Rewiring is one of the more disruptive jobs a home can need - and one of the most important for safety. Old wiring is a genuine fire and shock risk, but a full rewire isn't always necessary. Knowing the typical cost, and whether you need a full or partial job, helps you plan and avoid being oversold.
A full rewire runs roughly £3,000 for a small flat to £6,000+ for a larger house. A partial rewire or a consumer-unit upgrade is far less.
Typical UK Prices
| Job | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Flat / 1-2 bed | £2,800-£4,000 |
| 3-bed house | £4,000-£5,500 |
| 4-5 bed house | £5,500-£8,000+ |
| Partial rewire | £1,200-£3,000 |
| Consumer unit (fuse board) only | £450-£900 |
| EICR safety inspection | £150-£350 |
Signs You Might Need a Rewire
- An old fuse box with rewireable fuses rather than breakers
- Black rubber, fabric or lead-sheathed cabling (pre-1960s)
- Sockets that are sparse, loose, or browning - see 7 signs you need an electrician
- Frequent tripping, flickering lights, or a burning smell
- No earthing or bonding to modern standards (an EICR will flag this)
Full vs Partial Rewire
- Full rewire
- Every cable, socket, switch and the consumer unit replaced. The safe choice for genuinely old installations, but the most disruptive.
- Partial rewire
- Just the circuits that fail an inspection - often the kitchen, bathroom or an old extension. Cheaper and less invasive.
- Board upgrade only
- Sometimes the wiring is fine and only the consumer unit needs bringing up to standard with RCD protection.
What an EICR Tells You
Before paying for a rewire, get an Electrical Installation Condition Report. It grades your wiring and tells you exactly what needs doing - often it's a partial job, not a full one. It's recommended every ten years for owner-occupiers and required every five for rentals.
What Drives the Price
- Property size
- More rooms means more circuits, sockets and cable - the single biggest factor.
- Access
- An empty house is quicker and cheaper than working around furniture and floors that have to be lifted and made good.
- Making good
- Rewiring means chasing walls; replastering and redecorating afterwards can add to the total.
Keeping Costs Down
- Get three quotes and an EICR so you only pay for what's needed
- Rewire while the house is empty - between tenancies or before you move in
- Combine it with other work so walls are only opened once
- Check the price includes certification and making good
How Long Does a Rewire Take?
A full rewire of an average three-bed house typically takes five to ten working days, depending on access and how much making-good is needed. It's dusty, disruptive work - floorboards come up, walls are chased for cables, and the power goes off in stages. That's why the cheapest, easiest time to do it is when a property is empty: between tenancies, or before you move your furniture in.
Living Through a Rewire
If you have to stay put, rooms are usually done in phases so you're never completely without power for long, but it's far from comfortable. Cover furniture, expect plaster dust everywhere, and budget for redecoration afterwards - chased walls need filling and painting once the electrician is done. Agreeing exactly what making-good the quote includes avoids a nasty surprise at the end.
Don't Confuse a Rewire With a Repair
A tripping circuit or a dead socket rarely means the whole house needs rewiring - it's almost always a single fault. Get the specific problem diagnosed before anyone quotes you for a full rewire, and be wary of a trader who jumps straight to the biggest, most expensive job. An EICR is the honest way to find out what you actually need.
Does a Rewire Add Value?
A safe, certified, modern electrical installation is a genuine selling point - buyers' surveyors flag old wiring, and a recent EICR or rewiring certificate removes a common sticking point in a sale. It won't pay for itself pound for pound, but on an older home it clears a red flag and lets buyers picture moving in rather than budgeting for disruption.
All notifiable electrical work needs a registered electrician and a certificate. Prices are typical 2026 UK ranges. If something is sparking, scorched or tripping right now, don't wait for a planned job - see emergency call-out costs or get an emergency electrician on the way.