How long does a full rewire take?

3–7 working days for a 2–3 bed house; 7–14 days for a 4–5 bed or Victorian property.

Do I need to move out during a rewire?

Not mandatory, but highly recommended. Power is off for hours each day and dust is significant.

Does rewiring increase house value?

Yes — a modern, certified electrical installation is a key selling point and can add £5,000–£10,000 to buyer confidence.

Can I rewire one room at a time?

Yes, but it's less efficient per room. A full rewire is usually cheaper overall because labour and setup are shared.

What is an EIC and do I need one?

An Electrical Installation Certificate confirms the work meets BS 7671. It is mandatory for insurance, warranty and resale.

Trades · Last updated 19 October 2026

Cost of rewiring a house in the UK

Typical range£2,500–£12,000· full rewire

Rewiring a house in the UK typically costs £4,000–£9,000 for a 3-bedroom property, with most homeowners paying around £5,500–£7,000 including the consumer unit, cables, faceplates, downlights, smoke alarms and certification. A 1-bed flat starts at £2,500; a 5-bed detached house can exceed £12,000.

Quick answer: Cost of rewiring a house in the UK in the UK typically costs between £2,500 and £12,000 (full rewire). London and the South East run 20–35% above this range; the North, Wales and most of Scotland sit 5–15% below.

Homeowners researching this typically also price up cost of new electrics in a house in the uk, electrician hourly rate in the uk and cost of new windows in the uk. For wider context, browse our bathroom pricing, kitchen pricing and boiler & heating costs.

Cost table

Indicative price ranges (UK, GBP)

Item	Typical range (GBP)
1-bed flat	£2,500–£4,500
2-bed terraced / semi	£3,500–£6,000
3-bed semi / detached	£4,000–£7,500
4-bed detached	£5,500–£9,000
5-bed+ detached / Victorian	£7,000–£12,000

Labour costs

Labour accounts for 55–65% of a full rewire. Electricians work in pairs for large houses, with one pulling cables and one fitting accessories.

Labour line items

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Lead electrician (5–10 days)	£1,200–£2,500
Electrician's mate (3–6 days)	£500–£1,200
Scaffolding (external circuits)	£200–£500
Design and certification	£150–£350
Labour for making good (plasterer)	£400–£900

Materials costs

Materials include cables, back boxes, consumer unit, faceplates, downlights, smoke/heat alarms, outdoor fittings and trunking.

Materials & fittings

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Consumer unit (12–16 way, RCBO)	£300–£700
Cable (per metre, assorted sizes)	£1.5–£3.5/m
Back boxes and accessories	£200–£600
LED downlights (15–25 units)	£200–£800
Smoke / heat alarms (interlinked, 3–5 units)	£150–£400
Outdoor sockets / lighting	£100–£400

Cost per point (socket, switch or light)

Item	Typical range (GBP)
Socket or switch point	£60–£120each
Downlight point	£80–£150each
External point	£150–£300each

Factors affecting cost in the UK

·Property size — more rooms and floors mean more cable runs.
·Age of property — Victorian homes with solid walls and lime plaster are harder to chase.
·Accessibility — lofts, cellars and floor voids make cable routing easier.
·Finish spec — chrome plates, smart home wiring, integrated USB, underfloor heating controls.
·Occupied vs vacant — working around furniture and residents slows progress.

Hidden & unexpected costs

·Making good plaster and woodwork after chasing.
·Re-decorating every room after cable runs.
·Asbestos in old fuse boxes, ceiling roses and bituminous coatings.
·Supply upgrade if the existing service head is inadequate.
·Temporary accommodation if the house must be vacated.

Ways to reduce cost

·Get three itemised quotes with a full schedule of works.
·Vacate the property if possible — electricians work faster in empty houses.
·Plan every socket and light position before work starts.
·Combine with other trades (plumbing, plastering) to share making-good.
·Use a NICEIC contractor for Part P self-certification.

Signs a house needs rewiring

Old rubber or fabric-insulated cable, a fusebox with rewireable fuses, no RCD protection, black-and-red cable colours (pre-2004) combined with damage or frequent tripping, and too few sockets are all reasons to get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from a registered electrician.

Rules and certificates

A full or partial rewire is notifiable work under Part P of the building regulations in England. Use an electrician registered with a competent person scheme (such as NICEIC or NAPIT) who can self-certify, and keep the Electrical Installation Certificate and building regulations compliance certificate for when you sell.

First fix and second fix

First fix means running new cables and back boxes while floors are up and before plastering. Second fix — fitting sockets, switches, lights and the new consumer unit — happens after plastering. Most three-bedroom houses take five to ten working days in total, and you will need to replaster and redecorate afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a full rewire take?: 3–7 working days for a 2–3 bed house; 7–14 days for a 4–5 bed or Victorian property.
Do I need to move out during a rewire?: Not mandatory, but highly recommended. Power is off for hours each day and dust is significant.
Does rewiring increase house value?: Yes — a modern, certified electrical installation is a key selling point and can add £5,000–£10,000 to buyer confidence.
Can I rewire one room at a time?: Yes, but it's less efficient per room. A full rewire is usually cheaper overall because labour and setup are shared.
What is an EIC and do I need one?: An Electrical Installation Certificate confirms the work meets BS 7671. It is mandatory for insurance, warranty and resale.

Sources & how we estimate

Prices are typical UK ranges compiled by ModernExpert.AI from published trade rates and supplier price lists, and are estimates — always get at least three written quotes. Rules on permissions, safety and certification come from the official sources below. Last reviewed 19 October 2026.

Found an outdated figure? Tell us and we'll check it.