Whether you are building a new house in a society, adding a floor, or fixing a breaker that trips every time the AC starts, the electrician you pick decides how safe your home is for the next 20 years. Wiring disappears behind plaster. Bad work stays hidden until something overheats.
This guide explains what electricians and electrical contractors do in Lahore, how to pick one, how pricing is usually worked out, and what to watch for.
Electrician or electrical contractor: what is the difference?
In everyday Lahore usage, an "electrician" is usually an individual tradesman or a small team that does repairs, fittings and small jobs. An "electrical contractor" usually takes responsibility for a whole scope — full house wiring, a commercial fit-out, a building's main supply — and can provide documentation such as a wiring test report.
That distinction matters when you deal with LESCO. Under NEPRA's Consumer Service Manual, a test report from the Electric Inspector or an authorised wiring contractor must be submitted before a connection is energised (NEPRA CSM amendment, clause 2.7.2). For small repairs, a skilled electrician is fine. For new connections, load changes and full wiring, use someone who can sign off the test report.
Services in this category
| Service |
What it is |
When you need it |
| House wiring |
Conduit, wiring, switch and socket points, circuits from DB to each room |
New build, gray-structure stage, full renovation, old aluminium or damaged wiring |
| Load extension & meter application help |
Preparing documents, test report and follow-up for a new LESCO meter or higher sanctioned load |
New house, adding ACs or floors, bills flagging unauthorised load |
| Distribution board & breaker upgrade |
Replacing the DB box, adding breakers, separating circuits, adding RCD protection |
Frequent tripping, old fuse boards, new heavy appliances |
| Earthing installation |
Earth pit, earth conductor and bonding to sockets and DB |
New house, shocks from appliances, no earth in old wiring |
| Generator & UPS installation |
Changeover switches, UPS/inverter circuits, battery placement, generator connection |
Load shedding backup, home offices, clinics and shops |
| Fault finding & repairs |
Tracing short circuits, burnt points, loose connections |
Sparking, burning smell, partial power loss |
| Lighting & fan fitting |
Fixtures, ceiling fans, exhausts, outdoor lighting |
Finishing stage, upgrades |
| Commercial & plaza work |
Three-phase distribution, sub-mains, panels |
Shops, offices, plazas, small factories |
How to choose an electrician in Lahore
- Match the job to the person. Small repairs need a reliable electrician. Full wiring, three-phase work, or anything that needs a test report needs a contractor who has done it before and can show it.
- Ask about the test report. If your job ends with LESCO energising or changing your connection, ask upfront whether they can provide the wiring test report as an authorised wiring contractor.
- Check engineering involvement for bigger jobs. For plazas, commercial buildings and large houses, an electrical design should be prepared or reviewed by a qualified engineer. Engineers in Pakistan are registered with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC); ask for the engineer's PEC registration number and verify it with PEC.
- See past work. Ask for two or three recent jobs in Lahore you can visit or phone the owner of. Look at the DB box — neat, labelled boards are a good sign.
- Get a written scope. It should list the number of points, wire and conduit type, DB and breakers, earthing, and who supplies materials.
- Agree on testing at handover. Insulation and earth tests, labelled circuits, and a simple drawing of which breaker controls what.
How pricing usually works
There is no single fixed rate. Electricians in Lahore usually price in one of these ways:
| Pricing basis |
Typical use |
| Per point (switch, socket, light or fan point) |
House wiring, labour-only or labour + material |
| Lump sum |
Whole-house wiring package, DB replacement, earthing pit |
| Per square foot of covered area |
Some contractors quote full wiring this way at gray-structure stage |
| Per visit / call-out plus parts |
Repairs and fault finding |
| Day rate |
Small jobs with unclear scope |
What moves the price:
- Labour-only vs labour + material. Copper wire, conduit, DB boxes and breakers are a large share of cost. Labour-only is cheaper on paper but you carry the material risk.
- Number of points and circuits. More rooms, more AC points and separate circuits all add up.
- Single-phase or three-phase. Three-phase work needs more cable, a larger DB and more careful balancing.
- Material grade. Wire gauge, copper purity, breaker quality and RCD protection.
- Concealed vs surface work. Cutting chases in finished walls costs more than wiring at gray-structure stage.
- Documentation. Test reports, load calculations and LESCO follow-up are often priced separately.
Rates change with copper prices and the season, so get at least two or three written quotes on the same scope.
Process from request to completion
- Post your request with plot size, number of floors, stage of construction, and what you need.
- Site visit. The contractor checks the structure, existing wiring, meter and DB location, and your appliance plan (ACs, geyser, motor, UPS).
- Load and point plan. Agree on the number of points per room, AC circuits, and where the DB, UPS and earth pit will go.
- Written quote. Compare quotes line by line, not just the total.
- Material check. If the contractor supplies material, check wire and breaker packaging against what was quoted before it goes into the wall.
- Installation. Conduits first (before plaster), then wiring, then fittings at finishing stage.
- Testing and handover. Insulation and earth checks, labelled DB, and the test report if a LESCO application is involved.
- Final payment after testing and a walk-through.
Red flags
- No written scope — only a verbal "sab ho jayega".
- Refuses to say which wire gauge or brand grade they will use, or swaps material after quoting.
- Wants most of the money upfront before any material reaches the site.
- Joins wires inside walls without junction boxes.
- No earthing in the plan, or "earth is not needed".
- One breaker for the whole house, or AC circuits shared with lights.
- Offers to "arrange" a test report without testing the wiring.
- Offers to bypass the meter or hide load — this is theft of electricity and puts you at legal risk.
FAQs
Electrician chahiye for a small job — do I need a contractor?
No. For repairs, a new socket or a fan, a skilled electrician is enough. Use a contractor when the job involves full wiring, three-phase supply, or a LESCO test report.
Who provides the wiring test report for LESCO?
NEPRA's Consumer Service Manual requires a test report from the Electric Inspector or an authorised wiring contractor before energisation (NEPRA). Ask your contractor upfront whether they can issue it.
When should wiring start in a new house?
Conduit is laid at gray-structure stage, before plaster, so walls do not need to be cut later. Wires are pulled and fittings installed during finishing.
Can I buy materials myself?
Yes. Many owners buy wire, conduit and breakers themselves to control quality and hire labour only. Get the contractor's material list in writing first so nothing is missed.
Why does my breaker trip when the AC starts?
Common causes are an overloaded circuit, an undersized breaker, a loose connection or a fault in the appliance. Have an electrician test it — do not just fit a bigger breaker.
Is solar or UPS work done by the same electricians?
Many electricians handle UPS, inverter and changeover wiring. Larger solar systems are usually done by specialist installers; electricians may connect them to your DB.
Sources
Information only. Confirm scope, price and terms in writing with the provider before you pay.