Get Free Electrical Quotes from Local Tradespeople
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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Why Getting Multiple Electrical Quotes Matters
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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Which Platforms Let You Post a Job and Get Quotes for Free
Several well-established platforms allow homeowners and landlords to post electrical jobs at no cost:
- Checkatrade — Free to post; electricians pay to be listed, which creates some quality filtering.
- Rated People — You post the job free; tradespeople pay credits to respond.
- MyBuilder — Similar model; contractors buy leads rather than the customer paying anything.
- TrustMark — A government-endorsed quality scheme directory where you can search for registered tradespeople directly.
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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How to Write a Clear Electrical Job Description
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:
- What you need doing (e.g. EICR / periodic inspection, consumer unit upgrade, EV charger installation, fault finding, partial or full rewire, fixed wire testing)
- Property type and age — a 1970s semi-detached is a very different job to a new-build flat
- Number of bedrooms or circuits for EICRs and rewires
- Whether you're a homeowner or landlord — landlords have specific certificate requirements
- Any known issues — mention if there's been tripping, burning smells, or visible damage
- When you need the work done — flexibility often helps you get better prices
A well-written description takes ten minutes and can cut days off the back-and-forth.
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What Information Electricians Need Before Quoting
Before a reputable electrician puts a number on a job, they'll usually want to know:
- Access arrangements — can they get to the consumer unit, loft, under floors?
- How old the existing wiring is — aluminium wiring from the 1960s or rubber-insulated cables change the scope significantly
- Whether Part P Building Regulations notification will be needed — most significant electrical work in a dwelling requires notification through a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, and others) or direct to the local authority
- Certificate requirements — do you need an EICR, an Electrical Installation Certificate, or both?
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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How to Compare Quotes from Local Electricians
Price matters, but it's not the only thing. When comparing:
- Check scheme membership — look for NICEIC, NAPIT, or equivalent registration. This means the electrician is assessed against BS 7671 and works within a competent person scheme, so their work is self-certified without needing a separate Building Control application.
- Check what's included — does the quote cover certification, call-out, materials, and disposal of old equipment?
- Read reviews carefully — look for reviews on completed electrical jobs specifically, not just general trades
- Ask about timescales — an overly fast turnaround on a full rewire or EICR on a large property can mean corners are being cut
- Confirm VAT — smaller sole traders may not be VAT-registered, which affects the total you pay
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Red Flags to Watch for When Reviewing Tradespeople
In fifteen years in this trade I've seen a few patterns worth flagging:
- No scheme registration and no explanation — if they can't tell you how their work will be certified under Part P, walk away
- Verbal-only quotes — always get it in writing
- Large cash deposits upfront — a reasonable deposit is normal for materials on bigger jobs; being asked for 50–70% before anyone's turned up is not
- No fixed-wire testing or EICR on a property that clearly needs one — some landlords are offered a certificate without a thorough inspection; that's a liability, not a saving
- Pressure to decide immediately — legitimate tradespeople don't do this
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What Happens After You Accept a Quote
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:
- An Electrical Installation Certificate (new work) or EICR (inspection)
- Building Regulations compliance certificate where applicable
- Any relevant product warranties (especially for EV chargers)
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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Free Quotes for Common Electrical Jobs in the North East
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:
- EICR / Electrical Installation Condition Report
- Landlord electrical certificates and periodic inspection
- Consumer unit upgrades
- EV charger installation
- Partial or full rewire
- Fault finding
- Fixed wire testing for commercial and rental properties
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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Frequently Asked Questions
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.