A full rewire of a typical three-bedroom house in the UK costs roughly £5,500 to £8,000, and larger four or five bedroom homes can reach £9,000 to £12,500 or more. Flats and small houses are generally cheaper.
Check whether the quote includes the consumer unit, making good plaster and decoration afterwards, because these are the most common gaps between quotes.
House rewire cost estimator
The estimator uses indicative prices from the sources below and does not replace a quote. Larger sizes are less well covered by published guides, so treat those ranges as rougher. The bungalow options are indicative allowances, based on the house figures for the same number of bedrooms, because published guides rarely price bungalows separately.
House rewire cost by property size
Typical ranges for a full rewire of an unoccupied or lightly occupied home.
| Property | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Flat or 1 to 2 bed home | About £3,900 to £5,500 |
| 2-bed house | About £4,500 to £6,500 |
| Small bungalow (1 to 2 bed) | About £4,000 to £6,000 (indicative) |
| 3-bed house | About £5,500 to £8,000 (London £6,500 to £10,000) |
| Large bungalow (3 to 4 bed) | About £5,500 to £9,000 (indicative) |
| 4-bed house | About £7,500 to £12,500 |
| 5-bed or larger house | About £10,000 to £15,000 |
A standalone consumer unit replacement is much cheaper, often about £400 to £900 for a fully RCBO-protected board. Published guides disagree, with some quoting lower for small homes, so get written quotes. The bungalow ranges are indicative, based on the house figures for similar bedroom counts.
Typical rewire cost at a glance
Typical range by property size, before extras and contingency.
What pushes the cost up or down
- Property size: more rooms and circuits mean more cable, sockets and time.
- Access: solid walls, concrete floors and finished decoration make routing cables harder.
- Occupied or empty: working around furniture and living in the house takes longer.
- Specification: the number of sockets, lights, data points and smart controls you want.
- Consumer unit and earthing: a modern RCBO board and earthing upgrades may be needed.
- Location: London and the South East are typically higher.
Costs people forget
| Item | Typical allowance |
|---|---|
| Consumer unit (fuse box) | £400 to £900, sometimes included in the rewire price |
| Plastering and redecoration | £1,000 to £3,000, often excluded after chasing walls |
| Floorboard lifting and refitting | Check whether included, especially with fitted carpets |
| Electrical certificate | You should receive an installation certificate and Part P notification |
| Smoke and CO alarms | Mains-linked alarms are often added at the same time |
| Contingency | 10 to 15 percent |
A rewire must comply with BS 7671 and Part P. Ask for an Electrical Installation Certificate when the job is complete, and see our EICR, consumer unit and RCBO glossary pages.
Before you ask for quotes
Get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) first if you are not sure a rewire is needed, because many homes need only partial upgrades.
Ask each electrician to state whether the consumer unit, making good and certificates are included.
Rules, certificates and choosing an electrician
Fixed wiring in homes must comply with BS 7671 and with Part P of the building regulations in England. A registered electrician (for example with NICEIC, NAPIT or a similar scheme) can self-certify the work and notify building control. Otherwise you need building control involved. You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate, and the work should be inspected and tested before it is energised.
An older home, or one with rubber or fabric-covered cables, lead sheathing or a rewirable fuse board, is more likely to need a rewire. An EICR from a qualified electrician will tell you whether it is urgent. See our electrician page for what to ask.
Cutting the cost without cutting corners
- Rewire while other work is already open, such as a kitchen or extension.
- Get at least three itemised quotes and ask exactly what is included.
- Do the making good and decoration yourself or with your own decorator if you can.
- Agree the socket and light positions before work starts to avoid extras.
- Use a registered electrician, because unregistered work can cause insurance problems.
Sources and further reading
- Whito: house rewire cost UK Cost by property size
- Fantastic Services: house rewiring cost Regional ranges for a 3-bed house
- Trade2Base: rewire costs UK What electricians should charge
- GOV.UK: Approved Document P (electrical safety) Building regulations for electrical work
External links open in a new tab. Costs combine several published price guides, which differ. Last checked November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rewire a house in the UK?
Typically about 5,500 to 8,000 pounds for a three-bed house, with smaller homes cheaper and four or five bedroom homes about 7,500 to 15,000 pounds. London costs more.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
A typical house takes roughly one to two weeks, depending on size and access. The electrician should confirm the programme.
Does a rewire include a new consumer unit?
Often, but not always, so check. A new consumer unit commonly costs about 400 to 900 pounds on its own.
Do I have to move out during a rewire?
Not always, but it is easier and often quicker if the house is empty. You will lose power in parts of the house for periods.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Old cables, a rewirable fuse board, scorching, buzzing or frequent tripping can be signs. An EICR from a qualified electrician will confirm what is needed.