A full house rewire is one of the larger electrical jobs you can undertake, and the cost varies considerably depending on the size of the property, how accessible the wiring is, and what else needs to be done at the same time. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what to expect.
Typical house rewire costs by property size
These figures are for a full rewire including a new consumer unit, all circuits, sockets, switches and light fittings in a typical UK property. Prices include labour and materials but exclude decoration — replastering and making good after a rewire is usually done separately.
| Property size | Typical cost range | Timescale |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat | £2,500 – £4,000 | 2–3 days |
| 2-bedroom house | £3,500 – £5,500 | 3–4 days |
| 3-bedroom house | £5,000 – £8,000 | 4–6 days |
| 4-bedroom house | £7,000 – £12,000 | 5–8 days |
These are broad ranges — a quote for your specific property may fall outside them depending on the factors below.
What affects the cost of a rewire?
Access to existing wiring. If the property is occupied and has plaster and plasterboard walls, routing new cables is more labour-intensive than in an empty or stripped property. The cost of chasing walls and making good significantly affects the final price.
Number of circuits and sockets. A modern rewire typically adds more sockets than the original installation — older homes were often wired with very few. The specification you agree with your electrician will affect the materials cost.
Consumer unit type. A new consumer unit with full RCD or RCBO protection is included in a rewire, but the spec varies. RCBOs (which protect each circuit individually) cost more than a standard split-load board but offer better protection and more resilience if a fault occurs.
Additional work. EV charger circuits, solar connections, outside sockets, security lighting or electric showers can be added at the same time, often at lower cost than doing them separately later.
Location. Labour rates vary by region. Bristol and South Gloucestershire sit in the mid-to-upper range for the UK, reflecting local market rates.
What’s included in a full rewire?
- New consumer unit with RCD/RCBO protection
- New cables throughout the property
- All ring final circuits (power circuits) and radial circuits
- Lighting circuits
- New sockets, switches and light fittings (standard spec — premium fittings priced separately)
- Earthing and bonding
- Electrical Installation Certificate on completion
- Building Regulations notification where required
Making good — filling and repainting after cables have been chased in — is almost always excluded from an electrician’s quote and done by a decorator afterwards.
Signs your home may need rewiring
- Rubber or fabric-insulated wiring (indicates pre-1960s installation)
- Round-pin sockets or very few sockets per room
- Rewireable (wire and fuse) consumer unit rather than circuit breakers
- Persistent tripping, flickering lights or burning smells from sockets
- An EICR with multiple C2 or C1 observations relating to the wiring condition
Not sure if your wiring needs replacing?
An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is the right starting point. It gives you a clear picture of the condition of your wiring, identifies any issues and classifies them by severity — so you know exactly what needs doing and how urgently, before committing to any work.
We carry out EICRs for homeowners, home buyers and landlords across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Get in touch to arrange one.
