For most homes this is a same-day job with no drama — a survey, an install, some paperwork the installer handles for you. Here's what actually happens, and what tends to push the cost up.
What the installer actually does
- A survey first — checking your consumer unit (fuse box) has capacity for another circuit, the earthing arrangement, and the cable route from the consumer unit to where the charger will sit.
- The physical install — running a dedicated circuit, mounting the unit, and connecting it, usually in a few hours for a straightforward job.
- Notifying your electricity network (DNO) — a standard single 7kW charger on an ordinary single-phase supply is normally just a notification the installer files, not something that needs approval before work starts.
- Certification — the completed installation has to be certified against UK wiring regulations and notified under Building Regulations Part P. Your installer should give you this paperwork; keep it, especially if you ever sell the house.
What typically pushes the cost up
| Factor | Typical extra cost |
|---|---|
| Standard 7kW install, short cable run | Included in the £800–£1,200 typical range |
| Trenching for a longer cable run | Roughly £30 per metre, plus digger hire if needed |
| Consumer unit upgrade | From around £350, if your fuse box can't take the new circuit as-is |
| Isolator switch | Roughly £100–£200, sometimes required depending on your setup |
Do you need a three-phase supply?
Almost certainly not. Three-phase power is what a faster 22kW charger needs, and most UK houses only have a single-phase supply. Getting three-phase installed specifically for home charging is expensive and slow, and it solves a problem most owners don't actually have — a standard 7kW charger already fully recharges most EVs overnight on ordinary single-phase power. Three-phase upgrades occasionally come up for larger properties already considering one for other reasons (like a heat pump or workshop), but it's not something to pursue for charging alone.
DNO notification vs prior approval
A single standard-power charger on a typical home is normally handled as a straightforward notification to your electricity network operator (DNO), which your installer takes care of — you shouldn't need to contact them yourself. Prior approval (rather than just notification) is more likely to apply if you're installing a 22kW three-phase charger, adding more than one charger to the property, or your local area happens to be flagged as electrically constrained — all edge cases for most homes.
Costs here are typical ranges from published UK sources, not a quote — always get two or three quotes from qualified local installers, and confirm whether your installer is OZEV-approved if you're planning to claim the OZEV grant.