How Much Does Rewiring a House Cost?
A full rewire costs more the larger the property, but the age and condition of the existing wiring, and how much disruption you can tolerate, also affect the price. Here's what to expect.
Short answer: a full rewire typically costs from around £3,500 for a one or two-bedroom flat, £5,000 to £8,000 for a three-bedroom semi, and £8,000 to £12,000 or more for a larger four or five-bedroom house, though access, the number of sockets and fittings, and the condition of walls and floors all affect the final figure.
What's included in a full rewire
A full rewire replaces the cabling throughout the property, all sockets, switches and light fittings, and installs a new consumer unit. It's carried out in two stages: first fix, where cables are run through walls, floors and ceilings before they're plastered over, and second fix, where sockets, switches and fittings are connected once decoration is underway.
What pushes the cost up
- Property size and number of circuits: more rooms means more cable runs, sockets and lighting circuits
- Solid floors and walls: chasing cable routes into solid walls or lifting solid floors takes longer than working with timber floors and stud walls
- Number of sockets and fittings: extra sockets, dimmer switches, outdoor lighting and similar additions all add to the total
- Making good: most electricians don't include plastering and redecoration after chasing walls, so factor this in separately unless it's specifically quoted
Partial rewire as an alternative
Not every property needs a full rewire. Where the main cabling is sound but specific circuits are outdated or a consumer unit upgrade is needed, a partial rewire targeting the affected areas can be a more proportionate and cheaper option. An electrician can advise which applies after inspecting the existing installation.
Getting an accurate price
Because so much depends on what's behind your walls and floors, a reliable quote needs a proper site visit rather than a phone estimate. We inspect the existing installation, confirm what's required, and provide a written quote along with the Electrical Installation Certificate once the work is complete.
Costs vary by property, specification, access and location, and change over time. The figures here are general guidance for typical UK projects at the time of publication, not a quotation. For an accurate cost for your own project, request a written, itemised quote.
Talk to us about your project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind. We'll arrange a site visit and provide a written, itemised quotation.