How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?

Rewiring a house is one of the more significant home projects you can undertake, but it’s an essential one if your electrics aren’t up to scratch. Flickering lights, blown fuses, tripping circuits, and outdated wiring are all signs that something needs to change. So, how much does it actually cost? In the UK, a full rewire typically starts at around £2,000 for a small flat and can reach £7,000 or more for a large five-bedroom home. Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect.

Average cost to rewire a house

The cost to rewire a house varies depending on multiple factors. Here’s a quick look at average costs:

Property type	Estimated cost
1-bedroom flat	£2,000 to £3,000
2 to 3-bedroom house	£3,000 to £5,000
4-bedroom house	£5,000 to £6,500
5-bedroom house	£7,000 or more

These figures generally include materials, labour, and VAT. Always ask for a detailed written quote before committing, and make sure it specifies exactly what’s included. Costs can increase if you have specific requirements such as designer sockets, smart home integration, or complex lighting setups.

What affects the cost?

Several factors can push the price up or bring it down:

• Property size. Larger properties require more cabling, more sockets, and more circuits. A five-bedroom house will always cost significantly more to rewire than a one-bedroom flat.
• Property age. Older properties, particularly those built before the 1970s, often have outdated wiring systems that require more work to remove and replace safely. Victorian and Edwardian homes may have wiring running in difficult-to-access locations, which adds to the labour time.
• Location. Labour rates vary significantly across the UK. London and the South East typically charge the highest rates. Outside of these areas, costs are generally lower, though they can vary by region and individual electrician.
• Additional work. Adding new sockets, installing additional circuits, upgrading the consumer unit (fuse box), or incorporating smart home technology all add to the overall cost.
• Access. Properties with limited access, such as loft spaces, solid walls, or floor-to-ceiling tiling in bathrooms, take longer to work in and increase labour costs.

For example:

A Victorian three-bedroom terraced house in Manchester might cost around £4,500 to rewire, while the same job in a modern three-bedroom house in a rural area might come in closer to £3,200. The age of the wiring, the thickness of the walls, and local labour rates all play a role.

Can you DIY a house rewire?

No. In the UK, rewiring a house is regulated work under Part P of the Building Regulations. Any significant changes to electrical installations must either be carried out by a registered electrician or be notified to and inspected by your local building authority.

Attempting to rewire your own home without the appropriate certification is not only dangerous, it’s also likely to invalidate your home insurance, cause problems when selling the property, and potentially breach your mortgage conditions.

Always use a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC, NAPIT, or Elecsa.

Does home insurance cover rewiring costs?

Standard home insurance does not cover rewiring as a maintenance upgrade or a precautionary measure. It’s considered routine upkeep rather than an insurable event.

However, if your electrical system is damaged as a direct result of an insured event, such as a fire, a lightning strike, or escape of water, your buildings insurance may cover the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged wiring as part of the wider claim.

If you carry out a rewire and subsequently want to make sure your home is properly insured for its updated value, it’s worth reviewing your building insurance to ensure the rebuild cost accurately reflects the current state of the property.

For landlords, rewiring costs may be treated as a repair expense and could be tax-deductible. Speak to an accountant for advice specific to your situation.

How to find a reliable electrician

Rewiring is a significant investment, so choosing the right electrician matters.

• Get at least three quotes. This gives you a realistic range and helps identify any outliers.
• Check registration. Look for electricians registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or another approved competent person scheme. Registration means their work is regularly assessed for quality and compliance.
• Ask for evidence of past work. Reviews, references, or examples of similar projects are all reasonable to ask for.
• Confirm they have public liability insurance. This protects you if something goes wrong during the job.
• Don’t automatically choose the cheapest. A significantly lower quote can sometimes indicate corners being cut. Experience, qualifications, and reliability matter.

Signs your home needs rewiring

If you’re unsure whether your home needs a full rewire, here are the most common warning signs:

• Lights flickering or dimming randomly
• Circuit breakers tripping frequently
• Burning smell from sockets or switches
• Discoloured or warm plug sockets
• Old-style round pin sockets or fuse wire in the consumer unit
• Rubber or fabric-insulated cables (typically found in pre-1970s properties)

If you notice any of these, have an electrician carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) before deciding on the extent of work needed.

Before we go

Rewiring your home is a significant but worthwhile investment in safety and reliability. Budget carefully, get multiple quotes from registered electricians, and don’t cut corners on qualifications. Home insurance won’t cover the cost of a planned rewire, but it may cover electrical damage caused by an insured event, so it’s worth knowing what your policy includes.

Lemonade’s home insurance is designed to be clear about what’s covered, so you always know where you stand.

Rewiring a house FAQs