Rewiring cost by property size
Typical cost for a full rewire, including a new consumer unit and testing.
| Property size | Typical cost | Rough duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | £2,500 to £4,000 | 3 to 5 days |
| 2-bed house | £3,500 to £5,000 | 5 to 7 days |
| 3-bed house | £4,000 to £6,000 | 7 to 10 days |
| 4-bed house | £6,000 to £8,000 | 10 to 14 days |
| 5-bed / large house | £8,000 to £12,000+ | 2 to 3 weeks |
Add for redecoration afterwards, chasing walls means plastering and painting once done.
What a full rewire includes
A rewire is more than new cable, it replaces the whole installation.
| Element | What it covers |
|---|---|
| New wiring | All circuits replaced throughout the property |
| Consumer unit | New fuse board with modern RCD/RCBO protection |
| Sockets and switches | New accessories and additional sockets where needed |
| Lighting circuits | New light fittings, switches and ceiling roses |
| Earthing and bonding | Bringing safety earthing up to current standards |
| Certification | Electrical Installation Certificate and building control sign-off |
Signs a house needs rewiring
Look for these when viewing or in the survey:
- An old fuse box with rewireable fuses rather than modern circuit breakers.
- Round pin sockets, black rubber or fabric-covered cabling.
- No RCD protection on the consumer unit.
- Frequent tripping, flickering lights or scorched sockets.
- An installation over 25 to 30 years old with no record of updates.
- A poor or unsatisfactory EICR (electrical condition report).
Get an EICR before assuming the worst
An Electrical Installation Condition Report (£150 to £400) tells you whether a full rewire is really needed or whether a partial upgrade will do. It is far cheaper than a rewire and a smart first step on any older property.
How to keep rewiring costs down
Ways to manage the cost of a rewire:
- Do it before you move in or decorate, so making good is not wasted work.
- Consider a partial rewire if only some circuits are unsafe.
- Get three quotes from registered electricians and compare what is included.
- Agree upfront whether plastering and redecoration are part of the price.
- Combine the rewire with other first-fix work like plumbing to avoid reopening walls.
Budget the rewire before you offer
Our refurbishment planner includes a rewiring allowance and an EICR line, so you can add the likely electrical cost to your renovation budget and reserve before committing to an older home.