Electrical Contracting in Egypt: What the Service Covers and How to Choose the Right Company
When someone says 'I want an electrical contracting company', they typically mean one of two things: either electrical foundation wiring from scratch for an apartment or villa under construction, or finishing and installation for an existing project. Electrical contracting in Egypt isn't just a technician installing switches — it's an integrated system of planning, wiring, installation, and handover with a warranty. The difference between a real contracting company and a regular technician is: a contract, a supervising engineer, approved materials, and a work guarantee.
By the Ases Kahraba team — Last updated: April 2026
Quick Answer
Electrical contracting in Egypt covers foundation wiring, finishing, distribution boards, earthing, and lighting for apartments, villas, and buildings. A complete guide to what the service includes, 2026 prices, and how to choose a reliable electrical contractor in Cairo and Giza.
What Electrical Contracting in Egypt Covers
- Electrical foundation — the skeleton of the project: Running PVC conduits in walls and ceilings during construction, laying cables (El Sewedy or equivalent approved brand) from the panel to each point, and connecting the panel with circuits and breakers. This is where the number of points and cable cross-sections per circuit are determined — errors here cause fires later. Price: 90–140 EGP/m² depending on package (Bronze, Silver, Platinum).
- Electrical finishing — the visible face of the project: Installing switches and outlets, lighting fixtures, small distribution sub-panels, and safety devices (RCD/RCCB). In Egypt, common brands: Legrand Mosaic (40–70 EGP/point), BTicino Axolute (120–200 EGP/point), Panasonic Karre (50–90 EGP/point), ABB Busch-Jaeger. Labour for finishing: 25–45 EGP/m² depending on complexity.
- Distribution panel — the heart of the electrical project: Supply and installation of main and sub-distribution boards with MCB, RCCB, and SPD breakers. In Egypt, approved brands: Schneider Electric Easy9 or Acti9, Legrand XL3, ABB SACE. Panel for a 100 m² apartment: 3,000–8,000 EGP depending on brand and number of circuits. Panel for a villa or apartment building: 15,000–60,000 EGP.
- Earthing — the most neglected element in Egypt: Many old apartments have 'false earthing' (an N-PE bridge). A professional contracting company won't accept this — they run a real earthing cable from the earth electrode to the panel to every point. Cost of an earthing system: 2,000–8,000 EGP for an apartment, 8,000–30,000 EGP for larger buildings.
- Lighting and specialist wiring: LED lighting systems (interior and exterior), emergency units, cornice and façade lighting, and low-current wiring (data, TV, cameras, telephone exchange). Some contracting companies offer this as a comprehensive service — ask about it explicitly before signing.
- Elements of a proper electrical contracting agreement: Clear material specifications (cable cross-sections, brand names), Bill of Quantities (BOQ), implementation schedule, warranty terms (minimum 5 years on labour), and payment milestone terms. Missing any of these = red flag.
- Electrical contracting prices in Egypt 2026 — realistic estimates: 100 m² apartment (full foundation): 9,000–14,000 EGP labour only. 250 m² villa (foundation + finishing): 35,000–70,000 EGP labour. 6-storey building: 60,000–150,000 EGP depending on number of units. These are labour-only figures — materials are quoted separately.
- Warning signs when choosing an electrical contracting company: No written contract → immediate rejection. Price 40%+ below market → confirmed substandard materials. No supervising engineer → work without technical oversight. No written warranty on work. Full payment upfront → disappears afterwards. Materials from El-Ataba market with no stated specs → likely counterfeit.
Electrical Contracting Prices by Project Type — 2026
| Project Type | Price (Labour Only) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 80–100 m² apartment (foundation) | 7,200–14,000 EGP | 5–10 days |
| 120–150 m² apartment (foundation) | 10,800–21,000 EGP | 8–14 days |
| 200–300 m² villa (foundation + finishing) | 30,000–70,000 EGP | 3–6 weeks |
| 4–6 storey building | 45,000–120,000 EGP | 4–8 weeks |
| Shop / office 50–100 m² | 8,000–20,000 EGP | 5–10 days |
* Labour prices only. Materials (cables, conduits, panels) are quoted separately after a site visit.
FAQ — Electrical Contracting in Egypt
What is the difference between an electrical contractor and a regular electrician?
A regular electrician is an individual technician carrying out execution tasks. An electrical contractor is a registered company or business entity with: a supervising engineer, a work team, commercial registration, an operating licence, and formal contracts. The contractor is legally responsible for the work and provides a written warranty — a technician is legally bound by none of that.
How do I know if an electrical contracting company is reliable?
Five criteria: 1) A detailed written contract with a Bill of Quantities. 2) A syndicate-registered electrical engineer supervising the project. 3) Brand names specified in the contract (El Sewedy, Schneider, Legrand). 4) A written 5-year warranty on labour. 5) Payments tied to project milestones, not fully upfront.
Is the price for labour only or does it include materials?
The vast majority of contracting companies in Egypt price labour separately from materials. Some provide materials at wholesale prices and add them to the contract. Best practice: the contract should clearly state whether the price is 'labour only' or 'labour and materials', with exact specifications for each item.
How many payment instalments does an electrical contractor in Egypt receive?
Common practice: first instalment (20–30%) on contract signing and project start; second instalment (40–50%) on completion of foundation work and inspection; third instalment (20–30%) on final handover and commissioning. Full payment upfront is a risk — full payment on handover only is unrealistic and damages the contractor.
How much does electrical contracting for a 120 m² apartment in Cairo cost?
Foundation wiring for a 120 m² apartment (labour only): 10,800–16,800 EGP depending on package (Bronze 90 EGP/m², Silver 110 EGP/m², Platinum 140 EGP/m²). Electrical finishing is quoted separately: 3,000–6,000 EGP labour depending on the number of points. Materials (cables, conduits, panel) are estimated separately after a site visit.
Can I rely on a cheap contractor to save money?
Saving on electrical contracting costs multiples of the saving amount later. Undersized cable causes fires or repeated outages. Poor-quality conduits crack during finishing and require wall demolition. A panel with unknown breakers damages appliances. An unlicensed cheap contractor provides no warranty — they disappear after handover.
Does Ases Kahraba carry out complete electrical contracting for apartments and villas?
Yes. Ases Kahraba is an electrical contracting company that executes full foundation and finishing projects for apartments, villas, and buildings in Cairo and Giza. We provide a detailed contract, a supervising engineer, approved materials (El Sewedy, Schneider, Legrand), and a written 5-year warranty on labour.