What the job involves
A full rewire means replacing the fixed electrical wiring in a home, not just adding a socket or two. The old cables are taken out or abandoned, and new cables are run to every socket, light, switch and fixed appliance. In most houses the consumer unit (fuse board) is replaced at the same time, because the new circuits need modern protection such as RCDs and circuit breakers.
The usual scope is:
- Lifting floorboards and cutting channels (chases) in walls for cables
- New circuits for lighting, sockets, cooker, shower and other fixed loads
- New consumer unit with correct protective devices
- New sockets, switches and ceiling roses or light fittings
- Smoke and heat alarm wiring where included in the agreed scope
- Earthing and bonding checks and upgrades where needed
- Testing, certification and building regulations notification
A rewire is different from a partial rewire or a consumer unit swap. If someone only quotes for part of the house, make sure you know which rooms or circuits are left on the old wiring.
A rewire is notifiable work under building regulations. It should be done by a registered electrician through a competent person scheme, or be inspected by building control. You should receive an electrical installation certificate at the end.
What affects the price
No two rewires cost the same. These are the things that move the price most:
- Size of the property. More rooms mean more cable, more points and more labour. A large detached house takes far longer than a one-bedroom flat.
- Number of circuits and points. A house with lots of sockets, downlights, outdoor power or a home office costs more than a basic layout.
- Access. Open loft space and easy floorboards speed things up. Solid concrete floors, tight voids or heavily boxed-in runs take longer.
- Wall construction. Chasing into solid brick or stone is slower and dirtier than working in timber stud or plasterboard. Plaster that has to come off adds time.
- Occupied or empty. Working around furniture and people living in the house is slower. An empty property lets the electrician work through without moving things back and forth.
- Consumer unit and supply. If the meter tails, main earth or the incoming supply need upgrading, that adds work. Moving the meter or consumer unit adds more.
- Quality of fittings. Standard white plastic accessories cost less than metal, brushed or smart fittings. Specialist lighting also adds cost.
- Making good. Some electricians include filling chases and patching plaster. Others leave that to a plasterer and decorator. This can be a large difference between quotes.
- Extra work found on the way. Old asbestos-containing materials, damaged ceilings or hidden defects in earlier work can add cost and delay.
- Location and demand. Rates vary across the UK, and good electricians are often booked well ahead.
- Project timing. A rewire done alongside an extension or full renovation is usually cheaper to run than one done in a finished house, because walls and floors are already open.
The prices on this page show what homeowners actually paid, so you can compare your quote with similar local jobs.
Ways to keep the cost down
- Time it with other building work. If floors are up or walls are being replastered anyway, the rewire is simpler and you avoid repairing the same surfaces twice.
- Decide your layout early. Choose where you want sockets, lights and switches before work begins. Changes after first fix cost more than changes at planning stage.
- Clear the house if you can. Empty rooms, lifted carpets and accessible lofts save the electrician time.
- Do the tidy-up yourself. Taking up carpets and moving furniture is often something you can handle, but agree it with the electrician first.
- Get like-for-like quotes. Ask each electrician to price the same number of points and the same finish so the quotes can be compared fairly.
- Choose standard fittings. Save the premium accessories for the rooms where they matter.
- Ask about phasing. In some homes it is possible to rewire in stages, though this can add overall time and disruption.
- Do not skimp on testing or certification. Cutting corners here costs more later, especially when selling or claiming on insurance.
What should be included in a quote
A proper quote is written and itemised. Check that it covers:
- [ ] The address and a clear description of the work, stating it is a full rewire
- [ ] Number of sockets, lights, switches and fixed appliance circuits
- [ ] New consumer unit, with the type of protection specified
- [ ] Earthing and bonding upgrades
- [ ] Smoke and heat alarms, if you want them included
- [ ] Whether the price includes making good after chasing and cable runs
- [ ] Who handles building regulations notification and the fee for it
- [ ] Certification to be supplied on completion
- [ ] Lifting and refitting of floorboards and carpets
- [ ] Removal and disposal of old cable and waste
- [ ] Materials and fittings, including the style and brand where it matters
- [ ] VAT status
- [ ] Payment terms and any stage payments
- [ ] Start date, estimated duration and how long the quote is valid
- [ ] How extra work found on site will be priced and agreed
Questions to ask an electrician
- Which competent person scheme or registration body are you part of, and can I check it?
- Will you notify building control, or will I need to?
- Have you rewired a property like mine before?
- Do you do the work yourself or use subcontractors?
- Will the price include making good, or do I need a plasterer afterwards?
- Do you have public liability insurance, and can I see proof?
- What happens if you find something unexpected, such as damaged cables or an unsafe supply?
- Can the house stay occupied during the work, and which rooms will be affected first?
- What guarantee do you give on the work?
- Who will be my point of contact on site?
How long it takes and what to expect
A small flat can be done in a matter of days. A typical family house usually takes longer, and a large or awkward property can run beyond that. Much depends on access, how many people are working, and whether the house is empty.
The work normally happens in two main stages. First fix comes before any plastering or decorating. Cables are run, back boxes are fitted and the old wiring is stripped out. Second fix comes afterwards. Sockets, switches and lights are fitted, the new consumer unit is connected and everything is tested.
Expect dust, noise, lifted floorboards and no power in parts of the house at times. The electrician will usually try to leave you with some temporary power, but you may need to plan around cooking, working from home and anything needing a constant supply, such as a freezer.
At the end you should receive an electrical installation certificate and confirmation that building regulations notification has been made. Keep these safely, because buyers' solicitors often ask for them.
Plan decorating after the electrical work. Even careful electricians leave chases and patches that need filling and painting.
Signs a quote is too cheap or too expensive
Possible signs a quote is too cheap
- It is far below the other quotes with no clear explanation
- It is vague, with no number of points or circuits listed
- No mention of certification or building regulations
- The electrician cannot show registration with a recognised scheme
- Making good, consumer unit or testing are missing
- You are asked for most of the money upfront, or only cash is accepted
- They are reluctant to put anything in writing
Possible signs a quote is too expensive
- It is far above the others and the electrician cannot say why
- Large allowances for unknown extras with no detail
- Premium fittings or extras you did not ask for are included
- Heavy making-good work is included when you plan to redecorate fully anyway
- The scope is bigger than your house needs, such as extra circuits you will not use
A higher price can be fair if it includes decorating-ready finishes, premium fittings or a hard-to-access property. A low price can be fair for a small, empty house with easy access. What matters is that you can see what is included. Compare your quotes with the real local prices on this page, then ask each electrician to explain any big differences.