If you are asking “how much does a house rewire cost?”, the short answer is usually £3,000 to £15,000 or more in the UK in 2026.
A small flat may cost less. A large, older house with solid walls, extra circuits and a high-quality finish can cost considerably more.
Most typical three-bedroom homes fall somewhere around £5,000 to £8,000 for a full rewire, before full redecoration.
These are planning figures, not fixed quotes. The final price depends on the property, the condition of the existing wiring and exactly what the electrician includes.
How much does a full house rewire cost in 2026?
A full UK house rewire commonly costs £3,000–£6,000 for a small home, £5,000–£8,000 for a typical three-bedroom property and £8,000–£15,000 or more for a larger house. Full decoration is often extra.
| Property | Typical full rewire cost |
|---|---|
| Small flat or one-bedroom home | £2,500–£4,500 |
| Two-bedroom house or flat | £3,500–£6,000 |
| Three-bedroom house | £5,000–£8,000 |
| Four-bedroom house | £6,500–£12,000 |
| Five-bedroom or larger home | £8,000–£15,000+ |
These ranges generally assume standard white sockets and switches, a new consumer unit, testing and certification.
They do not necessarily include full replastering, painting, flooring repairs, premium fittings or extensive work outside the house.
A low quote is not automatically a good quote. Check what has been left out before comparing prices.
What is included in a full rewire?
A proper full rewire normally includes new cables, sockets, switches, lighting circuits, the consumer unit, earthing and bonding checks, testing and electrical certification. Ask the electrician to list every circuit and fitting covered before work begins.
A full rewire usually involves:
- Removing or disconnecting old fixed wiring.
- Installing new lighting and socket circuits.
- Replacing old cables where required.
- Installing a modern consumer unit, sometimes called a fuse board.
- Checking earthing and bonding.
- Adding or relocating sockets and switches agreed in the specification.
- Testing every circuit.
- Issuing the relevant electrical certificates.
- Notifying Building Control where required.
The exact consumer unit specification can affect the price. A basic board may cost less than one with individual RCBO protection, surge protection or other upgraded equipment.
Ask what protection is included rather than assuming every quote covers the same thing.
Do chasing, capping and plastering come with the price?
Chasing is cutting channels into walls for cables. Capping protects cables inside those channels. Making good means filling or repairing the damage. These items vary widely between electricians, so get plastering and decoration stated separately.
A rewire can involve lifting floorboards, opening ceilings and chasing walls. The electrician may then:
- Fit cables inside walls or floors.
- Use capping where appropriate.
- Fill cable channels roughly.
- Replace floorboards or access panels.
- Leave walls ready for a plasterer or decorator.
“Making good” does not always mean a finished, painted wall.
One quote may include basic patching. Another may include proper plastering. Full redecoration could still be excluded.
As a rough planning figure, allow:
- £500–£1,500 for a small home needing limited patching.
- £1,000–£2,500 for a typical three- or four-bedroom property.
- £2,000–£4,000 or more for a larger home or a high-quality finished result.
Ask this question directly: “Will I be left with walls ready to paint, or will the walls be fully replastered and decorated?”
That answer can make a substantial difference to the real cost.
What makes a house rewire more expensive?
The main price drivers are house size, the number of circuits, wall construction, access, the condition of the existing installation, the number of electrical points and the finish required after the cables are installed.
The most common cost factors are:
The size and layout of the property
More bedrooms mean more sockets, lights, cable runs and circuits. A large house also takes longer to test and make safe.
A compact flat with accessible floor voids may be quicker than a smaller but awkwardly laid-out house.
The number of sockets and lights
Adding extra sockets, outdoor supplies, garden lighting, electric showers or dedicated kitchen circuits increases both materials and labour.
Decide where you want new points before the electrician prices the work.
Wall and floor construction
Solid masonry walls can require more chasing than stud walls. Concrete floors, tiled areas and difficult access can also increase labour time.
The age and condition of the wiring
An old installation may need additional work to bring earthing, bonding and protection up to the required standard.
The electrician may also find damaged cables, overloaded circuits or alterations made by previous occupants.
Your location
Prices are often higher in London and the South East. Labour rates, parking, travel and access can all affect the quote.
Your choice of fittings
Standard white accessories are usually the simplest option. Decorative sockets, smart controls, USB outlets and specialist lighting cost more to supply and fit.
Is a partial rewire cheaper than a full rewire?
A partial rewire can cost less when only certain circuits or areas need replacing, but it is not always the right answer. An electrician should inspect the whole installation first and explain what can safely remain.
A partial rewire might be suitable when:
- An extension needs new wiring.
- A kitchen or bathroom is being upgraded.
- One section of the installation is unsafe.
- A previous alteration was poorly completed.
- New circuits are required for an electric shower, cooker or outbuilding.
The cost could range from a few hundred pounds for limited work to several thousand pounds for a larger partial rewire.
Be cautious of treating a partial rewire as a shortcut. If the remaining wiring is old, damaged or poorly protected, you may face more disruption later.
Ask for the electrician’s reasoning in plain English. A trustworthy professional should explain what needs changing, what can stay and why.
Do you need a new consumer unit with a rewire?
Most full rewires include a new consumer unit because the existing fuse box may not provide the protection required for the new installation. The electrician should explain the board type, protective devices and certification included in the quote.
Old fuse boxes may use rewireable fuses or outdated protection. They are not automatically dangerous just because they are old, but they should be assessed.
A modern consumer unit may provide improved protection through devices such as RCDs or RCBOs.
The right choice depends on the property and the installation. Do not choose a board based on price alone.
The quote should state:
- The consumer unit manufacturer and type.
- Which protective devices are included.
- Whether surge protection is included.
- Whether earthing and bonding upgrades are included.
- Whether testing and certificates are included.
Can you rewire a house yourself?
A house rewire is not a sensible DIY project. It involves dangerous electrical work, testing and Building Regulations requirements. Use a qualified, properly registered electrician rather than attempting to connect or certify major fixed wiring yourself.
You may be able to carry out minor tasks if you are competent, but a full rewire is different.
Replacing a consumer unit, installing new circuits and altering fixed wiring can expose you and others to electric shock, fire and hidden faults.
In England and Wales, electrical work covered by Building Regulations may require approval or notification. GOV.UK explains that replacing fuse boxes and connected electrics can fall within this work: check the current building regulations guidance.
Part P is not a shortcut or a label you can issue yourself. Ask the electrician what certificate you will receive and whether the work will be notified through a competent person scheme.
Arrangements differ in Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the rules that apply where you live.
How can you get an accurate house rewire quote?
The best estimate comes from an electrician who inspects the property, checks the existing wiring and discusses your required sockets, lights and finish. Online calculators are useful for budgeting but cannot see hidden access and safety issues.
Prepare these details before requesting quotes:
- Property type and number of bedrooms.
- Number of floors.
- Approximate age of the wiring.
- Whether the fuse box is old.
- Number of sockets and lights you want.
- Any electric shower, cooker, EV charger or outbuilding.
- Whether walls are solid or stud.
- Whether you will live in the property during the work.
- Whether plastering and decorating are required.
Get at least two or three itemised quotes. Make sure each one uses the same scope, otherwise you may compare a basic installation with a more complete one.
Do not accept a quote that only says “rewire house” without explaining the circuits, fittings, board, testing and making good.
What should you ask an electrician before accepting a quote?
Ask what is included, what is excluded, how long the work will take, who will make good the walls, which certificates you will receive and whether the price includes VAT. Clear answers now prevent expensive arguments later.
Use this checklist:
- Is this a full or partial rewire?
- Which rooms and circuits are included?
- How many sockets, switches and lights are allowed for?
- Is the consumer unit included?
- What type of protection will it use?
- Are chasing, capping and patching included?
- Is full plastering excluded?
- Are floorboards, carpets and units being lifted and replaced?
- Is testing included?
- Which certificates will I receive?
- Is the price inclusive of VAT?
- How long will the work take?
- What happens if hidden faults are found?
A professional survey may cost money, but it is usually better value than relying on a generic online estimate.
What does a house rewire usually cost overall?
For a typical three-bedroom UK house, budget around £5,000–£8,000 for the electrical work and consumer unit, then add a separate allowance for plastering, decoration and unexpected repairs. Confirm the final scope with an on-site electrician.
A realistic budget should include more than the headline rewire figure.
Allow for:
- The electrical installation.
- Consumer unit and protection.
- Testing and certification.
- Plastering and making good.
- Decoration.
- Replacement flooring or joinery if access causes damage.
- Additional work discovered after walls or floors are opened.
- VAT, parking or access costs where applicable.
If you are an electrician, do not wait for homeowners to ask these questions after they find a competitor. Explain typical costs, what affects the price and what your survey includes.
Homeowners trust tradespeople who answer clearly before asking for a quote. If you run an electrical business, review your electrician visibility and enquiry journey so nearby customers can find and contact you.
You can also check your website’s local search basics with the VU1 audit tool. It takes under 15 seconds to request — the report lands within a few minutes.
For electricians who want ongoing checks and practical improvements, join VU1 membership for £99/month and track what changes over time.
The bottom line
A full UK house rewire in 2026 commonly costs £3,000–£15,000+, with many three-bedroom homes landing around £5,000–£8,000.
Use the figures as a starting point, not a promise. Ask for an itemised survey-based quote, confirm the certificates and find out exactly who is responsible for plastering and decoration.
Never choose an electrician on price alone when the safety of your home is involved.