According to the service life table, electrical installations last 15 to 40 years. Power installations and lines last the longest, while sockets, ISDN connections, switches, outlets and TV cable connections last the shortest. This does not mean that you have to replace a light switch, for example, which wears out more quickly than other components because of its moving parts, after 15 years. But you should think about electrical renovation sooner rather than later if you live in an older house or are considering buying an older house.
With our renovation calculator you can check the building fabric and the need for renovation and, for example, plan the renovation timing of electrical installations in a cost-optimized manner.
All costs in this article are estimates for average jobs and may differ from your project. If you want to know exactly, ask certified electricians from our partner network.
The cost of electrician work depends mainly on the cost of labor and materials. For smaller or simpler jobs such as hanging a lamp, one electrician is sufficient; for larger or more complex jobs, two electricians usually work together for safety reasons. Electricians charge 90 to 135 francs per hour, depending on the region. Electricians for more complex jobs cost a few Swiss francs more than installation electricians for simpler jobs. The cost of materials and consumables depends directly on your order.
Some electricians charge for their travel expenses. That is why it makes sense to hire electricians from the region and, if possible, perform the work in one day instead of several.
Simpler electrician work you could do yourself. For example, hang a lamp. But if you don't have time, are worried about your safety, or have other strengths, an electrician is a sensible choice. For small jobs, the cost seems high at first glance because of the flat rate for the small materials or travel. In case you want to optimize the cost, you could place different orders: Hang a lamp, install a dimmable light switch and replace the old TV cable connection. That way, you spread the fixed costs over different jobs.
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The cost depends directly on how elaborate the work is. Calculate 150 to 200 Swiss francs for a simple ceiling lamp, LED light or wall lamp, and 200 to 400 Swiss francs or more for a more difficult lamp, such as a chandelier. This estimate includes labor, travel, materials and supplies, and any additional services. The more lamps the electrician can hang, the less the job will cost per lamp.
Installing a new light switch is child's play for any electrician and can be done quickly. Calculate with 50 to 75 Swiss francs per switch plus material costs and fixed costs. The more light switches the electrician can replace, the less the job costs per switch.
Installing a new socket is also a finger exercise for an electrician. Expect to pay 30 to 50 Swiss francs per outlet, plus the cost of materials and fixed costs. The more sockets the electrician can replace, the less the job will cost per socket.
For a new building, you should expect to pay 3 to 5 percent of the construction costs or 100 to 200 Swiss francs per square meter of living space for the electrical installations, and for a renovation, 3 to 5 percent of the renovation costs. The cost range for an average single-family home is from 10,000 Swiss francs for a standard installation to 50,000 Swiss francs if you have motion detectors, dimmers, spotlights and temperature controllers installed in every room. Upwards, the costs are unlimited, depending on your demands and needs.
All prices are indicative only (as of 2023) so you can estimate the cost. If you want an exact offer, ask our certified electricians from your region.
