House Rewire Cost UK 2025
A full house rewire in the UK costs between £3,000 and £10,000+ depending on property size and complexity. A typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house costs £4,500-£6,500 including labour, materials, consumer unit, and electrical certification. Prices exclude making good (plastering and decorating).
£3,000
2-Bed Terrace
£5,500
3-Bed Semi
£8,000+
4-Bed Detached
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House Rewire Costs by Property Type (2025)
Average UK prices including labour, materials, consumer unit and certification. Excludes making good.
| Property Type | Price Range | Duration | Typical Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bed Flat | £2,000 - £3,000 | 3-4 days | 15-25 |
| 2-Bed Terraced House | £3,000 - £4,500 | 5-7 days | 25-35 |
| 3-Bed Semi-Detached | £4,500 - £6,500 | 7-8 days | 35-45 |
| 3-Bed Detached | £5,500 - £7,500 | 7-9 days | 40-50 |
| 4-Bed Detached | £6,500 - £10,000 | 8-10 days | 50-65 |
| 5-Bed / Large Property | £10,000 - £15,000+ | 10-14 days | 65-100+ |
Prices based on Q4 2024 / Q1 2025 market rates. London and South East typically 20-30% higher. Scotland, Wales, and Northern regions 10-15% lower.
What's Included in a Full House Rewire?
Included in Price
- ✓New consumer unit with RCBOs and main switch (replaces old fuse box)
- ✓All new cables - twin and earth throughout property
- ✓Socket outlets - typically double sockets throughout
- ✓Light switches and ceiling roses - standard white plastic
- ✓Smoke/heat detectors - mains wired (Building Regs requirement)
- ✓Electrical testing - full inspection and test
- ✓EIC certificate - Electrical Installation Certificate
- ✓Building Regs notification (if electrician is registered)
Usually NOT Included
- ✗Making good - plastering chased walls, filling holes
- ✗Decorating - painting after plastering
- ✗Flooring repairs - replacing lifted floorboards
- ✗Light fittings - decorative pendants, spotlights (basic roses only)
- ✗Designer switches/sockets - chrome, brass, etc. (extra)
- ✗EV charger circuit - typically quoted separately
- ✗Outdoor circuits - garden lighting, outbuilding supplies
Budget tip: Making good (plastering) typically adds £500-£1,500 depending on property size. Get a separate quote from a plasterer, or ask your electrician if they can arrange this as part of the job.
How Electricians Price a House Rewire
Understanding the pricing method helps you evaluate quotes and spot unrealistic prices.
Survey the Property
Count rooms, check floor type (suspended timber is easier than solid concrete), assess loft and void access, note any special requirements like outbuildings or high ceilings.
Calculate Points Required
Count socket outlets, lighting points, and fixed appliance connections. A typical 3-bed has 35-45 points. More points = more cable, more time.
Estimate Labour Days
2-bed = 5-7 days, 3-bed = 7-8 days, 4-bed = 8-10 days. First fix (running cables) takes ~60% of time, second fix (fitting accessories, consumer unit) takes ~40%.
Calculate Materials Cost
Consumer unit £150-£400, cable £500-£1,500 (depending on property size and cable runs), accessories £300-£800, back boxes, clips, sundries £100-£200.
Add Labour Cost
Multiply days by day rate. Typical electrician day rates: £200-£280 (regions), £280-£350 (London/South East). Include half day for testing and certification.
Apply Regional Adjustment
London and South East: +20-30%. Midlands: baseline. Scotland, Wales, North: -10-15% from national average.
Typical Cost Breakdown: 3-Bed Semi-Detached
Example breakdown for a standard 3-bed semi requiring ~40 points:
Factors That Increase Rewire Cost
🏠 Property Type
- • Solid concrete floors (no void access)
- • Multi-storey without loft drops
- • Older properties with lath and plaster
- • Listed buildings (special requirements)
📍 Location
- • London: +25-35%
- • South East: +15-25%
- • Scotland/Wales/North: -10-15%
- • Remote areas: +travel costs
⚡ Specification
- • High-end consumer unit (+£100-200)
- • Metal clad or designer sockets (+£300-800)
- • Extra circuits (EV prep, garden office)
- • Smart home wiring infrastructure
🔧 Access and Complexity
- • No loft access = surface/trunking
- • Occupied property = careful working
- • Asbestos artex (specialist removal)
- • Three-storey properties
Calculate Your Electrical Project
Free BS 7671 compliant calculators for UK electricians
Use our electrical calculators to size cables correctly for your rewire, check voltage drop on long runs, and ensure your installation meets BS 7671 requirements.
Do I Need to Rewire My House?
Warning signs that indicate your property needs rewiring:
🚨 Urgent Signs
- • Burning smells from sockets or switches
- • Frequent fuse trips or RCD nuisance tripping
- • Scorch marks or discolouration on accessories
- • Sparking when plugging in appliances
- • Tingling sensation from metal surfaces
⚠️ Warning Signs
- • Old fuse box without RCDs
- • Fabric or rubber-sheathed cables
- • Round-pin sockets still in use
- • Mix of old and new wiring (bodged additions)
- • Property not rewired since pre-1980
Recommendation: If your property was built before 1980 and has not been rewired, get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from a registered electrician. This will identify any safety issues and confirm whether rewiring is needed. An EICR typically costs £150-£300.
Getting Rewire Quotes: What to Look For
✓ Good Quote Includes
- • Itemised breakdown (labour days, materials, CU spec)
- • Exact number of socket and lighting points
- • Consumer unit make and specification
- • Smoke detector locations and type
- • Clear statement of what is excluded (making good)
- • Electrician scheme registration number (NICEIC/NAPIT/ELECSA)
- • Timeline estimate and payment terms
✗ Red Flags
- • Single lump sum with no breakdown
- • Price significantly below market rate (30%+ cheaper)
- • No scheme registration or cannot provide number
- • Demands large deposit upfront (10-20% is normal)
- • Will not provide written quote
- • Can start tomorrow (good electricians are booked ahead)
Tip: Always get 3 quotes minimum. The cheapest is rarely the best - look for the quote that best balances price, specification, timeline, and the electrician's communication and professionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pricing Guides
Consumer Unit Upgrade
Fuse box replacement costs
Coming soonEV Charger Installation
Home charging point costs
Coming soonEICR Testing
Electrical inspection costs
Coming soonImportant Notes
- • Prices shown are estimates based on 2024/2025 market rates and will vary by location and specification
- • Always use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, etc.)
- • Rewiring is notifiable work under Part P Building Regulations - ensure proper certification
- • Get multiple itemised quotes and check reviews before committing
- • This guide is for information only and does not constitute professional advice
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