After Hours Electrician Cost: Emergency Electrician Rates

There’s no doubt about it - an electrical emergency after hours can be a nightmare. Whether you’re faced with a power blackout or outage, a broken fuse box, faulty safety switch, or electrical damage caused by storm or lightning, getting a qualified, experienced, and reliable after hours electrician on-site ASAP is absolutely imperative. But how much does an after hours electrician cost?

​How much you can expect to pay for an emergency electrician will depend on a number of factors like scope of the job, labour required, parts needed, and nature of the emergency. Below, we’ll delve further into these factors to help you work out just how much you can expect to be charged.

​The importance of a qualified emergency electrician

​The first thing to remember in an emergency electrical situation is never to try and fix the electrical issue yourself. Undertaking any serious electrical work around the home on your own is fraught with danger. Always make sure you are engaging the services of a licensed professional before getting anyone on-site. 

Any emergency electrical work will need to be conducted by a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP). As a level 2 ASP, that electrician will be legally allowed to carry out a repair, maintenance, or installation on service lines that run between a property and the main electrical supply network. For emergencies that involve the electrical supply network, you will need to, by law, engage with the services of a level 2 ASP.  

​Electrician costs

​Typically, electricians charge by the hour for their services. The hourly rate for an electrician will vary and can be anywhere between $80 to $130 per hour. Coupled with the initial call-out fee, which in the case of an emergency, will be much higher, you can expect to pay well over $150 at least in after hours electrician rates.

​Factors influencing emergency electrician costs

1. Time taken to complete the job

​AKA labour costs, how long an emergency electrician takes to complete your job will impact total costs. Some jobs require only a quick fix, and you will just be charged the call-out fee. Other more complex electrical emergencies demand a more time-intensive solution, and you will be charged at either the electricians' standard hourly rate or their after-hours hourly rate. These rates add to your after hours electrician cost at between $80 to $150 per hour.

2. Nature of the emergency

​Depending on the nature of your electrical emergency, your electrician might charge you a variable fee. Some electricians, like Cowley Electrical, will charge by the job, not by the hour, and will instead give you a flat rate based on the job that needs doing.

For example, cable work in an emergency is one of the most expensive jobs and requires an electrician with more advanced qualifications. On the other end, emergency work that requires a simple replacement or fix, like flickering globes or a new circuit breaker, will incur a lower standard fee.

​3. Parts needed

​Some electricians will add a separate cost for the parts used in completing work. Ranging from light fixtures to new circuit breakers, there will undoubtedly be a small parts fee added to your emergency electrician cost. Should you opt for higher quality parts, you might have a more expensive final cost.  

​On the other hand, if you already have the required materials, the amount you will have to pay for the emergency work will be lower. Always remember that if you do have the parts needed to fix your issue, leave the actual work to a licenced electrician, or you could risk doing more damage to the property or void your insurance.

​4. Location

​For more remote locations experiencing an electrical emergency, expect to pay a premium to get an electrician out to you after hours. Always check your local electrician's service area before contacting to avoid critical delays in an emergency. 

Cowley Electrical operate throughout the South Coast of NSW and provides essential after-hours assistance to clients in the region.

​5. Time of day

​There is a notable difference between the cost of an emergency electrician and an after hours electrician. An electrical emergency can occur at any time of the day, and you can expect to pay between $100-$130 call-out fee for a same-day emergency electrical issue during standard working hours.

Conversely, an after hours emergency will demand a higher rate. If you have an electrical issue in the middle of the night, you should expect to pay closer to a $200 call-out fee for emergency electrical services.

These call out-fees are just the amount you will need to pay in initial emergency electrician costs. You will need to factor in the amount for any actual work done once the electrician arrives, which will be the labour cost and any required parts.

​6. Access to the affected area 

​Electrical emergencies often accompany severe weather. In the case of electrical damage during or following a storm, after hours electrician costs may not affect you at all, as conducting electrical work during a storm puts the electrician at risk. 

Ensure you only contact an electrician if your issue is contained inside or under shelter, or else you might not be able to receive service until the following day when the weather is clear. 

​Have a reliable emergency electrician on your side 

​Proper electrical work is key to the functionality and safety of your older or brand-new home. It’s important to get your wiring set up right the first time to avoid accidents wherever possible. However, we can't control the elements, so It's always worth being prepared for an emergency with the contact number of a local electrician that operates after hours. Cowley electrical provides an after-hours electrician cost that is easy on the wallet and will help keep the lights on! When it comes to any electrical work in your home, make sure you hire the best. 

As the premier south coast electricians, our emergency electrician service ensures your home or commercial property is operating with electricity, safely. What's more, unlike other electrical companies, we charge by the job, so you'll know exactly how much you will have to pay in an emergency, with no hidden costs. 

We've outlined your likely emergency electrician cost, but if you need a specific quote, fast, then call the experts at 0411 457 441 next time you have an emergency.