Electrician Cost in Petersfield 2026 | Emergency Call-out, Fault Finding & Small Job Prices

2026 price guide for professional electrical services in Petersfield, East Sussex. Covering emergency call-outs, fault diagnosis, lighting installations, socket repairs, and electrical safety checks for period cottages, holiday lets, and modern homes. Includes hourly rates, minimum charges, and how to find NICEIC or ELECSA registered electricians in the area.

Emergency Call-out (Daytime)

£65–£110

First hour, incl. travel & diagnosis

Light Fitting Installation (Basic)

£45–£85 per point

Supply & fit standard pendant

Socket/Switch Replacement

£40–£75 each

Like-for-like, labour only

Consumer Unit Test (Visual)

£60–£120

Check for faults, no certificate

2026 Electrical Work Price Breakdown

Service in Petersfield	Cost	Local Notes
Emergency Call-out Fee (9am-6pm, Weekday)	£65–£110	Typically includes first hour's labour. For loss of power, tripping issues, or dangerous faults.
Out-of-Hours Call-out (Night/Weekend/Bank Holiday)	£100–£180+	Premium for immediate response to restore power or make safe. Critical for holiday let guest issues.
Standard Hourly Rate (After first hour/call-out)	£50–£80 per hour	Labour only. Parts and materials extra. Usually charged in 30-minute increments.
Fault Finding & Repair (Power loss on one circuit)	£80–£160	Time to diagnose cause (overload, short circuit, faulty appliance), reset/fix, and test. Excludes parts.
Replace Light Fitting (Basic pendant, labour only)	£30–£60	Isolate, disconnect old, connect new, test. Assumes existing cabling and rose are sound.
Replace Light Fitting (Supply & fit standard pendant)	£45–£85	Includes basic fitting. For decorative or complex fittings, labour increases.
Install Downlight (LED, fire-rated, labour only per light)	£25–£50	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)	£40–£75	Isolate circuit, swap unit, test. For period properties, sourcing matching brass/porcelain plates costs more.
Install Additional Socket (Spur from existing, labour)	£80–£150	Drilling, chasing wall minimally, cable run, fitting back box & socket, making good not included.
Repair Faulty Doorbell (Standard wired)	£60–£120	Diagnose fault (transformer, button, bell), replace component. Common in older homes.
Replace Fuseboard/Consumer Unit Fuse (Rewireable)	£20–£40	Simple fix if fuse has blown. Diagnosis of why it blew is extra.
Install Outside Security Light (PIR, labour only)	£80–£140	Run cable from inside supply, fit weatherproof fitting, connect, test. Drilling through wall required.
Replace Cooker/Hob Connection Unit	£60–£110	Isolate circuit, test old unit, fit new high-load unit. May require upgrading cable if old.
Electric Shower Isolator Switch Replacement	£50–£90	High-current switch. Isolate circuit, test, replace pull-cord or wall switch.
Install Ceiling Fan (Labour only)	£70–£130	Secure mounting, connect to existing lighting circuit (and separate switch if required).
EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report (Visual, no testing)	£60–£120	Basic check of consumer unit, visible wiring. NOT a full certified report.
Full EICR Testing & Certification (for rental property)	£150–£300	Legally required every 5 years for rental properties. Includes full testing and legal certificate.

Common Electrical Packages & Small Job Bundles

Holiday Let Safety & Function Check

£120–£220

Test all RCDs on consumer unit, check all sockets for earth, replace any cracked sockets/switches, test smoke alarms.

Lighting Upgrade Package (Room)

£180–£350

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

£200–£400

Replace 6-8 old, cracked, or discoloured sockets and switches throughout a cottage with matching modern or period-style fittings.

Emergency Fault Resolution Package

£150–£280

Call-out, diagnose cause of persistent tripping, repair fault (e.g., replace faulty socket or cable section), restore power.

What Affects Electrician Prices in Petersfield?

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 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 Petersfield, East Sussex

Period Cottages & Older Homes

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.
Wear & Tear on Sockets: Frequent plugging/unplugging leading to loose connections.
EICR Compliance: Mandatory 5-yearly Electrical Installation Condition Reports for rental properties.

Rural & Coastal Properties

Power Surges/Outages: More common in rural areas with overhead lines; may require surge protection.
Corrosion of External Fittings: Security lights, outside sockets, and garage supplies affected by salt air.
Outbuilding & Garden Electrics: Installing or repairing supplies to sheds, greenhouses, and gates.

Choosing an Electrician in Petersfield

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 & Systems

Does the electrician have experience working on pre-1960s wiring, thatched properties (special rules), or listed buildings? Can they source period-appropriate fittings? For holiday lets, are they familiar with the specific requirements of the EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) for rentals? A local electrician will understand the common earthing arrangements (TT, TN-S) found in rural Petersfield.

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 and future sales. Beware of electricians who don't offer certification.

Local Petersfield, East Sussex Insight

Electrical work in Petersfield often involves upgrading systems in charming but electrically outdated period homes, where rewiring may be a major, disruptive project requiring sensitive handling. The high volume of holiday lets means electricians are in high demand for EICRs and quick fault-fixing between guests. The coastal environment accelerates corrosion on outdoor electrical components. Many rural properties have a TT earthing system (with an earth rod), which requires different protection devices than standard urban supplies; an electrician must know how to test and maintain this. Due to the prevalence of thatched roofs, special care must be taken with downlighters and wiring in loft spaces to comply with fire safety regulations. Building a relationship with a trusted local electrician is essential for holiday let owners to ensure compliance and quick emergency response.

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 tenants/guests upon request.

Why does my outside security light keep failing?

In coastal Petersfield, 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. Consider upgrading to a more robust, marine-grade fitting. An electrician can diagnose if it's the lamp, sensor, or wiring.

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, 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 Petersfield costs £65–£110 for a daytime emergency call-out and £40–£75 to replace a standard socket. Given the safety-critical nature of electrical work and the legal requirements for rental properties, 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 and EICRs 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, provide simple instructions on how to reset a tripped RCD (if safe to do so) for minor appliance faults. Schedule your EICR well in advance of its expiry date, as local electricians get very busy.