How Much Does An Electrician Cost?
Average cost from $80 to $130 per hour
We’ve all been there. Whether your old-fashioned power points need replacing or your electrical system isn’t working as it should be, the thought of calling an electrician without knowing how much it will set you back can be daunting.
While it’s tempting to undertake electrical work yourself to save cost, it’s not advisable. Not only is it dangerous, but if you mess up the work, you’ll have to spend much more fixing it down the line than you would have spent on an electrician.
The good news is that we’ve put together a guide on how much you can expect to pay for an electrician in 2024, so you won’t be blindsided next time you have an electrical emergency. Let’s get into it.
How much does an electrician cost?
In Australia, an electrician can cost anywhere from $80 to $130 per hour. The final cost will depend on the job in question, the state you’re in, and the timeframe of the job. Last-minute emergency call-outs will naturally cost more.
| State | Average Hourly Rate ($) |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | $92.75 |
| New South Wales | $103.75 |
| Queensland | $99.00 |
| South Australia | $93.50 |
| Western Australia | $95.00 |
| Victoria | $104.50 |
Here are the estimated hourly ranges based on some major Australian cities:
| City | Per hour ($) |
|---|---|
| Sydney | $96 - $130 |
| Brisbane | $80 - $110 |
| Perth | $90 - $105 |
| Adelaide | $80 - $100 |
| Melbourne | $86 - $130 |
| Canberra | $81 - $116 |
Electrician call-out fees
Image credit Approved Electrix
Call-out fees are the price you pay to cover the expenses incurred by an electrician when they come to your property, and they tend to be higher when it’s a last-minute emergency appointment. You might not always pay a call-out fee - pre-booked jobs might charge a day rate - but it’s best to check with the professional you hire before confirming the appointment.
As for the cost of the call-out fees, they range from $50 to $150 depending on things like the last-minute nature of the work (emergency work), how far the electrician lives from you, and the complexity of the work. When calculating the total of your electrician costs, be sure to add the call-out fee, which is a one-time charge for the task.
If you’re calling out an electrician to take a look at a particularly complex project and give you a quote, you can expect to pay more for the call-out.
The best way to avoid costly call-out fees? Keep on top of your electrical systems. Getting annual reviews and rewiring work done when necessary can reduce the costs associated with emergency call-outs.
How much do electricians charge for different types of work?
How much does a new power socket cost?
Installing a new power point is a pretty straightforward job. You can expect to pay around $50-$150 per power point, depending on the type of power socket.
| Type of power point | Cost of power point |
|---|---|
| Single | $50 - $90 |
| Double | $70 - $100 |
| USB | $100 - $150 |
How much does it cost to rewire a property?
A home should be rewired every 25 years. Expect to pay anywhere from $1000 to $12000 for this job depending on the property size.
| Size of property | Cost of rewiring |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom house | $1500 - $4000 |
| 2-bedroom house | $2000 - $5000 |
| 3-bedroom house | $3500 - $9000 |
| 4-bedroom house | $8000 - $12000 |
How much does it cost to install a ceiling fan?
In most cases, installing a new ceiling fan will set you back between $100 to $600 depending on the type of fan you are installing. The national average for installation costs for all cities is $272.50.
| City | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Sydney | $160 - $500 |
| Adelaide | $100 - $300 |
| Melbourne | $150 - $300 |
| Perth | $150 - $500 |
| Brisbane | $150 - $550 |
| Canberra | $150 - $260 |
How much does it cost to install solar panels?
You can expect to pay anywhere from $3000 to $12000 for solar panels depending on the size of the system. The typical 6.6kW price ranges by state.
| State | Cost (6.6kW) |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | $7200 |
| Queensland | $8000 |
| Victoria | $7300 |
| Western Australia | $5300 |
| South Australia | $6800 |
How to save money hiring an electrician
Image credit Melville Electrical
While hiring an electrician tends to be expensive no matter what, there are simple ways to cut down on costs.
- Compare quotes. As with anything, you don’t tend to pay the first price you see. Use a comparison site to collect quotes from 3+ electricians in your area to ensure you’re getting value for money.
- Avoid emergency call-outs. Sure, emergencies happen, and the inflated call-out rate that comes with them is a sad reality. But by better looking after your electrics with annual check-ups, you’ll avoid last-minute dramas.
- Be wary of too-good-to-be-true quotes. Okay, we know this sounds counterintuitive. But if something seems suspiciously cheap, that’s probably for a reason. Work with a reputable electrician and not a scammer to ensure you don’t make electrical issues even worse.
- Prepare your home for the project. The longer it takes your electrician to complete the project, the more you’ll pay since they tend to charge an hourly rate. By ensuring your home is prepared for the job, with belongings moved out of the way, you’ll only pay your sparkie for the important stuff.
Compare electrical quotes
We’re in the business of finding you a professional and trustworthy electrician within your budget, and we have been since 2007. Put simply, we’re experts at what we do. Here at Word of Mouth, our free quote finder will give you up to three quotes from local experts in your area.
Electrician costs at a glance
National Average Cost
$80 - $130 per hour
Call-Out Fee
$50 - $150
Power Socket Installation
$50 - $150
Rewiring Costs
$1,000 - $12,000
Ceiling Fan Installation
$100 - $600
Solar Panel Installation
$3,000 - $12,000
*Costs must be used as a guide only and may vary locally. They may also be subject to market movements and inflation.
FAQs
Okay, we know you did a good job of painting those kitchen cabinets last year, but honestly, no. Electrical work can be dangerous and is best undertaken by a professional. While it might seem costly, you’ll save much more money in the long term by ensuring the work is well done and won’t cause problems further down the line.
The average hourly rate for an electrician varies depending on the job and the state you live in, but you can expect to pay from $80 to $130, with an average of around $100 per hour. Call-out fees tend to range from $50 to $150.
Good question! Finding a professional and experienced electrician is the key to saving money further down the line on correcting shabby electrical work. Use a trusted review comparison site to assess quotes from vetted electricians in your area.
Electricians in Victoria and New South Wales tend to charge more, while South and Western Australia usually have the lowest electrician costs. You’ll find that electrical work is more expensive in big cities like Sydney and Melbourne, too. The best way to find out how much electricians in your area charge is to get a quote now.
Finding the right electrician is paramount to getting bang for your buck. Before working with an electrician, it’s a good idea to ask about appropriate insurance, licenses, and reviews or testimonials to get a better overview of their previous experience. Use a trusted comparison site (like us!) to secure an experienced electrician at a great price point.
