Cost guide · 6 min read
Electrician rates in Penang — call-outs, rewiring, MCB upgrades
Real Penang electrician pricing — RM 80 minimum call-out, RM 60-180 per power point, RM 4,500-12,000 for a full rewire, plus the TNB and CIDB rules that determine who can legally do what.
- Published
- 14 May 2026
- Updated
- 14 May 2026
- Trade
- electrician
A Penang electrician costs RM 80-150 for a minimum call-out, RM 60-180 per new power point, and RM 4,500-12,000 for a typical full rewire of a 3-bedroom condo or shophouse floor. The variance is mainly about scope: a single tripped MCB is a 30-minute visit; a full rewire is a 2-3 week job that involves TNB testing and certification.
What an electrician charges for
Pricing falls into three buckets:
- Per-visit call-out — a flat fee covering the trip + the first 30-60 minutes of work. Minor jobs (replace a faulty switch, reset a tripped MCB, diagnose a non-working ceiling fan) usually fit in this.
- Per-point pricing — a fixed price per power point, lighting point, or fan/aircon point. Used for renovations and additions.
- Project pricing — full or partial rewires, MCB board upgrades, three-phase conversions. Quoted as a single number with a written scope.
Common job prices
Single-visit jobs
| Job | Typical price (Penang) |
|---|---|
| Call-out (first 30-60 min) | RM 80-150 |
| Replace faulty switch / socket | RM 30-60 (plus call-out if first job of visit) |
| Diagnose tripping MCB / loose connection | RM 80-150 (inclusive) |
| Replace ceiling fan (existing point) | RM 80-180 |
| Install pendant light (existing point) | RM 60-120 |
| Add doorbell + chime | RM 180-350 |
| Replace water-heater connection | RM 120-280 |
Most independent electricians have a 90-minute minimum on the visit. If you have two or three small jobs, batch them — labour is the same.
Per-point pricing (renovation context)
| Item | Typical installed price |
|---|---|
| 13A power point (basic) | RM 60-110 |
| 13A power point (USB combo / brushed nickel) | RM 110-180 |
| Light point (downlight ready) | RM 50-90 |
| Ceiling fan point (with looped switch) | RM 90-160 |
| 3-phase aircon point (1.5-2.5HP) | RM 180-350 |
| Bathroom isolator switch (waterproof IP rating) | RM 120-220 |
| Dimmer switch (LED-compatible) | RM 80-180 |
| USB-C wall charger point | RM 150-280 |
These prices assume an existing conduit can be reused (or new conduit run in plaster during a wider renovation). Surface-mounted "skim line" alternatives are 30-50% cheaper but visibly uglier.
Project-scope work
Full rewire — 3-bed condo (1,000-1,200 sqft): RM 4,500-7,500. Includes new MCB board, new conduit throughout, ~30-40 power points, ~25-35 light points, ~6-8 fan/aircon points.
Full rewire — single floor of a shophouse (~1,500 sqft): RM 7,500-12,000. Adds complexity from older fabric, sometimes structural conduit chasing, often needs TNB re-test certification.
MCB board upgrade (single-phase 60A to single-phase 100A): RM 1,800-3,500. Includes new consumer unit, RCDs / RCBOs, certification.
Single-phase to three-phase conversion: RM 6,500-12,000 plus TNB connection upgrade fee (varies by area, typically RM 2,000-5,000). Required for: aircon load > 6HP total, induction kitchens, EV chargers > 22kW. TNB application takes 4-8 weeks.
EV charger install (Type 2, single-phase 7kW): RM 2,800-4,500 including the charger unit and dedicated MCB. Three-phase 22kW chargers need the three-phase conversion above first.
Who can legally do what
Three license tiers cover residential work:
- Wireman (JKR competent person) — most common. Can install and maintain wiring up to specific load. Issues completion certificates for renovation work.
- Chargeman — higher tier, required for industrial or large commercial. Most residential jobs don't need one.
- TNB-certified contractor — required to commission new connections, upgrade meter, or do work at the incoming-supply side of the meter.
The phrase "tukang elektrik" or "handyman who does electrical work" covers a wide range — some are unlicensed. For any work touching the consumer unit, requiring TNB sign-off, or being part of a renovation that needs Certificate of Completion + Compliance (CCC), insist on a wireman's license number. Cheaper unlicensed work fails inspection and can void home insurance.
How to compare quotes
Three things make electrician quotes comparable:
- Conduit type. PVC, galvanized, or flexible? UNESCO core shophouses often require galvanized or flexible. RM 4-12 per metre difference adds up across a project.
- Switch + socket brand. A "Schneider Avataron" point is RM 35-55; a generic point is RM 8-15. The "per-point" price changes by RM 30-50 depending on brand.
- MCB / RCD spec. ABB, Schneider, MK Electric, and Hager are the common quality brands. Generic-brand MCBs (off the shelf at Mr DIY) work but trip imprecisely and are not recommended in any space with sensitive electronics.
Ask for the brand list and unit prices on each quote. A "lump sum" with no part list is impossible to compare.