How Much Does it Cost to Rewire a House?
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between £3,000 and £7,000 for a full house rewire, although the exact figure will vary depending on your property type and requirements.
Rewiring your home is one of the most important electrical jobs you can carry out. Old or faulty wiring is not only inconvenient but can also be a major fire hazard. The cost of rewiring a property depends on many different factors, including the size and layout of the home, the number of sockets and fittings you want, and how easy it is for an electrician to access walls, floors, and ceilings.
In this guide, we’ll look at what a rewire involves, the average cost of a house, bungalow and flat rewire, and the main factors that influence the final price.
Average house rewire prices
Looking at prices submitted by WhatPrice users we can determine the average price across the UK for a House, Bungalow & Flat rewire and number of rooms are as follows.
Average by building type
- House rewire cost £6,304
- Bungalow rewire cost £3,156
- Flat rewire cost £4,790
Average by number of rooms
- 2 bed rewire £3,880
- 3 bed rewire £4,721
- 4 bed rewire £5,978
Compare rewiring costs in your area
Prices provided to us by WhatPrice users are listed below and grouped by House rewire (Detached, Semi-detached & Terraced), Bungalow rewire and Flat rewire by region. Generally these are the amount homeowners have paid and will include VAT, unless otherwise stated. These are to be used as a guide only to provide an indication of costs for similar properties, specific installations can vary significantly so always get a few quotes to compare.
House rewire
| Job type | Description | Price | Units | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rewire 3 bed Detached house | Empty property, avoided taking up floor as it was original parquet. 1 outdoor light, no garage, extra sockets, 4 days. | £4,950 | Total price | North West |
Bungalow rewire
| Job type | Description | Price | Units | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rewire 3 bed Bungalow | Full rewire to basic level including garage, with certificate. | £3,320 | Total price | North West |
| Rewire 2 bed Dormer bungalow | Full rewire 2 bed bungalow dorma, swa garage feed. | £3,560 | Total price | East Midlands |
| Rewire 2 bed Dormer bungalow | Full rewire of dormer bungalow including extra socket outlets and shaver socket outside lighting and replacement consumer unit. | £2,400 | Total price | North West |
| Rewire 2 bed Bungalow | Full rewire-15 sockets, fan b.room, downlights x 12 in kitchen & bathroom supplied and fitted, cooker point for oven, smoke alarm x 2 & carbon monoxide alarm all wired in. All tracing done but not plastered. I had my own plasterer. Very good job. | £2,542 | Total price | Scotland |
| Rewire 2 bed Bungalow | Empty 2 bed bungalow 17 sockets, lighting inc 8 downlighters, fan, smoke alarms, cooker, new board, bonding. | £2,170 | Total price | North West |
| Rewire 2 bed Bungalow | Full rewire of 2 bedroom bungalow, new consumer unit, meter tails and earthing upgraded. New sockets and switches. New lights in every room including outside light. | £3,955 | Total price | East of England |
| Rewire 3 bed Bungalow | Taken back to first fix level. Quote included outside security lights, except the light fittings. | £3,690 | Total price | East Midlands |
| Rewire 3 bed Bungalow | Full rewire incl. materials (except consumer unit) Living room, dining room, 3 bedrooms (one of which is loft room), kitchen and bathroom. Average 4 double sockets per room. Took 2 men x 5 shortish days. Underfloor access available. | £2,450 | Total price | Scotland |
| Rewire 3 bed Bungalow | 3 bed bungalow, all wiring stripped and replaced, security light, alarm system, boards etc. | £4,575 | Total price | North West |
| Rewire 3 bed Bungalow | Full rewire to a 3 bed bungalow. included 25 sockets, 6 wall lights, 12 normal lights, shaver point, loft lights, outside socket, 2 outside lights. All new wiring, board etc, removal of old wiring and wall chases. Smoke alarm and heat detector included. Electrician fully qualified and registered. | £3,250 | Total price | Cymru Wales |
| Rewire 2 bed Bungalow | Full Rewire for bungalow which includes 2 beds, living/dining room, kitchen, bathroom – 3 sockets per room – 7 sockets in kitchen, cooker point, shower point etc. All works conforming to the latest wiring regulations. Inspected & tested, notified local building control & issued Electrical Safety Certificate NICEIC | £2,800 | Total price | North West |
Flat rewire
| Job type | Description | Price | Units | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rewire 3 bed Flat | Full rewire on 3 bed flat above shop. 20 double sockets 7 lighting points 3 smoke/fire alarms interconnected New consumer unit Cooker supply Upgrade bonding Excluding parts | £5,511 | Total price | London |
| Rewire 2 bed Flat | Been quoted this: | £5,800 | Total price | London |
| Rewire 2 bed Flat | 2 bed flat, 60 outlets, CU, all building works (chasing and coring in brickwork), removal of all waste, moulded white accessories, complete rewire, certification. | £5,440 | Total price | South East |
| Rewire 2 bed Flat | Full Rewire for 2 bed flat which includes 2 beds, living/dining room, kitchen, bathroom – 3 sockets per room – 7 sockets in kitchen, cooker point, shower point etc. All works conforming to the latest wiring regulations. Inspected & tested, notified local building control & issued Electrical Safety Certificate NICEIC. | £2,540 | Total price | North West |
| Rewire 2 bed Flat | 2 bedroom, kitchen, new consumer unit, 13 sockets, 4 lighting circuits | £6,100 | Total price | London |
| Rewire 2 bed Flat | Full rewire 2 bed flat. Full certificate. Replacing/relocating multiple sockets. Adding correct rated outlets for shower, cooker, central heating boiler etc. New consumer unit. | £3,350 | Total price | South West |
What does a full house rewire involve?
Rewiring is not simply replacing a few cables. It is a comprehensive electrical upgrade that ensures your home is safe, efficient, and compliant with modern UK wiring regulations. A full rewire will usually include:
- New consumer unit (fuse box): Modern units include residual current devices (RCDs) for improved safety.
- Sockets and switches: You’ll choose the number, locations, and finishes – from basic white plastic to premium brushed metal designs.
- Lighting: Both the number of light points and the types of fittings are considered.
- Additional features: Many rewires also include outside lights, bathroom fans, kitchen extractors, smoke alarms, burglar alarms, shaver points, central heating wiring, or even dedicated circuits for showers and pumps.
Because of the complexity, a professional electrician will carry out a full survey of your property before providing a quotation. This ensures the estimate reflects your needs, the layout of your home, and any safety issues.
Factors that affect the cost of a house rewire
The cost to rewire a house in the UK is influenced by several factors.
First, accessibility plays a huge role. Electricians need to run cables under floors, through ceilings, and up and down walls to reach sockets and switches. If your property is empty, with clear access to voids and wall space, the job is much quicker and less expensive. A lived-in property, particularly one with finished decoration and furniture, takes longer to work on and usually costs more.
Second, how the wiring is concealed will change the price. The cheapest option is to use surface-mounted trunking, but this is visually less appealing. Most homeowners prefer cables to be chased into the walls, plastered over, and redecorated afterwards. This adds cost but delivers a much cleaner finish.
Third, the number and type of fittings make a difference. For example, installing a higher number of sockets, premium finishes, or smart fittings will increase the overall cost compared to a more basic installation.
Finally, regional variation must be considered. Labour costs are higher in London and the Southeast than in the North of England, Scotland, or Wales, so the same job may be 15 to 20% more expensive depending on where you live.
Why it’s best to rewire an empty house
If you are planning a rewire, it’s worth considering the timing. Rewiring a home is far easier and cheaper when the property is empty. Electricians can move freely, chase walls, and run cables without worrying about damaging décor or moving furniture.
In a furnished home, additional time is needed to protect surfaces, clear working areas, and make good afterwards. For this reason, many homeowners choose to combine a rewire with a renovation project, tackling both jobs at once to save money and disruption.
Certification and compliance
A full house rewire must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Only a qualified, certified electrician can legally carry out this work. At the end of the job, you should be provided with an Electrical Installation Certificate confirming that your home’s wiring meets UK safety standards.
This certificate is essential not only for peace of mind but also for insurance purposes and when selling your property. Without it, you may struggle to prove that the electrical work was carried out safely and correctly.
Regional rewire cost variations
The average costs listed above are based on prices submitted by UK homeowners, but it’s important to remember that where you live can influence the final figure.
- London and the Southeast: Expect to pay towards the top end of the scale due to higher labour costs.
- North of England, Wales, and Scotland: Typically, costs are lower, although rural areas may see higher call-out charges.
- Cities vs. rural areas: Urban electricians may be more expensive per hour, but rural jobs often involve longer travel times.
How to save money on a house rewire
Although rewiring is a major expense, there are ways to keep costs under control. For example, planning the layout of sockets and switches in advance reduces changes during installation. Choosing standard fittings instead of premium designer options can also cut costs significantly.
Another cost-saving tip is to schedule the rewire alongside other building work, such as plastering or redecorating. This means the disruption happens once, and you may benefit from shared labour costs. Finally, always get multiple quotes from local electricians. Comparing at least three certified professionals ensures you’re paying a fair price and getting value for money.
Need an electrician?
The best way to understand the cost of rewiring your home is to get tailored quotes from certified electricians in your area.
