The cost to rewire a house in the UK can vary considerably depending on the size of the property, its condition and the specification you choose. For a typical home in 2026, you could be looking at anywhere from around £3,000 for a small property to £10,000 or more for a larger house.
Rewiring a house is one of the bigger electrical jobs a homeowner can face, so it’s understandable that cost is usually the first question.
For a typical UK home, a full rewire can cost several thousand pounds, with the final price depending on the size of the property, its condition, how accessible the wiring is and the specification you choose.
In this guide, we’ll explain what you can realistically expect to pay in 2026, what is normally included in a rewire and the factors that can push the price up or down.
How much does it cost to rewire a house in the UK?
As a general guide, homeowners might expect a full rewire to cost approximately:
| Property | Typical budget |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat | £3,000–£4,500 |
| 2-bedroom house | £4,000–£5,500 |
| 3-bedroom house | £5,000–£7,500 |
| 4-bedroom house | £6,500–£10,000+ |
| Larger properties | £10,000+ |
These figures should be treated as a guide rather than a quotation. Labour rates, location, specification, access and the amount of making good required can all make a significant difference to the final cost.
What is the average cost to rewire a house?
For a typical three-bedroom UK house, a reasonable 2026 budget is around £4,450–£8,000 for a full rewire. However, there isn’t one fixed average price that applies to every property.
The cost to rewire a house depends on much more than the number of bedrooms. The number of sockets and lighting points, access to existing cable routes, the consumer unit specification, location and whether the property is occupied can all affect the final price.
That’s why an online cost guide is useful for setting a budget, but a proper quotation should always be based on the individual property.
What does a full house rewire actually include?
A full rewire involves much more than simply replacing a few old cables. In most cases, the existing electrical installation is replaced or substantially renewed so that the property has a modern, safe and practical electrical system.
The exact scope will vary from property to property, but a typical full rewire may include:
- New electrical cabling throughout the property
- A new consumer unit with modern circuit protection
- New socket outlets and switches
- New lighting circuits and connection points
- Dedicated circuits for appliances such as ovens and induction hobs
- Smoke and heat alarm wiring where included in the specification
- Bathroom and kitchen electrical supplies
- Earthing and bonding upgrades where required
- Electrical testing and certification on completion
It’s also a good opportunity to think about how you actually use your home. Adding extra sockets, USB outlets, outdoor power, data cabling, smart-home wiring or provision for an EV charger is usually much easier while the property is already being rewired than adding it afterwards.
What affects the cost of rewiring a house?
Size of the property
More rooms generally mean more circuits, sockets, lights, cable and labour.
Whether the property is occupied
Rewiring an empty house is normally easier than working around furniture, belongings and people living in the property.
Access to the existing wiring
Solid floors, finished ceilings, difficult cable routes and limited access can all increase the amount of labour involved.
Number of sockets and electrical points
A basic specification with relatively few outlets will cost less than a home with lots of sockets, downlights, data points and dedicated circuits.
The finish and accessories you choose
Standard white accessories are relatively inexpensive. Decorative metal switches, smart controls and premium fittings can increase the overall cost significantly.
Making good and decorating
A rewire can involve lifting floors and creating routes in walls and ceilings. Always establish whether plastering, decorating and other making-good work is included in the electrician’s quotation.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
The time needed for a full rewire depends on the size of the property, the number of electricians working on the job and how easy the building is to work in.
As a rough guide, a typical three-bedroom house may take around 5–10 working days to rewire, although larger properties or more complex installations can take longer.
The work is usually completed in stages. This includes installing the new cables and electrical points, fitting the consumer unit and accessories, and finally testing and certifying the completed installation.
If other trades are involved — such as plasterers, decorators or kitchen fitters — the overall project can take longer than the electrical work itself.
Can you stay in your house during a rewire?
Technically, it may be possible in some cases, but a full rewire can be extremely disruptive.
Electricians may need access to most rooms, floorboards may need to be lifted, walls can be chased for new cables and the electricity will need to be switched off at different stages of the work.
For that reason, if you have the option to stay somewhere else while the main work is being carried out, it can make the process considerably easier for both you and the electricians.
If you do need to remain in the property, discuss this before accepting the quotation. The electrician can explain how they intend to maintain essential power and organise the work around an occupied home.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Older wiring does not automatically mean that a property needs a complete rewire. The condition and safety of the electrical installation are more important than its age alone.
However, there are signs that should prompt further investigation, including:
- An old or outdated consumer unit
- Frequently tripping circuits or blowing fuses
- Damaged, cracked or discoloured sockets and switches
- Signs of overheating around electrical accessories
- Very limited numbers of sockets
- Obviously old or deteriorated wiring
- Electrical alterations that appear poorly installed
- A burning smell, buzzing or unusual heat from electrical equipment
Some of these symptoms can have causes that don’t require a full rewire, so don’t assume the entire installation needs replacing based on one warning sign.
If you’re concerned about the condition of the electrics, having the installation properly inspected is a much better starting point.
HouseOhm tip: Don’t agree to a full rewire simply because someone tells you that your wiring is “old”. Ask what defects have actually been identified and why a full replacement is being recommended.
Should I get an EICR before deciding to rewire?
If you’re buying an older property or you’re unsure about the condition of the existing electrics, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) can be a sensible place to start.
An EICR assesses the condition of the electrical installation and identifies defects, deterioration and potential safety issues. The electrician will record observations using classification codes depending on the level of concern.
Importantly, an unsatisfactory EICR does not automatically mean the whole house needs rewiring. Some installations may only require specific remedial work, while others may have more widespread problems that make a full rewire the more practical option.
If significant work is recommended, ask the electrician to explain which parts of the installation are causing concern and what your options are.
HouseOhm tip: If you’re purchasing an older home and have concerns about the electrics, consider arranging an EICR before committing to major electrical work. It can give you a much clearer picture of what you’re actually dealing with.
How should I compare quotes for a house rewire?
Don’t automatically choose the cheapest rewire quote.
Two prices that appear to be for the same job can actually include very different specifications. Before comparing the totals, make sure you’re comparing like for like.
Number and location of electrical points
Check how many sockets, switches, lighting points and other outlets are included. A cheaper quotation may simply include fewer electrical points.
Consumer unit specification
Find out what consumer unit and protective devices are being proposed. Modern installations may include RCBO protection and surge protection depending on the design and requirements of the installation.
Making good
Establish exactly what happens to walls, ceilings and floors after cables have been installed. Some electricians include basic making good, while others leave plastering and decorating to another trade.
Light fittings
Check whether the price includes actual light fittings or simply wiring and standard lamp holders. Decorative lighting can significantly affect the final price.
Smoke and heat alarms
Don’t assume these are included. Check the specification and find out what type of alarm system is proposed.
Testing and certification
The completed installation should be properly inspected, tested and certified. Where the work is notifiable under the Building Regulations, make sure you understand how the relevant notification will be handled.
Extras and variations
Ask how additional sockets, lighting points or changes requested during the project will be priced. Small additions throughout a rewire can quickly increase the final bill.
A good quotation should make it reasonably clear what you’re getting for your money. If one quote is substantially cheaper than the others, look at the specification before assuming you’ve found a bargain.
HouseOhm tip: Ask each electrician to quote against the same specification. Decide roughly how many sockets, lights and other electrical points you want before obtaining prices. It makes comparing quotations much easier.
Should I add anything while my house is being rewired?
If you’re already paying to have floors lifted and cable routes created, it’s worth thinking about what your home might need over the next few years — not just what it needs today.
Depending on the property and your plans, you might want to consider provision for:
- An EV charger
- Solar panels and battery storage
- Outdoor sockets and garden lighting
- Additional kitchen appliances
- Home office and data cabling
- CCTV or security equipment
- Smart thermostats and smart-home controls
- Electric heating or air conditioning
- Additional sockets with USB or USB-C charging
- Future extensions, loft conversions or outbuildings
You don’t necessarily need to install everything immediately. In some situations, providing suitable cable routes or planning the electrical installation with future upgrades in mind can make later work much easier.
How do I choose an electrician for a house rewire?
A full rewire is a major piece of work, so price shouldn’t be the only factor when choosing an electrician.
Before appointing someone, check that they have appropriate experience carrying out domestic rewires and are able to explain clearly what is included in their quotation.
It’s worth checking:
- They are suitably qualified and experienced
- They hold appropriate insurance
- The quotation clearly describes the proposed work
- Testing and certification are included
- They can explain how Building Regulations requirements will be dealt with
- They have recent examples or references for similar work
- Payment terms are agreed before work starts
- Any exclusions from the quotation are clearly identified
For notifiable electrical work in England and Wales, using an electrician registered with an appropriate Competent Person Scheme can make the Building Regulations notification process much simpler.
What certificates should I receive after a house rewire?
Following a full rewire, you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) covering the new installation.
The certificate records information about the electrical work and the results of the inspection and testing carried out before the installation is put into service.
Where the work is notifiable under the Building Regulations, you should also receive the appropriate Building Regulations compliance documentation through the relevant notification process.
Keep these documents somewhere safe. They can be useful when selling the property, carrying out future electrical work or investigating problems later.
How much should I budget for a house rewire?
For many UK homeowners, a sensible starting budget for a full rewire is somewhere in the region of £4,000–£10,000, with smaller properties potentially costing less and larger or higher-specification homes costing considerably more.
The number of bedrooms is useful for getting a rough idea, but it isn’t enough to accurately price a rewire. The number of electrical points, accessibility, specification, condition of the property and amount of making good can all have a significant impact.
The best way to establish the likely cost for your home is to obtain a detailed quotation based on the actual property and the specification you want.
House rewiring FAQs
Can you rewire a house without removing all the plaster?
Usually, yes. A complete rewire doesn’t normally mean removing all of the plaster from every wall. However, electricians may need to create cable routes in walls and access areas beneath floors and above ceilings. The amount of disruption depends heavily on the construction of the property and existing cable routes.
Does a 30-year-old house need rewiring?
Not necessarily. The age of an electrical installation alone doesn’t determine whether it needs replacing. Its condition, previous alterations and whether it remains safe and suitable are more important. If you’re unsure, an electrical inspection can help establish its condition.
Does an old fuse box mean the house needs rewiring?
No. An older consumer unit can be an indication that the installation has been in place for some time, but it doesn’t automatically mean all of the wiring needs replacing. The installation should be assessed as a whole.
Is rewiring a house messy?
It can be. Installing concealed cables may involve lifting flooring, accessing ceiling spaces and creating channels in walls. An empty property before decorating is generally much easier to rewire than a fully furnished and finished home.
Should I rewire before decorating?
If a rewire is required, ideally yes. Electrical work can disturb walls, ceilings and floors, so completing it before plastering, decorating and fitting new flooring can avoid having to repair newly finished surfaces.
Can I rewire my own house?
A full house rewire isn’t a suitable DIY project for most homeowners. It requires electrical design, installation, inspection, testing and certification, as well as compliance with applicable Building Regulations. For a full rewire, use a suitably qualified and competent electrician.
The bottom line
Rewiring a house is a significant investment, but if an electrical installation genuinely needs replacing, it’s also an opportunity to make the property safer and better suited to modern life.
Don’t focus on price alone. A detailed specification, sensible planning and a competent electrician are just as important as the figure at the bottom of the quotation.
And if you’re unsure whether your home actually needs a full rewire, start by getting the condition of the existing installation properly assessed rather than assuming that old automatically means unsafe.
HouseOhm: Straight answers about your home’s electrics.