wiring. NOT a full certified report. |
| Full EICR Testing & Certification (for rental property) | £160–£320 | Legally required every 5 years for rental properties. Includes full testing and legal certificate. |
| Smoke/Heat Alarm Installation (Per alarm, supply & fit) | £50–£100 | Interlinked alarms now required in all rentals. Includes mounting and connection to mains. |
Common Electrical Packages & Small Job Bundles
Holiday Let Safety & Compliance Package
£250–£450
Full EICR test & certificate, install interlinked smoke/heat alarms as required, test all RCDs, replace any cracked sockets.
Lighting Upgrade Package (Room)
£200–£380
Supply & fit 4-6 LED downlights in one room, replace old light switch with dimmer, install a new pendant in centre.
Period Property Socket Refresh
£220–£450
Replace 6-8 old, cracked, or discoloured sockets and switches throughout a period home with matching modern or period-style fittings.
Emergency Fault Resolution Package
£170–£300
Call-out, diagnose cause of persistent tripping, repair fault (e.g., replace faulty socket or cable section), restore power.
What Affects Electrician Prices in Chichester?
- Urgency & Timing: Scheduled work vs. emergency out-of-hours response.
- Job Complexity & Accessibility: Simple surface-mounted work vs. fishing cables through insulated lofts, solid walls, or under floorboards in period homes.
- Property Age & Wiring Condition: Modern wiring with clear circuits vs. old rubber, lead, or VIR wiring requiring extreme caution and possible upgrade.
- Parts & Materials: Cost of fittings, especially for period-style switches, coastal-grade external fittings, or high-quality security lights.
- Certification Requirements: Whether the job requires a Minor Works Certificate or is part of a mandatory EICR.
- Making Good: Whether filling chases, replastering, or redecorating is included (rarely is).
Common Electrical Issues in Chichester, East Sussex
Period City Centre & Listed Buildings
- Old Wiring Concerns: Deteriorating rubber/lead sheathed cables, lack of earthing, old fuse boxes.
- Insufficient Sockets: Heavy reliance on extension leads due to original 1-2 sockets per room.
- Lighting Circuit Problems: Faulty old switches, junction boxes in lofts, and poor earthing on metal fittings.
Holiday Lets & Second Homes
- RCD/Nuisance Tripping: Caused by guest appliances (kettles, hairdryers) or moisture ingress in outdoor sockets.
- EICR Compliance: Mandatory 5-yearly Electrical Installation Condition Reports for rental properties.
- Smoke Alarm Regulations: Requirement for interlinked, mains-powered alarms in all rentals.
Coastal & Harbour-Side Properties
- Corrosion of External Fittings: Security lights, outside sockets, and garage supplies affected by salt air.
- Damp & Condensation Issues: Affecting consumer units in cellars or outbuildings.
- Boat & Marina Supply Points: Installation and maintenance of specialised outdoor supplies.
Choosing an Electrician in Chichester
Verify NICEIC, ELECSA or STROMA Registration & Insurance
This is the single most important step. A NICEIC, ELECSA, or STROMA registered electrician is assessed regularly for technical competence and complies with the UK wiring regulations (BS 7671). They can self-certify their work and issue legally required certificates. Ask to see their registration card. Also ensure they have public liability insurance (min £2m).
Seek Experience with Local Property Types & Coastal Conditions
Does the electrician have experience working on pre-1960s wiring, thatched properties, or listed buildings? Can they advise on corrosion-resistant fittings for coastal areas? For holiday lets, are they fully up-to-date with the specific requirements of the EICR and smoke alarm regulations for rentals? A local electrician will understand the common earthing arrangements and challenges in Chichester's mix of old and new.
Get a Detailed Quote & Understand Certification
A professional quote should detail labour, materials (with specifications), and VAT. For any new circuit or significant alteration, ask if the price includes a Minor Works or Electrical Installation Certificate. This certificate is your proof of safe, compliant work and is crucial for insurance, future sales, and holiday let compliance. Beware of electricians who don't offer certification.
Local Chichester, East Sussex Insight
Electrical work in Chichester must account for the city's historic fabric and coastal location. Many homes in the conservation area have listing restrictions that affect how cables can be run. The salt air accelerates corrosion on external electrical components, making the specification of appropriate materials critical. The high volume of holiday lets means electricians are in high demand for EICRs and ensuring properties meet the latest rental regulations. The prevalence of period homes with solid walls makes adding new sockets or lights more labour-intensive. For thatched properties, special fire safety rules apply to wiring in roof spaces. Building a relationship with a trusted local electrician is essential for holiday let owners to ensure compliance and for period property owners to navigate the complexities of upgrading historic electrics safely.
FAQs
What should I do if my power trips and won't reset?
1) Unplug all appliances on the affected circuit. 2) Try resetting the RCD/MCB on your consumer unit. 3) If it holds, plug appliances back in one by one to find the faulty one. 4) If it trips immediately with everything unplugged, there's a fault in the fixed wiring – call a registered electrician. Never ignore a persistently tripping RCD.
Is it a legal requirement to have an EICR for my holiday let?
Yes. Since 2020, it is a legal requirement for all private rental properties in England (including holiday lets) to have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out at least every 5 years by a qualified electrician. You must provide a copy to the local authority if requested.
Why does my outside security light keep failing in my coastal home?
In coastal Chichester, this is often due to moisture ingress and corrosion from salt air. Even IP-rated fittings can fail over time. Ensure it's installed correctly with drip loops in the cable and specified for marine/coastal environments. An electrician can diagnose if it's the lamp, sensor, or wiring and recommend a more robust solution.
Can I just replace my old fuse box with a new consumer unit myself?
No. This is notifiable work and must be done by a registered electrician. Installing or replacing a consumer unit is complex and dangerous. It must comply with current regulations (including RCD requirements), and the work must be certified. DIY work is illegal, invalidates your home insurance, and is a major fire and electrocution risk.
Conclusion
Electrical work in Chichester costs £70–£120 for a daytime emergency call-out and £45–£80 to replace a standard socket. Given the safety-critical nature of electrical work, the legal requirements for rental properties, and the challenges of period and coastal buildings, it is paramount to use only a NICEIC, ELECSA, or STROMA registered electrician who provides proper certification. For owners of period properties and holiday lets, establishing a relationship with a knowledgeable local electrician for regular safety checks, EICRs, and upgrades is a wise investment in safety, compliance, and peace of mind.
Tip:
Keep a torch in an easily accessible place in case of power cuts. Know where your consumer unit (fuse box) is and label the circuits clearly. For holiday lets, schedule your EICR well in advance of its expiry date, as local electricians get very busy. When upgrading, consider USB sockets in bedrooms and living areas for guest convenience.