Electrical installation cost in the Netherlands: 2026 prices

Installing new electrics in one room often costs €450 to €1,500. Rewiring or installing the electrics in an average home commonly costs €3,000 to €5,000, although a large property or complex renovation can cost more. The number of circuits, sockets, lighting points and cable metres determines the final price.

How much does electrical installation cost?

There is no reliable fixed price per home. Adding a few points to a bedroom is different from wiring an empty renovation property. Concealed and surface-mounted cables also require different amounts of work.

These are broad prices for planned work in the Netherlands. Premium accessories, smart controls, hard concrete walls and plaster repairs can raise the total. Request a quote based on a point and circuit plan.

What is included in the price?

The total normally includes planning, materials, labour, testing and handover. The electrician first maps sockets, switches, lighting points and fixed appliances. They then plan the cable routes and circuits.

Boxes, conduits and cables are installed before final accessories are fitted. Concealed work requires chasing and drilling. Surface-mounted work is often quicker but remains visible. The electrician tests circuits, protection, earthing and operation after connection.

Ask whether chasing, closing channels, waste removal, plastering and painting are included. These boundaries differ between contractors and can create unexpected extras.

What affects electrical installation costs?

Floor area alone is not enough for a dependable estimate.

• Number of points. Every socket, light and switch requires material and labour.

• Number of circuits. Kitchen equipment, a heat pump or EV charger may need dedicated circuits.

• Existing conduits. Usable routes save time. Damaged or full conduits may need replacement.

• Wall and floor type. Chasing hard concrete takes longer than working in an open stud wall.

• Access. An empty renovation is faster to work in than a furnished, finished home.

• Material choice. Standard accessories cost less than designer ranges and smart modules.

• Finishing work. Plaster repair and decorating may fall outside the electrician's quote.

Mark every required point on a floor plan before requesting prices. This makes quotations easier to compare and reduces changes during the project.

One room or a complete home?

Room-by-room work can be suitable when the rest of the installation is safe and serviceable. Common examples include a new kitchen, attic conversion or home office.

A property-wide plan is often better during a full renovation. Routes can be combined and circuits distributed correctly in one phase. This reduces the risk that recently finished work must be opened again.

A price per square metre can be misleading. Two homes of the same size may have very different numbers of outlets and circuits. Compare a defined schedule of work instead.

New electrics for a kitchen

A kitchen normally needs several dedicated connections. An oven, induction hob, dishwasher, boiling-water tap and fridge do not all place the same demand on the system. Worktop sockets also need careful positioning.

Have the kitchen plan checked early. Changing the layout after channels and cables are finished creates extra cost. A Perilex connection for an induction hob and a new circuit should be listed separately in the quote.

Rewiring an older Dutch home

Age alone does not decide whether all wiring must be replaced. The condition of cables, earthing, connections and protective devices matters. Arrange an assessment when there are repeated faults, heat, burning smells, damaged cables or many unearthed sockets.

An inspection can identify parts that remain usable. Existing conduits or newer sections may be incorporated into the plan. This can reduce materials, demolition and repair work.

Keep consumer-unit replacement as a separate scope. Moving to a three-phase connection is another distinct project, sometimes involving the grid operator.

Concealed or surface-mounted wiring

Concealed cables and boxes sit inside the wall. The result looks tidy, but installation requires chasing, drilling and later repairs. It is most efficient while walls are already being renovated.

Surface-mounted conduit remains visible. Installation is often faster and creates less dust. It can be practical in garages, storage rooms and technical areas.

Ask for both options when the finish is not fixed. Confirm who closes channels and restores the wall. A low electrical quote can become expensive when finishing work is excluded.

Sockets, lighting points and switches

Small jobs carry call-out, preparation and testing costs. Installing several points during one visit is therefore often cheaper per point.

The price depends on cable routes, walls, boxes and earthing. Plan sockets and switches together with doors, furniture and fixed appliances. For lighting, specify how each fitting is controlled and whether dimmers or smart controls are needed.

Outdoor electrical points need suitable protection and cables. Explain the exact location and intended equipment so the electrician can select the correct solution.

Circuit plan and future demand

A good installation supports current and expected use. Mention plans for electric cooking, a heat pump, solar panels, air conditioning or an EV charger. The electrician may reserve space or prepare routes without installing every future system now.

More circuits do not automatically provide more connection capacity. The main connection, phase distribution and simultaneous demand also matter. Ask the electrician to calculate the load.

Consumer unit, residual-current protection and three phase

The consumer unit distributes electricity and contains protective devices. New work may require a dedicated circuit, suitable residual-current protection or more space in the cabinet.

The electrician should measure the existing system before recommending replacement. Sometimes an extension is enough. In other properties, an old or unsuitable unit needs more work.

Three-phase power may be relevant to certain heavy appliances and chargers. Ask for the required output and connection type rather than accepting a vague description such as “power current”. Separate grid-operator charges from the electrician's work.

Can you install electrics yourself?

Electrical work carries a risk of shock, fire and short circuit. An online diagram does not replace measurements or knowledge of the existing installation. Use a qualified electrician for design, connection, protection and final testing.

You can prepare a floor plan and appliance list without opening electrical components. Discuss any demolition or channel preparation before doing it. Wrong positions can damage the building and increase labour.

Do not keep using a point that becomes hot, discoloured, smells burnt or crackles. Isolate the relevant circuit if this can be done safely and request an inspection.

How long does electrical installation take?

A small extension may take one day. One room can require one or several working days, depending on chasing and finishing. A complete home takes longer and must be coordinated with demolition, plastering, kitchen fitting and decorating.

Schedule first-fix electrical work before plastering and painting. Allow time for inspection before walls are permanently closed. Ask for milestones covering preparation, cable installation, accessory fitting, testing and handover.

How to reduce cost without reducing quality

Good preparation creates the largest saving. Finalise the layout before work starts. Choose one standard accessory range and avoid changes during installation.

Combine related work and provide clear access. Give the electrician existing plans or photographs when available. Ask for quantities, cable routes, circuits, chasing and finishing to be listed.

Compare quotations on identical scope. The lowest number is only cheaper when it covers the same materials, protection, tests and repairs.

Electrical installation quote checklist

A useful request includes:

• a floor plan with sockets, switches and lighting points;
• a list of high-load appliances;
• photographs of the current meter cupboard and installation;
• concealed or surface-mounted preference and accessory range;
• wall, floor, crawl-space and access information;
• responsibility for chasing, plastering and painting;
• timing and coordination with other trades;
• testing, handover and warranty.

Electrician costs: hourly rate, call-out and fixed price

An electrician can charge an hourly rate or a fixed price. Hourly work can suit fault finding, while a defined electrical installation often works better as a fixed-price job. The total price can also include call-out charges, materials and VAT.

Ask the electrician to show estimated labour and call-out cost separately. Weekend or emergency work may carry a surcharge. A planned project should state any additional costs and the process for approving them.

The final cost depends on access, cable routes and the number of circuits. Exact costs require a survey or detailed plans. Compare the same scope when you request a quote from an electrical company.

Electrical work and Dutch standards

Ask a competent electrician to assess, connect and test the new installation. NEN 1010 describes requirements for designing and installing low-voltage electrical systems; which parts apply depends on the project. Agree how the work will be tested and handed over.

Fuse box, distribution board and main connection

People use fuse box, consumer unit and distribution board for related parts of the installation. The electrician first identifies what is present. A modern distribution board may only need installing an extra circuit. An older fuse box may require broader work.

Three-phase equipment, charging stations and heat pumps can increase demand. The main connection and network operator then need attention as well. The network operator controls work before the consumer side of the connection; the electrician handles the installation inside the property.

Ask for connection costs and electrician work as separate lines. This makes the time and costs easier to understand and prevents a network-operator fee from being hidden inside the installation price.

Electrical problems, power failure and urgent work

This guide covers planned installation costs. A power failure or dangerous electrical problem has a different scope. If there is heat, smoke, a burning smell or repeated tripping, stop using the affected equipment and seek help.

Emergency electrician services may cost more because of call-out time and a surcharge. Ask for the hourly charge before booking when it is safe to do so. Do not treat a recurring fault as a reason to keep resetting the fuse.

If you need an electrician for planned repairs after the immediate risk is controlled, ask for diagnosis and permanent repair as separate stages. This keeps emergency and renovation costs clear.

Electrical services in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and across the Netherlands

Labour and call-out charges can vary by region. An electrician in Amsterdam or Rotterdam may plan travel, parking and access differently from a contractor in a smaller town. That does not change the technical safety requirements.

When comparing services in the Netherlands, give every electrician the same address, access notes and drawings. An electrician near the property may reduce travel time, but competence and complete scope remain more important than distance alone.

SkilledContractors helps homeowners compare an electrician for their job across the Netherlands. Request a free quote only after the points, circuits and finishing responsibilities are clear. That is the best way to find the best electrician for the actual work rather than the lowest incomplete estimate.

Types of electrical installation services

Electrical services can include installing electricity in a new room, electrical wiring for a renovation, socket work, lighting and a charging station. They can also include diagnosing electrical problems or adapting a fuse box for heavy appliances.

The cost of installing electricity depends on the number of circuits and new cables. Installing an extra circuit costs less than rewiring a complete house, but both need the right protection. Ask the electrician to determine the price from a written schedule.

For new electrical installation services, state whether the home stays occupied during the work. This affects access, protection and planning. A clear sequence keeps disruption and electricity costs under control.

A room-by-room plan before work starts

Walk through the home with a blank plan. Start at the front door. Mark each place where you need light or power. Use one clear mark for a socket. Use a new mark for a light and its switch.

Think about how each room will work. In a bedroom, mark both sides of the bed. Add a point for a desk. In the lounge, mark the TV, lamps and web gear. Leave spare points where the use may change.

In the kitchen, use the final unit plan. Mark the oven, hob, hood, fridge and wash unit. Add each small tool used on the worktop. Do not guess where the units will end.

In the wash room, list the washer and dryer. Say if both may run at once. Mark a light and a safe socket. Tell the electrician if the room is damp.

Check the hall, loft and shed. These spots are easy to miss. Add light by steps and doors. Plan power for tools or a bike if that use is likely.

Now count all marks. Put the count on the plan. Give the same copy to each firm. This lets each firm price the same job.

A plain check on the day of the job

Clear the route to each wall. Move rugs, lamps and small goods. Cover what must stay. Keep pets and young children out of the work zone.

Ask which rooms will lose power. Save your work and shut down key gear first. Keep a lamp or torch close. If you work from home, plan a safe place with power.

Do not open a box or touch bare wire. Let the electrician make the site safe. If the plan must change, agree the new price first. Write the change down.

Before the team leaves, test each point with them. Try each switch. Ask which switch in the board serves each room. Make sure all labels are clear.

Look at the finish. Each face should sit firm and straight. There should be no heat, smell or sound. Ask what wall repair still needs to be done.

Keep the plan, bill and test notes. Take new photos before fresh plaster hides the routes. Those photos can save time on the next job.

Frequently asked questions about electrical installation costs

How much does new wiring in a home cost?

A complete installation in an average home often costs €3,000 to €5,000. A large property, many points, difficult routes or premium materials can increase the total.

How much does installing electrics in one room cost?

A limited installation in one room often costs €450 to €1,500. The number of points, wall type, chasing and required circuits determine the final price.

Is a price per square metre reliable?

Only when a detailed scope is included. The number of sockets, lights, circuits and cable metres varies widely. A point and circuit plan gives a better comparison.

Must the consumer unit always be replaced?

No. The electrician checks whether it is safe and has enough capacity and space. An extension may be sufficient, while an outdated system may require replacement.

Can I save money by cutting the wall channels myself?

Discuss this with the electrician first. Positions and cable zones must match the design. Incorrect work can create damage, extra labour and repair costs.

Technical sources and price context

• NEN: NEN 1010 for low-voltage installations
• Enexis: responsibilities inside the meter cupboard

The ranges are editorial indicative examples for the stated scope, not official tariffs or SkilledContractors prices. Request a written quote based on the property and a point-by-point plan.