Electrical First Fix & Second Fix Pricing UK 2026

What is first fix and second fix?

On any new build or extension, electrical work splits into two distinct stages dictated by the build programme. Getting the distinction right matters because the two stages happen weeks apart, involve different work, and are typically quoted and invoiced separately.

First fix is everything done before the walls are plastered. The electrician runs all the cables — twin and earth (T&E), steel wire armoured (SWA), flex — installs back boxes, marks the consumer unit position, drops cables for sockets and switches, runs ceiling rose positions, pulls in lighting circuits, and installs data cables (CAT6), alarm cabling and smoke/heat detection wiring. None of the accessories are fitted yet. The walls then go over it all.

Second fix happens after plastering and decoration are complete. The electrician returns to fit all the accessories — sockets, switches, light fittings, extractor fans — connects the consumer unit, carries out the final inspection and testing, and issues the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC). The building can then be signed off under Part P.

First fix: what's involved per room

The scope of first fix varies significantly by room type. Here is what to expect on a standard residential new build or extension:

Per bedroom (2–3 hours each)

• Lighting circuit drop and ceiling rose position
• 2x double socket positions (back boxes fixed, cables run)
• TV aerial point position
• Smoke detector wiring (interlinked mains-powered)
• USB socket position if specified

Kitchen (4–6 hours)

• Dedicated kitchen ring main (separate circuit, 2.5mm T&E)
• Cooker circuit (6mm T&E, separate circuit)
• Extractor fan wiring position
• Dishwasher spur (fused connection unit position)
• Fridge/freezer spur
• Under-cabinet lighting circuit
• Boiler/heating controls wiring if applicable

Bathroom (2–3 hours)

• Extract fan wiring (switched or timer-controlled)
• Shaver point (isolated transformer, zone-compliant)
• Electric towel rail spur
• Electric shower circuit (10mm T&E if over 9.5kW)
• Lighting circuit (IP-rated fitting position)

First fix pricing 2026 (labour only)

Prices below are for labour only on a standard UK new build or rear extension. Materials are quoted separately (see below). London and South East rates typically run 20–30% higher.

• Single bedroom first fix: £80–£150
• Double bedroom first fix: £100–£200
• Kitchen first fix: £200–£400
• Bathroom first fix: £150–£300
• Single-storey rear extension (2-room equivalent): £500–£1,000
• 3-bed new build house first fix (full): £2,000–£4,000

These figures assume standard construction — timber frame or block-and-beam — with reasonable cable routes. Concrete floors, structural steel or awkward roof voids add time. Always survey before committing to a fixed price.

Consumer unit installation

The consumer unit (CU) is the heart of the installation. On a new build it is typically included in the first fix price for the whole house; on a rewire or extension it is usually quoted as a separate line item.

• Consumer unit supplied and fitted (18th Edition, metal enclosure): £350–£700
• RCBO-per-circuit configuration preferred for fault discrimination — every circuit gets its own RCBO rather than a shared RCD
• Typical 12–18 way board with 14–16 RCBOs: £180–£350 in RCBO components alone (Schneider/Legrand branded)
• Main switch, enclosure, busbars and tails: £60–£120 additional materials

The 18th Edition (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022) requires metal CU enclosures in domestic premises. Factor this in when pricing — plastic enclosures are no longer compliant for new installations.

Second fix pricing (labour only)

Second fix is more granular — priced per accessory or as a package for the whole job. Per-item rates help when the client is choosing their own accessories or when the spec changes between fix stages.

• Single socket (fit and connect): £15–£25
• Double socket (fit and connect): £20–£30
• Light fitting — simple pendant or downlight: £20–£40
• Light switch (single or double): £15–£25
• Extract fan (fit, connect and commission): £40–£80
• Consumer unit connections (terminate circuits, commission): £150–£300
• Full 3-bed second fix — all accessories, CU connections, testing and EIC: £1,000–£2,500

The wide range on the full 3-bed price reflects accessory spec. Standard white plastic throughout sits at the lower end; brushed steel or chrome throughout with USB sockets, smart switches and feature lighting pushes toward the top.

Materials costs

These are common materials reference prices (trade supply, 2026). Always buy materials yourself where possible — the margin helps cover your van, tools and procurement time.

• Twin & earth 2.5mm (100m drum): £80–£120
• Twin & earth 6mm (25m drum): £30–£50
• Twin & earth 10mm (25m drum): £50–£80
• Back box, single metal: £0.50–£1.50
• Back box, double metal: £0.80–£2.00
• RCBO (Schneider/Legrand, 6–32A): £10–£25 each
• Metal CU enclosure (18-way): £40–£80
• Socket outlet, white (MK/Crabtree/Schneider): £4–£12 each
• Socket outlet, brushed steel or chrome finish: £8–£25 each
• CAT6 cable (305m drum): £60–£100
• Smoke detector, mains-powered interlinked: £15–£35 each

Mark materials up at 15–25% as standard. On a larger new build this is meaningful revenue — a 3-bed house might use 6–8 drums of cable and 20–30 sockets.

Part P: compliance and certification

All notifiable electrical work in England and Wales must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. First fix and second fix on a new build or extension — including new circuits, consumer unit installation and alterations to existing circuits — is notifiable work.

There are two routes to compliance:

• Competent Person Scheme (CPS) member: NICEIC, NAPIT, SELECT (Scotland) or ELECSA registered electricians can self-certify. They notify building control on the homeowner's behalf as part of their membership. No separate building control application needed. This is how most domestic electricians operate.
• Building control application: If the electrician is not a CPS member, the client must notify local building control before work begins and pay the application fee (typically £150–£400).

Always confirm your registration status when quoting. Clients on new builds will often ask, and main contractors expect self-certification as standard. CPS membership costs £200–£600/year depending on scheme and business size — factor this into your overhead.

Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)

On completion of a new installation — or any new circuit — you must issue an EIC to the client. This is a three-part document covering design (circuit schedules), construction (method statement sign-off) and inspection & test results (insulation resistance, continuity, RCD trip times). The homeowner must keep it; it is needed for any future sale or mortgage valuation. Build the EIC into your second fix price — it is not optional and should never be omitted from a quote.

Day rates for electricians

If you are pricing by day rate rather than fixed price — for example, where the scope is uncertain or for variation work on site — these are current benchmarks:

• Experienced domestic electrician (sole trader): £180–£280/day
• Senior or specialist electrician: £250–£350/day
• London and South East premium: add 20–30%
• Electrician's mate / labourer: £100–£160/day

Day rates work well for first fix on complex jobs where cable routes are unclear until the frame goes up. For second fix — where the scope is defined by the number of accessories — fixed pricing is more transparent and usually preferred by main contractors and self-builders.

Quoting extension and new build electrics

A winning quote for new build or extension electrical work covers more than just the labour rates above. Follow this process:

• Survey the existing installation first. Check the consumer unit — is there capacity for additional circuits? Is the earthing system (TN-S, TN-C-S, TT) compatible? Is main bonding to gas and water in place? An undersized or outdated board may need replacing before any extension circuits can be added.
• Quote first and second fix separately. This gives the client clarity, makes stage payments natural and protects you if decoration overruns. Many electricians invoice 60% on first fix completion and 40% on second fix and certification.
• List materials as a separate line. Show materials at supply cost plus your markup — do not bury them in the labour rate. This is cleaner, easier to justify and easier to adjust if the client changes their accessory spec.
• Include the EIC in the second fix price. State this explicitly in your quote so it's clear what is covered. Clients value knowing Part P compliance is included.
• Clarify programme timing. First fix must be complete before plastering; second fix cannot start until plastering is fully dry and decoration is done. Agree lead times in writing.
• Define what is not included. Alarm systems, data/AV infrastructure, EV chargers and solar battery connections are often additional scopes. State this upfront.

Tracking which channels — builder referrals, Google, returning clients — bring in new build and extension electrical work helps you focus your marketing spend. If you win most of these jobs through one builder relationship, that's the partnership worth investing in.