Budgeting: Rewiring cost: what to expect for a full house rewire
Rewiring cost for a whole house depends on its size and how much making good is needed afterwards. In a worked example, rewiring a three-bedroom house costs 6,000, plus 1,500 for plastering and decorating.
By Wealtie Team · 3 min read
Key takeaways
- Rewiring cost depends on the size of the home and how much needs replacing.
- Plastering and decorating afterwards add a big extra cost.
- Rewiring is cheapest when done before other renovations.
- Use a qualified electrician and keep the certificate.
How much does rewiring cost?
Rewiring means replacing the electrical cables, sockets, switches and often the consumer unit (fuse box) throughout a home. It's usually needed in older properties where the wiring is outdated, damaged or no longer safe for modern use. Rewiring cost depends on the size of the home, how easy it is to reach the cables, how many sockets and lights you want, and how much repair work is needed afterwards.
Here's a worked example for a full rewire of a three-bedroom house, in round numbers that work in any currency:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Electrician's labour | 3,500 |
| Cable, sockets and switches | 1,500 |
| New consumer unit | 600 |
| Testing and certificate | 400 |
| Plastering and decorating | 1,500 |
| Total | 7,500 |
The electrical work itself comes to 6,000, and making good afterwards adds 1,500. A partial rewire, like one floor or a kitchen, might cost around 2,000. Prices vary by area and electrician, so get several local quotes.
How do you know if you need a rewire?
The age of the wiring
Very old wiring, often found in homes that haven't been updated in decades, may not be safe or able to handle modern appliances.
Warning signs
Flickering lights, frequent tripping, scorch marks, buzzing sockets, a burning smell or old fabric-covered cables are signs to get an electrician to check.
An old fuse box
A consumer unit with old rewireable fuses rather than modern breakers can be a sign the system needs updating.
A survey or inspection
A home survey or an electrical inspection may recommend rewiring. If you're buying a home, it's worth knowing before you agree a price. The upfront costs of buying a home covers other costs to plan for when buying.
An electrician can carry out an inspection and tell you whether you need a full rewire, a partial one or just some repairs.
What affects the cost?
Size of the home
More rooms mean more cable, more sockets and more labour.
Access
Homes with solid walls, finished floors or little loft and underfloor space take longer to rewire.
Number of sockets and lights
Adding more sockets, outdoor lights or smart features raises the cost but is cheapest to do during a rewire.
Living in the home during the work
Rewiring an empty home is quicker and cheaper. If you're living there, the electrician may need to work room by room.
Making good
Cables are often run through walls and under floors, which means chasing out plaster and lifting floorboards. Plastering and redecorating afterwards can be a large cost.
How do you keep rewiring costs down?
Do it before other work
Rewire before plastering, decorating or fitting a new kitchen. Doing it afterwards means damaging new finishes. How to plan a home renovation budget covers ordering big jobs.
Plan your sockets carefully
Think about where you'll want sockets, lights and charging points for years to come, so you don't pay to add them later.
Get several quotes
Ask at least three qualified electricians for itemised quotes that include testing and certification.
Decorate yourself
If you're handy, doing the decorating yourself after the plastering can save money. How to save money on decorating has tips.
Why should you use a qualified electrician?
Electrical work can be dangerous, and in many places, rules require major work to be done or checked by a qualified electrician and certified. A certificate shows the work meets safety standards, and you'll need it if you sell the home. Cheap, unqualified work can be unsafe and may need redoing.
How do you budget for a rewire?
Plan for the full cost
Include electrical work, making good and decorating in your budget, not just the electrician's quote.
Add a buffer
Set aside about a tenth of the total for surprises, like damaged joists or extra plastering.
Save ahead if you can
If an inspection shows rewiring will be needed in a few years, start saving now. A sinking fund for home repairs spreads the cost.
If you're planning a rewire, it's a good moment to think about future needs. More sockets in the kitchen and home office, outdoor power for the garden, wiring for an electric car charger and data cables for a reliable internet connection are all much cheaper to add while walls and floors are already open. Writing a list room by room before the electrician quotes helps you get an accurate price and avoids paying for a second visit later.
Ask the electrician how long the work will take and how much disruption to expect, so you can plan around it. Some families stay with relatives for a few days during the noisiest stages, which can make the job quicker and cheaper.
How can Wealtie help you plan the work?
Set a budget for the rewire and log payments in home expense categories, like electrics and decorating. You'll see how much is left as the work progresses and keep a record of what the job cost.
Questions people ask
Costs vary by size and area. In a worked example, rewiring a three-bedroom house cost 6,000, or 7,500 with plastering and decorating.
Signs include very old wiring, flickering lights, frequent tripping, scorch marks and an old fuse box. An electrician can inspect it.
Yes, often, though it takes longer and may cost more, since the electrician works room by room around you.
Before other renovations like plastering, decorating or a new kitchen, so new finishes aren't damaged.
This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.
