Full rewire, 2–4 bed home
Most common job
Solid walls and occupied homes cost more
If wiring is otherwise sound
How much does rewire cost in 2026?
Rewiring is priced largely by the number of rooms and circuits, the age and construction of the house, and whether anyone is living there during the work. The table below shows typical all-in labour-and-materials prices in 2026 before plastering and decorating.
| Job type | Typical 2026 range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat (full rewire) | £3,000–£4,500 | 3–5 days, fewer circuits |
| 2-bed house (full rewire) | £4,500–£6,000 | 4–6 days |
| 3-bed semi (full rewire) | £5,500–£7,500 | 5–8 days, most common job |
| 4-bed house (full rewire) | £7,000–£9,500 | 7–10 days |
| 5-bed / large or period home | £9,000–£15,000+ | Solid walls, more circuits, 10+ days |
| Partial rewire (1–2 rooms / circuits) | £2,000–£4,000 | Kitchen or upstairs only |
| Consumer unit replacement only | £550–£1,200 | RCBO board, EIC and notification |
| Extra socket / spur (per point) | £100–£180 | Add-on while electrician is on site |
What affects the cost
Two rewires of identical size can differ by thousands. The biggest factors are:
- Property size and circuit count — more rooms, sockets, lights and dedicated circuits (cooker, shower, EV charger) mean more cable and labour.
- Age and construction — solid brick or stone walls, lath-and-plaster, and inaccessible floors or lofts all slow the job down. Period homes routinely cost more.
- Occupied vs empty — working around furniture and residents adds roughly 20–40% to labour time, because the property must be made safe and habitable at the end of each day. An empty house can cut labour by 10–20%.
- Specification — extra sockets, smart switches, downlights, outdoor power and data cabling all push the price up.
- Region — London and the South East sit well above the national average.
Cost breakdown: labour vs materials
On a typical full rewire, labour is the dominant cost — often 60–75% of the total. Two electricians on a 3-bed home for a week is the core of what you're paying for.
Materials (cable, back boxes, sockets, switches, a new consumer unit) usually come to roughly £1,000–£2,000 for an average house. A modern RCBO consumer unit alone is £550–£1,200 fitted. Premium finishes — brushed steel sockets, smart lighting, integrated USB points — can add several hundred pounds without changing the underlying wiring.
The price should always include testing, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and notification under Part P (see below).
Don't forget making good and disruption
This is where budgets blow out. Rewiring means lifting floorboards and chasing channels into walls for cable, which creates dust, noise and holes that need filling. The electrician fills the chases roughly, but a finished result needs a plasterer to skim and then redecoration — usually a separate trade and a separate bill of £1,500–£2,500.
Power is typically off for several hours each day. Once you factor in plaster drying time (about a week) and decorating, a 3-bed rewire can stretch the overall disruption to three to four weeks even though the electrical work is 5–8 days. Doing it while the house is empty — between tenants, or before you move in — is far less stressful and cheaper.
Full rewire vs partial vs consumer unit only
You don't always need a full rewire. The right job depends on the condition of the existing installation:
- Full rewire (£4,500–£9,500) — all cabling and accessories replaced. Right for homes with old rubber/lead/fabric cabling, no earthing, or a wiring system 30+ years old.
- Partial rewire (£2,000–£4,000) — only specific circuits or rooms (e.g. a kitchen refit or upstairs). Cheaper, but staging a rewire over time usually costs more overall in repeated call-outs.
- Consumer unit upgrade only (£550–£1,200) — if the wiring is sound but the fuse board is outdated, a modern board with RCBO protection may be all you need.
A good electrician will recommend the least invasive option that's genuinely safe — be wary of anyone insisting on a full rewire without an inspection.
Common extras and hidden costs
Watch for these on top of the headline quote:
- Plastering and decorating — the big one, £1,500–£2,500.
- Asbestos checks in pre-2000 homes if Artex or old boards are disturbed.
- Lifting and relaying flooring — laminate, tiles or engineered boards may not survive being lifted.
- Upgrading the earthing/bonding to current standards.
- New circuits for a shower, cooker, EV charger or outbuilding.
- Scaffolding or access equipment for awkward properties.
How to save money without cutting corners
Rewiring is not a place to chase the cheapest quote, but you can keep costs sensible:
- Schedule it while the property is empty if you possibly can — the single biggest saving.
- Combine it with a renovation, kitchen or extension so walls are open anyway.
- Decide the full spec (socket positions, lighting, smart kit) before work starts to avoid expensive changes mid-job.
- Get three written, itemised quotes that clearly state whether making good is included.
- Source your own light fittings if you have specific tastes, but let the electrician supply standard accessories.
Signs you may need a rewire
Consider getting an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) if you notice:
- An old fuse box with rewireable fuses or a wooden/cast-iron back.
- Black rubber, fabric or lead-sheathed cabling, or round-pin sockets.
- Frequently tripping breakers, flickering lights, or warm/scorched sockets.
- No RCD protection, or no earthing to lights.
- A property that hasn't been rewired in 25–30+ years.
An EICR (around £150–£300) tells you whether a full rewire is genuinely needed or whether targeted remedial work will do.
Regional price differences (2026)
Where you live makes a real difference in 2026, driven by local labour rates. A 3-bed rewire that costs around £6,000 in the Midlands can reach £9,000 or more in London.
| Region | Typical 2026 range |
|---|---|
| London | £7,500–£12,000 |
| South East | £6,500–£10,000 |
| Midlands | £5,000–£7,500 |
| North of England | £4,500–£7,000 |
| Scotland & Wales | £4,500–£7,500 |
Cost estimator
Estimate a rough rewire budget based on your property size, construction and whether it's occupied.
This estimate is a budgeting tool, not a quote. Real prices vary — get local quotes for an accurate figure.
Get real quotesHow to save money
- Rewire while the property is empty — it can cut labour by 10–20% and removes weeks of disruption.
- Bundle the rewire with a renovation, extension or kitchen refit when walls and floors are already open.
- Finalise every socket, switch and light position before work starts to avoid costly mid-job changes.
- Get three itemised quotes and check each one states whether plastering and making good are included.
- Ask whether a partial rewire or consumer unit upgrade would be safe instead of a full rewire.
- Supply your own decorative light fittings if you want specific designs, but let the electrician provide standard sockets.
- Don't pay large sums up front — a deposit for materials is normal, the balance on completion and certification.
How long it takes
- 1-bed flat: typically 3–5 working days.
- Average 3-bed house: 5–8 working days for the electrical work.
- Large or period property: 10+ working days.
- Add about a week for plaster to dry, then a few days for decorating.
- Allow three to four weeks overall for a fully finished, redecorated home.
What's usually included
- Removal of old cabling and accessories
- New cable, sockets, switches and light fittings (standard spec)
- New consumer unit (fuse board) with RCBO protection
- Full testing and inspection
- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and Part P notification to Building Control
What's usually extra
- Plastering / skimming over chased walls
- Redecoration after the work
- Lifting and relaying flooring such as tiles or laminate
- Premium or smart accessories and decorative light fittings
- New dedicated circuits for EV charger, electric shower or outbuildings
- Asbestos surveys or removal where required
How to choose the right electricians
A rewire is notifiable work, so use an electrician registered with a Competent Person scheme — NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA. They can self-certify the work to BS 7671 (18th Edition) and notify Building Control on your behalf, so you receive proper certification.
- Are you registered with NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA — and can I see your registration number to verify it?
- Will you issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and notify the work under Part P?
- Does this quote include or exclude plastering and making good?
- How many days will it take, and will the property need to be empty?
- Will you carry out an inspection or EICR first to confirm a full rewire is actually needed?
- Can you provide references or photos from recent rewires of a similar property?
- Do you have public liability insurance, and what guarantee comes with the work?
Rewire cost FAQs
How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bedroom house in 2026?
Most 3-bed semis cost £5,500–£7,500 for the electrical work in 2026, before plastering and decorating. In London expect £7,500–£10,000 or more.
How long does a full house rewire take?
A 3-bed home usually takes 5–8 working days for the wiring. Add about a week for plaster to dry plus decorating, so allow three to four weeks for a fully finished home.
Does the price include plastering and making good?
Usually not. Electricians fill the chases roughly, but skimming and redecoration are normally a separate trade costing £1,500–£2,500. Always check what your quote covers.
Can I live in the house during a rewire?
Yes, but it adds 20–40% to labour time because the home must be made safe each evening, and it's dusty and disruptive. An empty property is faster, cheaper and far less stressful.
What's the difference between a full and partial rewire?
A full rewire replaces everything; a partial updates specific rooms or circuits (£2,000–£4,000). Partial is cheaper short-term, but staging a rewire usually costs more overall.
Do I need to rewire if I just want a new fuse board?
Not necessarily. If the existing wiring is sound, a consumer unit upgrade alone costs £550–£1,200. An EICR will tell you whether the wiring also needs replacing.
Is a rewire notifiable under Part P?
Yes. A full or partial rewire is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. A registered electrician self-certifies it and notifies Building Control, and you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate.
How do I know my home needs rewiring?
Common signs are an old rewireable fuse box, black rubber or fabric cabling, round-pin sockets, frequent tripping, or wiring over 25–30 years old. An EICR (around £150–£300) confirms it.
What's the difference between an EICR and an EIC?
An EICR is an inspection report on an existing installation. An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) certifies new work, such as a rewire, complies with BS 7671. You should receive an EIC after a rewire, not just an EICR.
What accreditation should my electrician have?
Look for membership of a Competent Person scheme — NICEIC, NAPIT or ELECSA. This lets them certify the work to BS 7671 and notify Building Control, and you can verify their number on the scheme's register.