Electrical Contractors in Ireland
A qualified electrical contractor is essential for solar panel installations, EV charger fitting, fuse board upgrades, and home rewiring. In Ireland, all electrical work must be carried out or supervised by a Safe Electric registered electrical contractor (REC) to comply with national wiring rules (ET 101).
Typical rates for electricians in Ireland range from €45–€80 per hour, with most solar and EV-related jobs costing €200–€2,000 depending on scope. Always ensure your electrician is registered with Safe Electric and carries appropriate insurance.
Last updated March 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
Electrical contractors in Ireland charge €45–€80/hour. All electrical work must be done by a Safe Electric registered contractor (REC). For solar panel installations, your solar installer typically handles electrical work. For standalone jobs like fuse board upgrades (€400–€800) or EV charger installation (€200–€500), hire a Safe Electric REC directly.
What do electrical contractors do?
Electrical contractors handle all aspects of electrical installation, maintenance, and testing in residential and commercial properties. For homeowners investing in renewable energy, electricians are involved in nearly every upgrade:
Solar PV installations
AC wiring, inverter connection, meter board upgrades, and grid connection for solar panel systems.
EV charger installation
Dedicated EV charging circuits, wallbox installation, and consumer unit upgrades for home chargers.
Fuse board upgrades
Replacing old fuse boards with modern consumer units with RCDs and MCBs for safety.
Home rewiring
Full or partial rewiring of older properties to meet current wiring standards (ET 101).
Battery storage systems
Wiring and commissioning home battery systems alongside solar PV installations.
Testing & certification
Periodic inspection and testing, completion certificates, and electrical safety reports.
Certifications and regulations
In Ireland, electrical work is regulated to ensure safety. All domestic electrical work that is “restricted” (new circuits, fuse board changes, etc.) must be done by a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC).
| Certification | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Electric (REC) | Registered Electrical Contractor — regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) | Legally required for all restricted electrical work in Ireland |
| RECI | Register of Electrical Contractors of Ireland — one of the approved regulatory bodies | Validates competence, issues completion certificates |
| SEAI Registered | Listed on SEAI's register of contractors for grant-eligible work | Required for SEAI-funded solar, EV charger, and heat pump grants |
| ET 101 Compliance | Ireland's national wiring rules standard (based on IEC) | All new and modified electrical installations must comply |
Completion certificates
After completing restricted electrical work, a Safe Electric registered contractor must issue a Completion Certificate. This certificate confirms the work complies with ET 101 wiring rules and is safe. You need this certificate for SEAI grant claims, insurance purposes, and when selling your home. Always request your certificate and keep it safe.
Electrical contractor costs in Ireland
Electrician rates in Ireland vary by region and job complexity. Dublin and urban areas tend to be at the higher end.
| Job | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate (electrician) | €45–€80/hr |
| Call-out fee | €60–€120 |
| Fuse board/consumer unit upgrade | €400–€800 |
| EV charger installation | €300–€500 (labour) |
| Solar PV electrical work (AC side) | €500–€1,500 |
| Battery storage wiring | €300–€800 |
| Full house rewire (3-bed semi) | €4,000–€8,000 |
| Partial rewire / circuit addition | €500–€2,000 |
| Periodic inspection & testing | €150–€300 |
| Three-phase supply upgrade | €1,500–€3,000 |
Prices include VAT at 23%. Materials are additional unless otherwise stated. Always get written quotes before work begins.
Electrical work for solar panel installations
Solar PV installations require significant electrical work beyond just mounting panels on the roof. A qualified electrician handles:
- Consumer unit assessment — checking if the existing fuse board can accommodate the solar circuit
- AC wiring from the inverter to the consumer unit
- Inverter installation and connection (typically beside the consumer unit)
- Generation meter installation for tracking solar output
- Export meter setup for microgeneration payments
- Earthing and bonding of the solar array
- G98/G99 compliance for grid connection (required by ESB Networks)
- Testing, commissioning, and issuing a completion certificate
Most solar installation companies include the electrical work in their quote. However, some use subcontracted electricians. Either way, ensure the electrician is Safe Electric registered and provides a completion certificate. See our solar installation guide for the full process.
Get quotes from certified installers
Compare quotes from SEAI-registered contractors for solar, EV chargers, and electrical upgrades.
Get a Quote ↓Electrical work for EV charger installation
Installing a home EV charger requires a dedicated 32A circuit from your consumer unit to the charging point. This is restricted electrical work that must be done by a Safe Electric registered contractor.
Standard installation
- Dedicated 32A circuit from consumer unit
- 6mm² or 10mm² cable (depending on length)
- Type A or Type B RCD protection
- Cable run up to 15 metres from consumer unit
- Completion certificate issued
When extra work is needed
- Consumer unit upgrade (if no spare ways)
- Longer cable runs (>15m require heavier cable)
- External earthing upgrades
- Three-phase connection (for 11–22 kW chargers)
- Load management devices (to prevent overload)
See our EV charger guide for full installation details and SEAI grant information.
How to choose an electrical contractor
Check Safe Electric
Verify registration at safeelectric.ie. Only RECs can issue completion certificates for restricted work.
Get multiple quotes
Compare at least 3 written quotes. Ensure they include materials, labour, VAT, and certification.
Check insurance
Ensure the contractor has public liability insurance (minimum €1.3M) and employer's liability if they have employees.
Ask about experience
For solar or EV work, choose an electrician with specific experience in renewable energy installations.
Check reviews
Look for Google reviews, Trustpilot ratings, and ask for references from recent similar projects.
SEAI registration
For grant-eligible work (solar, EV chargers), confirm the contractor is on the SEAI registered list.
Avoid unregistered electricians
Using an unregistered electrician for restricted work is illegal and dangerous. You won't receive a completion certificate, which means: no SEAI grant, potential insurance issues, problems when selling your home, and safety risks. Always verify Safe Electric registration before hiring.
Electrical Contractor FAQ
What is a Safe Electric registered electrician?
A Safe Electric Registered Electrical Contractor (REC) is an electrician who is registered with Safe Electric (regulated by the CRU). They are qualified to carry out all electrical work and issue completion certificates for restricted work. This registration is legally required for new circuits, fuse board changes, and other restricted work in Ireland.
Do I need a registered electrician for solar panels?
Yes. The electrical connection of solar panels to your home's grid is restricted work that requires a Safe Electric registered contractor. They must issue a completion certificate. This is also required to claim your SEAI solar grant.
How much does an electrician charge per hour in Ireland?
Electricians in Ireland typically charge €45–€80 per hour, with Dublin rates at the higher end. Most jobs are quoted as fixed prices rather than hourly. A call-out fee of €60–€120 is common for smaller jobs.
What is a completion certificate?
A completion certificate (also called a cert) is an official document issued by a Safe Electric registered electrician after completing restricted electrical work. It confirms the work meets ET 101 wiring standards and is safe. You need it for SEAI grants, insurance claims, and house sales.
Do I need a fuse board upgrade for solar panels?
It depends on the age and capacity of your existing fuse board. Modern consumer units with spare ways can usually accommodate a solar circuit. Older fuse boards (pre-2000) may need upgrading (€400–€800) to add the required circuit breakers and RCD protection.
Can any electrician install an EV charger?
Only a Safe Electric registered electrician can legally install an EV charger in Ireland, as it involves adding a new dedicated circuit (restricted work). For the SEAI EV charger grant, the installer must also be on SEAI's approved list.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
A full rewire of a 3-bed semi-detached house takes 5–7 days. This includes replacing all cables, installing a new consumer unit, and fitting new sockets and switches. Partial rewires (e.g., one floor) take 2–3 days.
How do I find a registered electrician near me?
Use the Safe Electric website (safeelectric.ie) to search for registered contractors by county. For solar and EV charger work, also check the SEAI registered contractors list at seai.ie. Getting quotes through a trusted platform like SolarInfo ensures you're connected with verified, qualified contractors.
Related Guides
Sources
- Safe Electric: Registered Electrical Contractors
- CRU: Electrical Safety Regulation
- SEAI: Home Energy Grants
- NSAI: ET 101 National Wiring Rules
Last updated: March 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the Irish solar energy market since 2023. He fact-checks all content against official SEAI data and maintains relationships with SEAI-registered installers across Ireland.
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