Posting an electrical job online and collecting quotes costs you nothing upfront on most of the major UK platforms — you simply describe the work, and local electricians come to you. Done properly, it takes about ten minutes and can save you a significant amount of money by giving you a genuine comparison rather than accepting the first price you're offered.
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Electrical work varies enormously in price depending on how a job is scoped, which materials the electrician specifies, and how busy their diary is at the time. A consumer unit upgrade, for example, might be quoted anywhere from £400 to over £900 by different tradespeople in the same postcode — and both figures can be legitimate depending on board size, cable condition, and whether additional remedial work is needed to meet the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).
Getting at least three quotes isn't about finding the cheapest; it's about understanding what's reasonable and spotting anything that looks out of step. One quote gives you nothing to measure against. Three gives you a baseline. It also means you're less likely to end up with someone who underquotes to win the job and then adds costs once they're on-site — something that does happen in this trade, unfortunately.
For landlords specifically, the financial stakes are higher. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — the landlord electrical certificate required under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 — needs to be carried out by a qualified person. Prices differ, and so does the quality of the inspection. Comparing quotes properly helps you find someone competent, not just cheap.
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Several well-established platforms allow homeowners and landlords to post electrical jobs at no cost:
None of these platforms charge you to receive quotes. The business model runs the other way: tradespeople pay for access to leads or listings. That doesn't guarantee quality on its own, but it does mean you can collect multiple quotes without any financial risk.
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Vague job descriptions attract vague quotes — or none at all. If you post "need some electrical work done," a good electrician will either skip it or come back with so many questions that the process drags out unnecessarily.
Be specific. Include:
A well-written description takes ten minutes and can cut days off the back-and-forth.
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Before a reputable electrician puts a number on a job, they'll usually want to know:
For EV charger installation specifically, electricians also need to know your incoming supply capacity and whether a load management device will be required — this can affect both price and equipment spec.
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Price matters, but it's not the only thing. When comparing:
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In fifteen years in this trade I've seen a few patterns worth flagging:
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Once you accept, a good electrician will confirm the scope in writing, agree a start date, and clarify what access they need. For notifiable work, they'll register the job with their competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, etc.) before or at the point of starting.
On completion, you should receive:
Keep these documents — landlords are legally required to hold the EICR and provide copies to tenants and local authorities on request.
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If you're in North East England and need quotes for any of the following, local electricians — including our team at Energy North Ltd — can provide free, no-obligation estimates:
Prices vary depending on property size, access, and existing installation condition — anyone giving you a firm price without seeing or asking about the property first is guessing.
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Is it really free to post an electrical job and get quotes online?
Yes. On Checkatrade, Rated People, MyBuilder, and similar platforms, posting a job as a homeowner or landlord costs nothing. Tradespeople pay to respond to leads or maintain their listings — you don't pay a penny to receive quotes.
How many quotes should I get for an electrical job?
Three is the standard recommendation and a reasonable minimum for any job above a few hundred pounds. For larger work — rewires, consumer unit upgrades, commercial fixed wire testing — getting four or five quotes is sensible.
How do I know if an electrician is qualified and safe to hire?
Ask for their scheme registration number and check it directly on the NICEIC or NAPIT website. Registered electricians are periodically assessed against BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations) and their work is subject to audit. TrustMark registration adds another layer of consumer protection.
What should I include when posting an EICR or landlord certificate job?
State clearly that it's an EICR for a rental property, give the property type (house, flat, HMO), number of bedrooms, and whether the last inspection certificate is available. If there are known issues — outdated consumer unit, previous remedial notices — mention them. This lets electricians quote accurately rather than adding caveats later.
How long does it take to receive quotes after posting a job online?
On most platforms, you can expect responses within 24–48 hours for common jobs in populated areas. In the North East, response times are generally good for standard domestic work. Specialist jobs (three-phase commercial installs, large HMO rewires) may take a little longer to attract the right tradespeople.
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If you're based in the North East and want a straightforward conversation about your electrical job — whether it's an EICR, an EV charger, or something more complex — you're welcome to get in touch with us at [Energy North Ltd](https://energynorth.uk). We'll give you an honest assessment and a clear quote, no pressure.