How much does a shop electrical fit-out cost in the UK? This guide covers typical prices from £3,000 to £15,000+, 3-phase supply, commercial lighting design, emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, and data cabling.
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Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
A UK shop fit-out electrical installation typically costs £3,000 to £15,000+. A small retail unit (50–100m²) runs £3,000–£6,000; a medium unit £6,000–£10,000; a large unit £10,000–£15,000+. A 3-phase DNO supply upgrade adds £1,000–£3,000+. Costs cover power, lighting, emergency lighting, fire alarm and data cabling — fixtures and finishes are separate.
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Commercial shop fit-outs are among the most complex and rewarding electrical projects. They combine power distribution, commercial lighting design, emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, data cabling, and EPOS infrastructure — all to a tight programme and coordinated with shopfitters, plumbers, and mechanical services.
The typical cost range for a shop electrical fit-out is £3,000 to £15,000+ depending on the size of the unit, the complexity of the installation, and whether a supply upgrade is required. Small retail units at the lower end, large or specialist units at the higher end.
This guide breaks down the costs by element, explains the regulatory requirements for commercial premises, and covers the key systems that must be installed.
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The following table shows typical costs for the electrical elements of a commercial shop fit-out. Prices include materials and labour.
Small shop (50–100m²)
Basic lighting, power, emergency lighting, simple fire alarm
£3,000 – £6,000
Medium shop (100–250m²)
Designed lighting, multiple circuits, fire alarm, data cabling
£6,000 – £10,000
Large shop (250m²+)
3-phase distribution, extensive lighting, full fire alarm, structured cabling
£10,000 – £15,000+
3-phase supply upgrade (DNO application)
Application, survey, installation by DNO, new main switchgear
£1,000 – £3,000+
Emergency lighting system
Maintained/non-maintained luminaires, exit signs, testing system
£500 – £2,000
Fire alarm system (Category L3)
Detection in escape routes, manual call points, sounders, panel
£800 – £1,500
Data cabling (Cat6 infrastructure)
EPOS points, back-office, WiFi APs, CCTV preparation, patch panel
£800 – £2,500
The first step in any shop fit-out is assessing the existing power supply and determining whether it is adequate for the projected load. This involves a maximum demand calculation based on the equipment schedule:
The decision is driven by the maximum demand calculation, not the floor area alone — a compact unit with commercial catering can exceed a single-phase supply, while a large dry retail unit may not. If a new or upgraded supply is needed, the electrician submits an application to the DNO (Distribution Network Operator). The DNO will survey the site, issue a quotation, and schedule the connection works. This process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks and must be factored into the project programme.
Lighting is one of the most visible and impactful elements of a shop fit-out. Good commercial lighting design combines ambient lighting, accent lighting (for products and displays), and task lighting (for tills, stockrooms, and work areas):
Retail lighting must also meet energy efficiency requirements under Part L of the Building Regulations. The maximum lighting power density depends on the building type and activity — for retail display areas, the allowance is typically 12 to 15 W/m² for LED installations.
Emergency lighting is a legal requirement in all commercial premises. It must provide sufficient illumination for safe evacuation when the normal lighting fails. The system must comply with BS 5266-1 and be specified based on the fire risk assessment:
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A fire alarm system is required in all commercial premises under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. The system category depends on the fire risk assessment and is specified under BS 5839-1:
Detection and warning in escape routes only. Manual call points at exits. Sounders audible throughout the premises. This is the minimum category for most small to medium retail shops with straightforward layouts and no sleeping risk. Typical cost: £800 to £1,500 installed.
Adds detection in rooms opening onto escape routes and in high-risk areas (such as kitchens, electrical switch rooms, and storerooms). Required for larger shops and premises with higher fire risk. Typical cost: £1,500 to £3,000 installed.
The fire alarm system must be designed, installed, and commissioned by a competent person. The system must be maintained in accordance with BS 5839-1, with weekly tests, quarterly inspections, and annual servicing. The maintenance contract is a recurring revenue opportunity for electricians qualified in fire alarm work.
Modern retail relies on connectivity. EPOS (Electronic Point of Sale) terminals, card payment machines, stock management systems, digital signage, CCTV, and staff WiFi all require a structured data cabling infrastructure:
Data cabling should be installed during the first-fix stage alongside the electrical cabling. This avoids costly retrospective work once ceilings and walls are finished. A typical data cabling package for a small to medium shop (4 to 8 EPOS points, 2 WiFi APs, 4 CCTV runs, back-office connectivity) costs £800 to £2,500.
Commercial electrical installations must comply with a broader set of regulations than domestic work:
An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) must be issued for all new commercial installations. The certificate confirms compliance with BS 7671 and should be retained in the premises fire safety file. BS 7671 Reg 644.4 requires the designer to record the recommended interval to the first periodic inspection on the EIC at handover — this is a mandatory entry, not an optional note. The interval is based on risk assessment; GN3 guidance suggests 5 years as a starting point for most commercial premises, subject to the specific conditions of the installation (GN3 Reg 3.4).
The A4:2026 amendment revised the Appendix 6 model forms used for certification, adding dedicated fields for recording the details of SPDs and AFDDs. Electricians completing an EIC for a commercial fit-out that includes these protective devices must ensure those fields on the model form are completed. The schedule of test results has also been redrafted into a separate schedule of circuit details and a separate schedule of test results.
Commercial shop fit-outs are among the highest-value projects available to electrical contractors. A single fit-out can be worth £3,000 to £15,000+ for the electrical package, with ongoing maintenance contracts for emergency lighting testing, fire alarm servicing, and periodic EICR inspections.
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