How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in the UK? (2025 Guide)

Rewiring Cost Breakdown by Property Size

• 1-bed flat: £3,000 – £5,000
• 2-bed house: £4,000 – £6,000
• 3-bed semi-detached: £6,000 – £9,000
• 4-bed detached: £8,000 – £12,000
• 5-bed+ detached: £12,000 – £18,000+

Factors That Affect Rewiring Cost

• Property size: More rooms = more circuits = higher cost
• Number of floors: Multi-storey properties need more vertical cabling
• Number of circuits: More circuits mean more labour and materials
• Existing condition: Old wiring in difficult positions takes longer to remove
• Access: Tight spaces, suspended floors, or cavity walls affect ease of installation
• Plastering: Chasing walls for new cables may require re-plastering
• Garage/outbuildings: Including these adds £500-£2,000

Signs You Need Rewiring

• Rubber-insulated wiring: Properties built 1930s-1960s may have outdated insulation
• Persistent RCD trips: Frequent trips indicate fault or overload
• Flickering lights: Often caused by loose connections or overloaded circuits
• Burning smell from sockets: A serious safety concern requiring immediate attention
• Fewer than 3-pin sockets: Old properties may have round pin sockets
• Fuse box with rewirable fuses: Modern consumer units are far safer

The Rewiring Process

1. Initial EICR: Electrical Installation Condition Report to assess current state
2. First fix: Running new cables through walls, floors, and ceilings
3. Notching: Creating channels in joists and studs where necessary
4. Second fix: Installing sockets, switches, light fittings, and consumer unit
5. Inspection and testing: Full testing with certificates issued
6. Part P notification: Building control notified and certificate provided

Can You Stay in the Property?

Yes, most people can remain in their home during rewiring. The electrician will work on a room-by-room basis, turning off power to circuits being worked on while keeping the rest of the house functional. You may need to stay elsewhere for the final day when final connections are made.

Who to Hire

Always use a NICEIC or NAPIT registered electrician. These electricians are:

• Assessed regularly for competence
• Authorised to self-certify work under Part P
• Provide insurance-backed warranties
• Issue official electrical installation certificates

Related Pages

• Domestic Rewiring
• Electricians in Gerrards Cross
• Electricians in Northolt
• Electricians in Ruislip