Electricity installation costs
Cost of installing electricity 2026
Installing electricity costs on average between €450 and €5,000, depending on the scope of your project. installing electricity includes installing wiring, sockets, switches, and the consumer unit in your home. The price varies significantly based on the number of circuits to be installed, the surface area of your home, and whether old wiring needs replacing. In this price guide, you can read about the costs of installing electricity and what to look for when comparing quotes.
Table of Contents
- What is the cost of installing electricity?
- Costs of installing electricity per room
- Price-determining factors for installing electricity
- Additional costs and surcharges
- How does the electrician work when installing electricity?
- How can you save on installing electricity?
- When is installing or replacing electricity necessary?
- Find the best electrician for installing electricity
- Frequently asked questions about installing electricity
- Book an electrician for installing electricity
- Useful links
What is the cost of installing electricity?
Installing electricity in an average home costs an average of €3,700, including labour and materials. These costs consist of approximately 75% labour costs and 25% material costs such as wiring, sockets, and consumer unit components. An electrician charges from €65 per hour, with the rate potentially differing per region.
Costs of installing electricity per project
| Type of project | Average costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | €5,000 | Includes sockets, replacing consumer unit and connecting RCD |
| Garden house | €450 | Relates to installing electricity outside the home |
| Living room | €550 | Mainly lighting and thermostat |
| Bathroom, kitchen or laundry room | €850 | Lighting and appliances or three-phase power |
| Veranda | €1.250 | Electricity adjacent to the home with three-phase power for outdoor kitchen |
When you want to have electricity installed in a single room, the costs for new electricity average €450 to €950. Replacing or expanding the consumer unit is part of larger projects and is usually combined with installing new circuits. During a full renovation, the RCD (Residual Current Device) is also replaced to meet current safety standards.
All mentioned costs include 21% VAT, labour and materials. The final price depends on the complexity of the project, the condition of the current installation and any extra wishes such as dimmer switches or smart switches.
Costs of installing electricity per room
The costs for installing electricity differ significantly per room. A garden house is the cheapest (from €450), while a complete home including a consumer unit is the most expensive scenario (up to €5,000). In wet rooms such as the bathroom and kitchen, strict safety requirements and zone divisions according to NEN standards apply, making the costs higher than for a living room.
| Room | Average costs | Work involved |
|---|---|---|
| Garden house | €450 | Basic installation with lighting and sockets |
| Living room | €550 | Lighting and thermostat |
| Bathroom, kitchen or laundry room | €850 | Lighting, appliances and splash-proof facilities |
| Veranda | €1,250 | Electricity with three-phase power for outdoor kitchen |
| Entire home | €5,000 | Sockets, consumer unit and RCD |
Price-determining factors for installing electricity
The total price for installing electricity depends on several factors. Some are directly visible, such as the scale of the project. Other factors such as the condition of the existing installation or the complexity of the work often only become clear during execution.
Type of home
In new builds, the professional can start from scratch without removing old pipes or breaking open walls. In existing buildings, old wiring often needs to be removed first and chiselling is required to conceal new cables. This takes more labour time and increases costs. In apartments, extra restrictions apply due to shared pipes and owner association rules. Listed buildings have strict requirements, making work take more time and preparation.
Condition of existing electricity
Old installations with aluminium wiring, without earthing, or with fabric wiring must be completely replaced. This increases both labour time and material costs. Installations with copper wiring and modern RCDs offer more room for expansion without complete replacement. The number of available circuits determines if the consumer unit needs expansion.
Circuit distribution and consumer unit capacity
With many heavy appliances such as an induction hob, tumble dryer, or charging station, an extra circuit is often necessary. If the current consumer unit is too small, it must be replaced by a larger version. This significantly increases the costs for installing an extra circuit. A modern consumer unit with sufficient space prevents future adjustments.
Three-phase power
Heavy appliances such as induction hobs, charging stations, and heat pumps require a three-phase connection (3x 400V). This has a direct impact on the consumer unit and often requires an upgrade of the main connection. The network operator must be involved, which brings extra costs and waiting time.
Role of the network operator
Increasing the capacity of the connection, placing the meter, and connecting to the grid requires coordination with the network operator. Waiting times can run up to several weeks. These tasks are outside the control of the professional and influence the project's turnaround time.
Flush-mounted versus surface-mounted
Flush-mounted wiring disappears into the wall and gives a sleek result but requires chiselling and finishing. This costs more time and increases labour costs. Surface-mounted wiring is faster to install and more affordable but remains visible on the wall. The choice depends on your preference for aesthetics versus budget.
Required materials
The choice of switching material affects total costs. Luxury brands with dimming functions or smart switches are more expensive than standard house brands. The quality of cables and the consumer unit itself also make a difference in price.
Complexity of the work
Complex tasks such as installing three-phase power or working in existing buildings with limited access require more time and expertise. Activities in wet rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens have strict zone divisions according to NEN standards, resulting in higher costs.
Region
In large cities, hourly rates for professionals are often higher than in rural areas. This is due to higher business costs and greater demand. The difference can be up to €15 per hour.
Emergency versus planned
Emergency jobs are more expensive because the professional must adjust their schedule. Planned work offers more room for preparation and efficient execution, which reduces costs.
Weekend
Work at the weekend costs more than on weekdays due to surcharges. If possible, plan on workdays to avoid these extra costs.
Legal regulations
Electrical installations must comply with the NEN 1010 standard. Certain tasks may only be performed by certified electricians. For new builds or major renovations, an inspection requirement applies, bringing extra time and costs.
Additional costs and surcharges
Extra costs depend on your specific situation. At Zoofy, you do not pay call-out charges.
| Option type | Average costs |
|---|---|
| Outdoor socket | €250 |
| Outdoor lighting on switch | €25 |
| Time switch | €250 |
| Installing ground cable 10/15 incl. indoor switch | €350 |
| Clock thermostat | €200 |
| Installing double socket | €150 |
| Moving socket | €100 |
| Lowering socket | €50 |
| Extra circuit incl. connection in consumer unit | €300 |
| Installing empty conduit | €100 |
- For emergency jobs, a surcharge applies because the professional must adjust their schedule
- Work at the weekend is more expensive than on weekdays
How does the electrician work when installing electricity?
Installing electricity follows a fixed sequence of steps.
- Preliminary research and inspection: The professional inspects the existing situation, checks the consumer unit, and discusses your wishes for sockets and switches.
- Creating an installation plan: A plan is drawn up with the locations of sockets, switches, and the circuit distribution in the consumer unit.
- Preparatory work: Slots are routed for flush-mounted wiring or conduits are prepared for surface-mounted installation. Ensure all rooms are accessible and cover valuable items against dust.
- Installing consumer unit and circuits: The consumer unit is placed or expanded with the necessary circuits and RCDs.
- Installation and connection: Cables are pulled to all connection points. Sockets and switches are placed and connected to the wiring.
- Testing and inspection: The installation is tested for safety according to NEN 1010 standards. For new builds or major renovations, an inspection follows. You receive an installation certificate. The total duration varies from a few hours for a small room to several days for a complete home.
How can you save on installing electricity?
There are several ways to limit the costs of installing electricity without compromising on quality.
- Address problems early: Flickering lights or tripping fuses indicate problems. Have them repaired immediately before they lead to damage to the consumer unit or other components.
- Prepare the workspace: Clear away furniture, make sockets accessible, and cover valuable items against dust. This saves the professional time and reduces labour costs.
- Plan smartly: Book on weekdays instead of at the weekend or as an emergency. Planned jobs are always more affordable.
- Help out: For jobs on an hourly basis, you can help with routing slots, pulling cables, and tidying up. Every hour less labour saves on costs.
- Combine tasks: Have multiple jobs carried out at once, such as extra sockets or a new circuit in the consumer unit. This is more affordable than separate visits.
- Choose standard material: House brands from the DIY store work just as well as luxury brands. Consider surface-mounted sockets in functional rooms like the shed.
- Book through Zoofy: You get a fixed rate upfront, without call-out charges and without surprises. You only pay after the job is completed.
When is installing or replacing electricity necessary?
Electrical installations have a limited lifespan and show clear signals when replacement is needed.
Outdated installations
Installations older than 25 to 40 years are often due for replacement. Fabric wiring, aluminium wire, or installations without an RCD pose a safety risk. These outdated systems no longer meet modern safety standards and cannot handle the power consumption of contemporary equipment.
Alarm signals in the home
Frequently tripping fuses, sparking sockets, flickering lights, or warm switches are warnings you should not ignore. Also, a smell of smoke or burning near the consumer unit indicates danger. These signals point to overloading or defective components.
Inadequate capacity
Modern appliances such as induction hobs, tumble dryers, and charging stations require more power than old installations can handle. Insufficient circuits in the consumer unit lead to overloading. Expansion or replacement prevents malfunctions and increases safety.
Find the best electrician for installing electricity
Reliable electricians ensure safe work that complies with all legal requirements.
- NEN 1010 standard: Electrical work must comply with the NEN 1010 standard. Only certified electricians may perform certain tasks on the consumer unit.
- Quality marks: Check if the professional is recognised through quality marks such as Techniek Nederland or UNETO-VNI. This guarantees craftsmanship and knowledge of the latest safety requirements.
- Installation certificate: A certified electrician provides an installation certificate upon completion. This is important for your insurance and when selling your home.
- No call-out charges: At Zoofy, you don't pay call-out charges; you only pay for the work performed.
- Fixed price upfront: You know exactly what the costs are, without surprises afterwards.
- Quick booking: Arrange a professional directly without lengthy quote processes.
- Payment after completion: You pay via QR code only when the job is fully finished.
- Reliable professionals: Zoofy only works with highly-rated professionals who score an average of 9.2.
- Warranty and insurance: Ask about the warranty on the work performed and the professional's insurance in case of any damage.
Frequently asked questions about installing electricity
How long does it take on average to install electricity?
For a single room, you can count on a few hours to a day. For a complete home, this can take several days up to a week, depending on the complexity and the number of circuits to be installed in the consumer unit.
Why is an electrician so expensive?
The costs for installing electricity consist of 75% labour costs. An electrician has years of training, must comply with strict certifications, and works with precision according to safety standards. The expertise and responsibility justify the rate.
What does it cost to replace electricity in an old house?
A complete replacement costs an average of €5,000, including new wiring, sockets, and consumer unit. In old houses, chiselling is often required and outdated wiring must be completely removed, which takes more time than in new builds.
What does an electrician charge per socket?
Placing a double socket costs an average of €150. For larger projects, multiple sockets are often installed at once, which is more affordable than individual visits.
Does the power need to be completely shut off?
During work on the consumer unit or wiring, the power is temporarily switched off for safety. Prepare for a few hours without electricity.
Do I need an inspection report afterwards?
For new builds or major renovations, an inspection by a certified body is mandatory. The professional can arrange this for you and provides an installation certificate.
Can I still add sockets afterwards?
Yes, but this is more expensive than including them directly during installation. Consider installing empty conduits for future expansions without chiselling.
What if my fuses trip regularly?
This indicates overloading or an outdated installation. Have an electrician check the circuit distribution in the consumer unit and possibly install extra circuits.
How deep should electricity be laid in the garden?
A ground cable must be installed at least 60 centimetres deep to prevent damage from digging activities. Always use special ground cable that is moisture-resistant.
Can I pull conduits myself?
Simple preparations such as routing slots can be done yourself, but the connection must be done by a certified electrician due to safety and legal requirements.
Book an electrician for installing electricity
Ready to have electricity installed? At Zoofy, you book a professional directly, without quotes and without call-out charges. You see exactly what it costs beforehand, and Zoofy connects you with a vetted, reliable professional. You only pay once the work is done. Book a professional directly.