Guides

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in the UK?

Actual rewiring costs for different property sizes, what affects the price, and how to get a proper fixed-price quote rather than a rough estimate.

17 February 202610 min read

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?

A rewire is a big job, and the price depends on the property. Here's what to expect so you can compare quotes properly.

Typical UK Rewiring Costs

These include a new consumer unit, all new wiring, sockets, switches, testing, and certification:

1-bed flat: £2,000 to £3,500
2-bed house: £3,000 to £5,000
3-bed semi: £4,500 to £7,000
4-bed detached: £6,000 to £9,000
5-bed house: £8,000 to £12,000+

Yorkshire prices tend to be lower than London and the South East.

What Affects the Price?

Property age

Pre-war houses often have more complex wiring routes and old cables (lead, rubber-sheathed) that take longer to replace. Expect to pay 15-20% more than a modern equivalent.

Number of floors

A bungalow is quicker than a three-storey townhouse. More floors means more vertical cable runs and more disruption.

Existing wiring

A property that's been partially rewired can actually take longer because the electrician has to trace circuits and work out what's new and what's old.

Consumer unit

A rewire always includes a new one, but if yours is already modern, that reduces the cost a bit.

Extra circuits

Adding an EV charger circuit, electric shower supply, or outdoor lighting during the rewire adds to the bill but it's much cheaper than doing it later.

Making good

Chasing cables into walls means replastering afterwards. Check whether this is included in the quote or if it's your responsibility.

What's Included?

A full rewire from us includes:

New consumer unit with RCD/RCBO protection
All new circuit wiring (twin-and-earth cable)
New sockets and switches in every room
Updated lighting circuits
Hardwired smoke and heat detectors
Full electrical testing
Electrical Installation Certificate
NAPIT notification to Building Control

How Long?

1-2 bed: 3-5 days
3 bed: 5-7 days
4-5 bed: 7-10 days

We work room by room so you can stay in the house. There's always power to at least part of the property.

Do You Actually Need a Full Rewire?

Not always. Sometimes a partial rewire, consumer unit upgrade, or targeted repairs will sort the issue. Signs that point towards a full rewire:

Consumer unit keeps tripping or blowing fuses
Burning smells from sockets or switches
Discoloured or warm sockets
Flickering lights in several rooms
Rewirable fuses with no RCD protection
Round-pin sockets or fabric-covered wiring
Failed EICR with C1 or C2 findings

Not sure? Book an EICR first. That'll tell you exactly what state your wiring is in.

Getting a Proper Quote

Online estimates give you a ballpark. For an actual fixed price, you need a site survey. Ours are free. The electrician will look at the existing wiring, discuss what you need, and give you a written quote with no hidden fees.

Get an online estimate for a rough idea, then book your free survey for the real number.

Common Questions

Can I stay in the house? Yes. We do it room by room, so there's always somewhere to use. Power stays on to at least one circuit for the fridge, phone chargers, etc.

Will a rewire add value? Yes. Modern wiring with a valid certificate is a selling point. Properties with dodgy or uncertified electrics can be harder to sell and often get lower offers.

Will I need to redecorate? Usually some replastering and touch-up painting where cables have been chased in. We try to use existing routes where we can. We can recommend local plasterers if needed.

Do I definitely need a full rewire or would a partial one work? Depends on the wiring. If only part of it is deteriorated, a partial rewire can be enough and a lot cheaper. An EICR will tell you which bits need attention. We'll give you honest advice on the right approach.

What certificates do I get? An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) confirming the work meets BS 7671:2018 standards. We also notify Building Control through NAPIT, so you don't need to arrange that separately.

Get a Quote

Get in touch for a free site survey, or get an online estimate. We cover Pontefract, Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, and the rest of Yorkshire.