Ways to find an emergency electrician in London, compared
- Checked September 2026
- 4 min read
- By PROS AI editorial team
Quick answer
The short version, before the detail.
When the power trips at nine in the evening and will not reset, there are five ways to reach an electrician: a register or directory, a marketplace, a Google search, a neighbour, or a request through PROS AI. Each has a catch, and the checks are the same whichever you use. PROS AI UK LTD publishes this page, so read the PROS AI section with that in mind.
Is it an emergency, or can it wait until morning?
A burning smell or smoke from a socket or the fuse board, sparks, or water on electrics: switch off at the consumer unit if it is safe to reach, and call 999 if there is fire. If the whole street is dark it is a power cut: call 105, the free number that connects you to the electricity network operator, rather than an electrician. A circuit that trips, resets and stays on can usually wait for a cheaper daytime visit.
What are the ways to find an emergency electrician?
| Route | What it costs you to ask | Who you reach | What to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registers and directories | Nothing | A list of registered firms; you ring round | Nobody's availability tonight is shown |
| Marketplaces (Checkatrade, MyBuilder, Rated People, Bark) | Nothing to post | Tradespeople who choose to respond | Response depends on who is looking at the app at that hour |
| Google search | Nothing | Advertisers first, then listings | Ads are paid placements; check the firm behind the number |
| Neighbours and local groups | Nothing | Someone a neighbour has used | Recommended for planned work, not necessarily free tonight |
| PROS AI | Nothing to send the request | At most three local electricians, by text | At most three; London only |
How do registers and directories work?
The Registered Competent Person Electrical site (electricalcompetentperson.co.uk) finds an electrician by postcode or checks a company by name; every firm listed is authorised by government to self-certify its work under the Building Regulations. NICEIC and NAPIT run their own searches. Trading Standards' Buy With Confidence scheme lists traders its officers have checked, though as of 30 September 2026 only Barking and Dagenham, Hackney and Havering take part in London. General directories such as Yell list businesses with reviews.
A register verifies the registration at source. It shows nothing about who can come tonight, so you ring round, and nothing about workmanship.
How do marketplaces work?
You post the job free and tradespeople respond. Checkatrade members pay a monthly membership on a 12-month term. On MyBuilder the tradesperson pays a shortlist fee only when you shortlist them, and you can invite up to ten yourself. Rated People has been part of Checkatrade Group since 17 September 2026 and says its jobs are now handled by Checkatrade members. On Bark, up to five professionals pay credits to contact you.
You get reviews and the platform's sign-up checks to read. For an emergency the catch is timing: the response depends on who is watching the app at that hour, and because the tradesperson pays to answer, expect a call to confirm the job first.
What about a Google search?
At the top of a search for an emergency electrician you see Local Services Ads, where businesses pay per lead and a Google Verified badge means the business passed Google's screening, followed by other listings. The firm that appears first paid or optimised for the spot. Check the trading name on the site against the competent person register, and get the call-out fee and first-hour rate by text before anyone sets off.
Should you just ask a neighbour?
A street WhatsApp group, Nextdoor or a local Facebook group gives you someone a neighbour has used. It is one data point, the electrician may be booked, and the recommendation was probably for planned work. London Trading Standards recommends word of mouth from someone you trust or a member of a reputable approved trader scheme, and says to check that approval claims are true.
How does PROS AI work for an emergency?
You describe the fault and PROS AI passes it by text to at most three local electricians; whoever is free calls you. It is a request, not a directory, so there is no list to browse and no reviews to read on the way. The limits are plain: at most three electricians receive it, PROS AI covers London only, and if none of the three can come tonight you are back to the other routes. The electrician pays PROS AI for the lead.
What should you check before an emergency electrician starts?
- Registration. Check the company name on electricalcompetentperson.co.uk. A new circuit or a consumer unit replacement is notifiable under Part P, and a registered firm can self-certify it.
- The price, in writing. Ask what the call-out fee covers. London electricians publishing 2026 rates quote a daytime call-out including the first hour at roughly £60 to £150 and a night first hour at £100 to £200, then an hourly rate.
- Identity. The name on the van, the invoice and the register entry should match.
- Insurance. NICEIC tells householders to check for public liability insurance of at least £2 million, a prerequisite of NICEIC registration.
- Paperwork afterwards. A certificate for the work done, and for notifiable work the Building Regulations notification through the scheme.
- Payment. Citizens Advice says not to pay everything up front.