Complete cost guide for UK industrial and factory electrical installations. Per square metre estimates (£18–£65/m²), 3-phase distribution, motor control centres, VSD drives, cable containment systems, ATEX hazardous areas, and compliance. Manufacturing unit £15,000–£100,000+.
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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.
UK industrial electrical installation costs typically run £18–£65/m² depending on load density and motor control. A 1,000m² light industrial unit is around £18,000–£40,000; a 3,000m² medium manufacturing facility £100,000–£290,000; and a large 10,000m²+ plant with full motor control centre and HV substation £500,000–£2,000,000+. These are indicative market rates, not a quote.
Motor control centres and variable speed drives are the single largest cost element in most manufacturing facilities. Always obtain a detailed tender against drawings and an equipment schedule before contract.
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Written by a UK registered electrician. Verified against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 and IET Guidance Note 3 (9th Ed, 2022).
Industrial electrical installations are fundamentally different from commercial premises in scale, complexity, and the standards that apply. The primary cost drivers are the installed electrical load (dominated by motor-driven plant), the distribution architecture (often requiring a dedicated HV substation for larger sites), and the motor control infrastructure (motor control centres, variable speed drives, PLCs).
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Industrial electrical costs are best understood on a per square metre basis, as the building footprint gives a reasonable first approximation of the infrastructure required before detailed equipment loads are established.
| Premises type | Rate (£/m²) | Example size | Example total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light industrial / storage | £18–£30 | 1,000 m² | £18,000–£30,000 |
| Medium manufacturing | £30–£50 | 2,000 m² | £60,000–£100,000 |
| Heavy manufacturing / food processing | £45–£65 | 5,000 m² | £225,000–£325,000 |
| Specialist / hazardous area (ATEX zones) | £65–£120+ | 1,000 m² ATEX area | £65,000–£120,000+ |
These are guide rates for estimating purposes. A detailed tender from a qualified industrial electrician based on drawings and equipment schedules is always required before contract. Per-metre rates exclude the HV substation where required.
The 3-phase distribution system is the backbone of an industrial electrical installation. Almost all industrial premises take a 3-phase 400V supply — see single-phase vs three-phase for why single-phase is rarely sufficient. Getting the distribution architecture right at the design stage avoids costly alterations as production capacity grows.
In a manufacturing facility, motor control equipment is frequently the single highest cost element of the electrical installation, often exceeding the distribution and containment costs combined. Understanding the different control options and their costs is essential for accurate budgeting.
| Control method | Indicative cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Direct On Line (DOL) starterContactor + thermal overload, motors below ~4kW (sometimes to 7.5kW) | £200–£600 | Pumps, fans, conveyors where full-speed inrush is acceptable |
| Soft starterReduces starting inrush; no steady-state energy saving (15kW unit) | £400–£900 | Pumps, compressors, conveyors where starting torque is non-critical |
| Variable Speed Drive (VSD / inverter)Varies motor speed to the process; 30–60% saving on fans/pumps (15kW drive) | £800–£2,000 | Fan and pump loads; payback of 1–4 years is common |
| Motor Control Centre (MCC)Complete assembly housing starters/VSDs for ~20 motors with PLC interface | £80,000–£200,000 | Central control of many motors; add £15,000–£40,000 install & commissioning |
Figures are indicative market guidance for the equipment only, not a quote. For balanced three-phase board and motor circuit design, see our three-phase installation guide.
Cable containment in industrial buildings serves both a protective and an organisational function. Heavy-gauge steel cable ladder supports main distribution cables at high level; perforated cable tray handles secondary distribution; steel conduit protects final circuit cables in areas subject to mechanical damage, vehicle traffic, or chemical attack.
| Containment type | Typical size | Installed cost | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy cable ladder | 300–600mm wide, 50mm deep | £40–£120/m | Main HV/LV distribution at high level |
| Medium cable tray | 150–300mm wide, perforated | £20–£55/m | Sub-distribution, motor feeders, control cabling |
| Steel conduit | 20–32mm heavy gauge | £12–£30/m | Machine final circuits, areas of mechanical damage |
Bends, tees, and reducers add £80–£300 each depending on size. Ex-rated (explosion-proof) conduit is required in ATEX zones — see the hazardous-area section below.
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Industrial premises where flammable gases, vapours, or dusts may be present require electrical equipment certified for use in explosive atmospheres. The UK Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) require employers to classify hazardous zones and use equipment with the appropriate ATEX/UKCA marking.
| Hazard | Zone | Likelihood of explosive atmosphere | Typical UK examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas / vapour / mist | Zone 0 | Present continuously or for long periods | Inside tanks and vessels (relatively rare) |
| Zone 1 | Likely in normal operation | Spray booths, solvent handling areas | |
| Zone 2 | Unlikely, and only briefly if it occurs | Areas around flanges and pumps | |
| Combustible dust | Zone 20 | Present continuously or for long periods | Inside dust-handling plant |
| Zone 21 | Likely in normal operation | Flour mills, grain stores | |
| Zone 22 | Unlikely, and only briefly if it occurs | Areas adjacent to dusty processes |
Zone 1 and Zone 21 are the most common in UK industrial premises. Equipment selection, erection, and inspection of installations in these areas are governed by the BS EN IEC 60079 series.
Costs below are for a representative medium manufacturing facility of approximately 3,000m² with moderate motor loads. Labour and materials, excluding VAT and DNO/substation connection charges.
| Element | Indicative cost |
|---|---|
| Main LV switchboard (400–800A TPN) | £8,000–£25,000 |
| Sub-distribution boards and 3-phase distribution | £15,000–£40,000 |
| Motor control centre (10–20 motors, DOL/VSD mix) | £30,000–£120,000 |
| Cable containment (ladder, tray, conduit) | £18,000–£55,000 |
| Lighting and general power | £12,000–£30,000 |
| Emergency lighting (BS 5266-1) | £4,000–£10,000 |
| Fire alarm system | £4,000–£12,000 |
| Total — 3,000m² medium manufacturing facility | £100,000–£290,000 |
Light industrial unit (1,000m²)
£15,000–£40,000
Heavy manufacturing / food processing (10,000m²+)
£500,000–£2,000,000+
All figures are indicative market guidance for estimating, not a quote. They exclude VAT and DNO/substation connection charges.
Industrial EICRs are among the most technically demanding periodic inspections in the electrical sector. Distribution boards, MCCs, motor starters, VSD panels, and emergency systems must all be inspected and tested, often without shutting down production.
Industrial electrical work demands a higher level of technical knowledge than domestic or light commercial work — 3-phase distribution design, motor control, ATEX regulations, and BS EN 60204-1 machine safety wiring. Electricians who develop these skills command higher day rates and access a client base that provides long-term maintenance and project contracts.
Use the Elec-Mate quoting app to produce detailed itemised quotes for industrial projects. Issue EICRs for multi-board factory inspections and track each board separately.
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