What goes into an electrical repair cost?

Electrical repair cost: call-out charges

An electrician charges a call-out to come to your home and trace the fault, then prices the repair separately. In the directory, 4 companies publish a call-out line, and all 4 price it per visit, before any repair.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published call-out rates

For the most common unit (per visit), the lowest published call-out rates from 4 companies run from S$40 to S$300 per visit, per visit, before any repair. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.

See 4 published call-out rates and sources

Lowest matching advertised rate per company, in SGD as published. "From" marks a starting price and ranges are shown in full. Check the source for minimums, GST and inclusions.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Fix My Heater	Transport & inspection fee (waived when repair proceeds)	S$40 per visit	fixmyheater.sg
Sin & Goh Electrical Engineering	Basic attendance / call-out fee	S$40 to S$80 per visit	wireman.com.sg
Yeobuild HomeRepair	Call-Out Charges	S$70.85 per visit	yeobuild.com.sg
Mirza M&E Engineering Pte.Ltd.	Call-out	S$300 per visit	mirzaengineering.com.sg

As printed, their rates run from S$40 to S$300 per visit. The two middle rates differ, so we do not give a single middle figure. One line runs from S$40 to S$80 per visit. Another is a transport and inspection fee that is waived when the repair proceeds. Check what each price covers before you book.

The call-out is only the first part of the electrician repair price. Once the fault is found, you should get a separate figure for the fix, which may include parts and labour. Ask for both in writing so you can compare quotes on the same basis. Our guide to the electrician call-out fee explains this charge in more detail.

Power trip troubleshooting

In the directory, 3 companies publish a power trip troubleshooting line, all priced per job. All 3 start at S$50 per job, as printed.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published power trip troubleshooting rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published power trip troubleshooting rates from 3 companies run from S$50 to S$50 per job (middle rate S$50), to trace and fix one power trip. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average.

See 3 published power trip troubleshooting rates and sources

Lowest matching rate per company, in SGD as published.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Lito Electrical Service	Power Trip Troubleshooting	From S$50 per job	litoelectrical.com
Repair.sg	Resolve power trip	From S$50 per job	repair.sg
Sin & Goh Electrical Engineering	Power trip troubleshooting	S$50 to S$200 per job	wireman.com.sg

The scope as printed is to trace and fix one power trip. Two lines are printed as from S$50 per job, and the third runs from S$50 to S$200 per job. Treat S$50 as a starting rate and check what each price covers, such as whether a replacement part is included.

Before you call, note which breaker tripped and what was running at the time, such as the water heater, the aircon or a kettle. If everything around the DB box is dry, switch off or unplug what was running, then try the tripped breaker once. If it trips again, leave it off and call a Licensed Electrician. Do not reset it if you smell burning, see scorch marks or the switch or DB box feels hot.

Compare companies for this job on our power trip repair page.

What else may be quoted

Once the fault is traced, the fix is usually priced per item. Items that may appear on the quote include:

• replacing a socket or a switch
• replacing a light or a light fitting
• work on the DB box, such as a circuit breaker
• new or replacement wiring

Parts may be extra. Ask whether each price covers the part as well as the labour, or only the labour. If you have bought a light or a switch yourself, ask whether the company will install it and how that changes the price.

Ask too whether the price includes removing the old item and testing the circuit once the work is done. If the electrician finds more than one fault, ask for each one to be listed with its own price.

For published rates on other electrical jobs, see our electrician prices page.

Who may do the work

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says electrical work at home should be carried out or supervised by an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW). EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. For a landed house, engage a Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW): EMA says the class of LEW to engage depends on the scale of your electrical installation. See EMA's page on engaging Licensed Electrical Workers.

HDB does not allow wiring to be embedded in reinforced concrete slabs, beams, columns, walls or wall plaster; wiring is housed in metal or high-impact PVC conduit. New wiring is tested by SP Services using Form CS/5H endorsed by HDB, applied for through your LEW. See HDB's renovation guidelines for electrical works.

If a repair involves new wiring, ask how it will be run and whether your LEW will apply for the test. Before you hire, ask the company to confirm that an LEW will carry out or supervise the job. Our guide to which electrical jobs you should not DIY explains where the line sits.

Reading the quote

A clear quote tells you what was found and what you are paying for. Before you agree, check that it lists:

• the fault found
• each part, named and priced
• the labour
• how the call-out is treated if you go ahead
• any warranty on workmanship, and how long it lasts

The Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) says overloading wall socket outlets can cause fire hazards. It also says that if an appliance has damaged or frayed cords, you should stop using it immediately and get the cords replaced. If the visit turns up either problem, ask for it to be noted on the quote. Read CPSO's tips on keeping your home safe from electrical hazards.

If anything on the quote is unclear, ask before the work starts rather than after. Our electrical quote checklist has more questions to ask.

Questions