Guide Contents:
- What Is Electrical Rewiring?
- How Much to Rewire a House?
- Factors Influencing Rewiring Costs
- Additional Costs to Consider
- How Often Does a House Need Rewiring?
- Duration of Rewiring Projects
- Tips for Reducing Rewiring Costs
- Importance of Hiring Qualified Electricians
- DRW Electrical Group’s Rewiring Services
Rewiring a house is a significant undertaking, but it’s essential for ensuring the safety and efficiency of your home’s electrical system. Whether you’re moving into an older property or updating your current home, understanding the costs and processes involved in electrical rewiring is crucial.
As specialists in domestic electrics, at DRW Electrical Group, we’re here to guide you through every step of the journey.
What Is Electrical Rewiring?
Electrical rewiring involves replacing outdated or faulty electrical systems to meet current safety standards. This process ensures that your home can handle modern electrical demands safely and efficiently. Rewiring a house typically includes installing new wiring, sockets, switches, and a consumer unit (fuse box), all whilst fitting building and wiring regulations.
How Much to Rewire a House?
The cost of rewiring a house in the UK varies based on several factors, including property size, age, and complexity of the project.
Here’s a general breakdown:
- 1-bedroom flat: £3,000 – £4,800
- 2-bedroom flat: £3,800 – £5,800
- 3-bedroom house: £4,450 – £8,000
- 4-bedroom house: £6,080 – £9,380
- 5-bedroom house: £7,500 – £12,500
These figures are rough estimates and can vary depending on specific requirements and regional differences.
Factors Influencing Rewiring Costs
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the cost of domestic electrical rewiring. Every home is different, and a variety of factors can affect the final quote.
Let’s break down each of the main things that could influence how much it costs to rewire a house, so you know exactly what to expect and can plan ahead.
1. Property Size and Layout
One of the biggest influences on cost is the size of your home. Quite simply, the more rooms you have, the more wiring, sockets, switches, and fittings you’ll need. A one-bedroom flat will cost significantly less to rewire than a sprawling five-bedroom detached house.
But it’s not just about square footage. The layout of your home plays a role too on the number of days to complete it, and thus, price. Homes with extensions, multiple floors, or unusual floor plans may take more time and effort to rewire because the wiring system and routes are longer or more complicated. Properties with lots of nooks, built-in furniture, or tight ceiling spaces can be trickier to work around.
At DRW Electrical Group, we’ll always assess your individual layout carefully before giving you a quote – no guesstimates here!
2. Age of the Property
Older properties often come with older wiring, and that can mean more work for your domestic electrician. Homes built before the 1980s are likely to have outdated or faulty wiring systems that no longer meet modern safety standards. In some cases, we might even come across fabric-covered or rubber-coated wiring, which is a definite sign that a full rewire is overdue.
These older systems often do not have proper earth wiring and usually cannot handle the electrical load of today’s appliances, smart tech, and charging stations. Rewiring a house like this can be more labour-intensive because we may have to remove old wiring carefully, drill new channels, or upgrade other parts of the system like the consumer unit.
On the flip side, newer homes might just need partial rewiring or upgrades, especially if you’re adding new circuits for things like electric showers, garden lighting, or EV chargers.
3. Accessibility
How easy it is to access the existing wiring can also affect the cost to rewire your home. If your wiring runs under solid concrete floors, behind fitted wardrobes, or through tight loft spaces, it’s going to take more time and effort to reach everything.
Properties with suspended floorboards or access hatches make things simpler, as we can lift the boards and get to the cables without too much disruption. But if we have to chase walls, remove tiles or cabinets, or work around permanent fixtures, the job becomes more complex, and that means higher labour costs.
Good access can speed things up, help reduce mess, and lower your final bill, which is why we’ll always talk to you about accessibility during your initial site survey.
4. Occupancy Status (Lived-In vs Vacant)
This one often surprises people, but whether you’re living in the house during the rewire makes a big difference.
If the property is empty, we can get cracking straight away without worrying about disrupting your daily life. We don’t need to move furniture or work around people and pets, and we can work room-to-room much faster. As a result, workers reduce labour time and complete the job more quickly and efficiently.
But if you’re living in the house during work, things naturally take longer. We’ll need to carefully plan the schedule around your routines, make temporary power arrangements, and ensure every space is safe to live in overnight. Plus, we’ll be taking extra steps to keep dust and disruption to a minimum, all of which takes time and adds to the cost.
If you’re planning a full rewire and can temporarily move out, it’s definitely worth considering.
5. Quality of Fixtures and Fittings
Electrical rewiring isn’t just about cables behind the walls, it’s also about what you see on the surface. The sockets, switches, lights, and other fittings you choose can significantly affect the final cost.
If you’re on a budget, you might opt for standard white plastic fittings. But if you prefer decorative finishes like brushed chrome, brass, or even smart home features like dimmer switches, motion sensors, or USB sockets, the price will go up.
Lighting also makes a difference, simple ceiling pendants are cost-effective, while spotlights, under-cabinet lighting, and designer fixtures come with higher supply and installation costs.
At DRW Electrical Group, we’ll always give you options that suit your style and your budget, so you can make informed decisions.
6. Regional Variations
Where you live in the UK also affects the cost of rewiring a house. Labour rates tend to be higher in places like London and the South East, while prices in the North and other regions may be more affordable.
This regional variation isn’t just about wages, it also comes down to things like parking permits, congestion charges, travel time, and local material prices. Even within the same region, prices can vary from town to town depending on demand and local market conditions.
Here at DRW, we’re based in the North West and proud to offer competitive rates without compromising on quality. We always price transparently and fairly, no postcode penalties.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the primary rewiring expenses, homeowners should account for:
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR): Essential for assessing the current state of your electrical system.
- 1-bedroom house: Starting from £150
- 2-bedroom house: Starting from £160
- 3-bedroom house: Starting from £180
- 4-bedroom house: Starting from £200
- Consumer Unit (Fuse Box) Replacement: £375 – £550
- Decorative Repairs Post-Rewiring: Plastering and painting costs.
- Upgrading Fixtures: Switches, sockets, and lighting fixtures.
How Often Does a House Need Rewiring?
Experts generally recommend rewiring a house every 25 to 30 years to ensure electrical safety and compliance with modern standards. However, certain signs may indicate the need for earlier intervention:
- Frequent circuit breaker trips.
- Flickering or dimming lights.
- Burning smells or discolored outlets.
- Outdated fuse boxes.
- Insufficient number of sockets.
Regular inspections by a qualified domestic electrician can help determine the appropriate timing for rewiring.
Duration of Rewiring Projects
The time required to complete electrical rewiring depends on the property’s size and complexity:
- 2-bedroom house: 3–4 days
- 3-bedroom house: 5–7 days
- 4-bedroom house: 7–10 days
Planning ahead and coordinating with your domestic electrician can help minimise disruptions.
Tips for Reducing Rewiring Costs
To manage expenses effectively:
- Plan Ahead: Schedule work during off-peak times.
- Combine Projects: Coordinate rewiring with other renovations.
- Obtain Multiple Quotes: Compare prices from different electricians.
- Choose Standard Fixtures: Opt for cost-effective materials.
- Vacate Property if Possible: Allows for quicker completion.
Importance of Hiring Qualified Electricians
Electrical rewiring is a complex task that requires professional expertise. Hiring a qualified domestic electrician ensures:
- Certification and Compliance: Adherence to safety standards and regulations.
- Safety Assurance: Proper installation reduces risk of future issues.
- Insurance and Warranty: Professionals often back their work with guarantees.
Attempting DIY electrical work can be dangerous and may invalidate your home insurance.
DRW Electrical Group’s Rewiring Services
At DRW Electrical Group, we specialise in providing comprehensive electrical rewiring services tailored to your needs. Our offerings include:
- Expertise: Years of experience in domestic rewiring projects.
- Customer-Centric Approach: Tailored solutions to meet individual needs.
- Transparent Pricing: Detailed quotes with no hidden fees.
- Post-Installation Support: Ongoing maintenance and support services.
Whether you’re wondering how much to rewire a house or seeking a reliable domestic electrician, DRW Electrical Group is here to help.
Understanding the intricacies of electrical rewiring is essential for maintaining a safe and efficient home. By recognising the signs that indicate the need for rewiring and consulting with qualified professionals, you can ensure your home’s electrical system meets current standards.
If you’re considering rewiring a house or have questions about how much to rewire a house, don’t hesitate to contact DRW Electrical Group for expert guidance and services.
