How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in 2026?
A full rewire on a 3-bed semi typically costs £3,000 to £5,500. Expect 5 to 7 working days with the house largely out of action - plus making good costs on top if your electrician does not include them.
£3k–£5.5k
3-bed cost
From £1,500
1-bed flat
5–7 days
Duration
+£500–£1.5k
Making good
Prices updated April 2026 · Based on industry data and contractor submissions.
Domestic electrical work falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. A full rewire must be carried out by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT, who will self-certify the work and notify Building Control. You will receive an Electrical Installation Certificate on completion - keep it safe for when you sell. For independent safety advice, visit Electrical Safety First.
House Rewiring Costs by Property Size
These are typical costs for a full rewire in the UK. Prices include first fix, second fix, testing, and certification - but not making good (replastering and repainting) unless stated.
| Property | Circuits | Typical Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed flat | 6–8 | £1,500 – £2,500 | 2–3 days |
| 2-bed terrace | 8–12 | £2,500 – £3,500 | 3–5 days |
| 3-bed semi | 12–16 | £3,000 – £5,500 | 5–7 days |
| 4-bed detached | 16–22 | £5,000 – £7,500 | 7–10 days |
| 5+ bed detached | 22+ | £7,000 – £10,000 | 10–14 days |
Prices based on industry averages for 2026. Actual costs vary by location, property age, and accessibility.
What Does a Full Rewire Actually Involve?
A rewire is one of the more disruptive jobs you can have done to your home. Here is what happens at each stage, so you know what to expect.
- 1
Strip out old cables
The electrician removes all existing wiring, sockets, switches, and the old consumer unit. In older properties this means pulling out decades-old rubber or lead-sheathed cables from under floors and through walls.
- 2
First fix - new cables run in
New cables are run throughout the house. Walls are chased (grooves cut into plaster) to route cables, floorboards are lifted to run wiring beneath, and back boxes for sockets and switches are fitted. This is the most disruptive stage.
- 3
Second fix - sockets, switches, and lights
Once the plastering and decorating are done (or at least the first fix plaster), the electrician returns to fit all the socket faceplates, light switches, light fittings, and connect the new consumer unit.
- 4
Testing and certification
Every circuit is tested to confirm it meets the current BS 7671 wiring regulations. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), and the electrician notifies Building Control under Part P. Keep this certificate safe - you will need it when you sell the property.
Do You Actually Need a Full Rewire?
Not every older house needs a complete strip-out. But certain signs mean the wiring is past the point of patching up. If you spot any of the following, get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) from a qualified electrician - it will tell you exactly what needs doing.
| Warning Sign | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Rubber or fabric-covered cables visible in loft or under floors | Rewire needed |
| Old round-pin sockets still in use | Rewire needed |
| No RCD protection on the consumer unit | Upgrade needed |
| Frequent tripping or blown fuses | Get an EICR |
| Burning smell from sockets or switches | Urgent - isolate and call an electrician |
| Scorch marks around sockets or the fuse board | Urgent - isolate and call an electrician |
| House not rewired in 25+ years | Get an EICR |
Full Rewire vs Partial Rewire
When a full rewire is necessary
If the house still has rubber or lead-sheathed cables, the entire installation is from the same era and none of it meets current standards. Patching old wiring with new creates junction points that can overheat, and no electrician worth their salt will certify a mixed installation where the old wiring is genuinely unsafe. Properties that have not been touched since the 1960s or earlier almost always need the lot doing.
When a partial rewire is enough
If the house was partially rewired in the 1980s or 1990s and some circuits are in decent condition, you may only need to replace the older sections. This is common in houses where a kitchen or bathroom was refitted and those circuits were renewed, but the rest of the house was left. A partial rewire might cost 40–60% of a full one, depending on how much needs replacing. Get an EICR first - it will flag exactly which circuits fail and which pass.
What to Expect During the Work
A rewire is disruptive - there is no getting around it. Knowing what to expect makes it easier to plan.
Dust and mess
Chasing walls produces a lot of dust. Your electrician should sheet up, but fine brick and plaster dust gets everywhere. Move furniture away from walls where possible and cover anything you do not want coated in dust. If you have respiratory issues, staying elsewhere during the first fix is worth considering seriously.
Power outages
You will lose power to different parts of the house at various stages. A good electrician will keep at least one circuit live for you where possible - enough for a kettle and phone charger - but do not count on having full power throughout. Sort out a portable phone charger and a cool box for essentials.
Floors and ceilings
Floorboards will be lifted to run cables between floors. In older houses with lath and plaster ceilings, some ceiling damage is almost inevitable. Your electrician should tell you upfront if they expect any ceiling work to be needed - factor the repair cost into your budget.
Making Good After a Rewire
This is where people get caught out. The electrical work is done, but your walls are full of chased-out channels and your house looks like a building site. Making good is not always included in the rewiring quote.
Typical making good costs
- Replastering chased walls (whole house)£300 – £800
- Repainting affected rooms£200 – £600
- Replacing damaged coving or skirting£100 – £300
- Total making good budget£500 – £1,500
Always ask your electrician whether their quote includes making good. Some will plaster over the chases as part of the job. Others will leave the walls chased and expect you to arrange a plasterer separately. Get it in writing either way.
Part P Certification - What You Need to Know
What is Part P?
Part P is the section of the Building Regulations that covers electrical safety in homes. Any work involving new circuits, a consumer unit replacement, or work in a kitchen or bathroom must comply with Part P. A full rewire falls squarely under this requirement.
How compliance works
If you use a Part P registered electrician (which you should), they will self-certify the work and notify your local Building Control on your behalf. You will receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate. If you use an electrician who is not Part P registered, you will need to apply to Building Control yourself before the work starts - this costs £200–£400 extra and involves a council inspector visiting to check the work.
Why it matters
When you sell your property, solicitors will ask for evidence that electrical work was done to Building Regulations. Without the proper certificates, you may need to pay for a retrospective inspection or face delays in the sale. The certificate also proves to insurers that the work was done properly - some policies will not cover damage caused by uncertified electrical work.
When Is the Best Time to Rewire?
During a renovation
If you are planning a kitchen refit, bathroom renovation, or extension, that is the perfect time. The walls are already being stripped, the plaster is coming off, and the electrician can run cables through open stud walls without needing to chase. You save on making good costs and the disruption only happens once instead of twice.
When you first move in
If you have just bought a property with old wiring, rewiring before you move your furniture in makes the job far easier and faster. The electrician has clear access to every room, and you do not have to live through the disruption. Many people get the rewire, any plastering, and a full redecorate done in one go before they move in.
Avoid winter if you can
A rewire often means the heating is off for periods while circuits are disconnected and reconnected. In the middle of winter, that makes an already uncomfortable job much worse. Spring and summer give you the best weather and more available electricians - although if your wiring is genuinely dangerous, do not wait regardless of the season.
Ready to get your rewire sorted?
Compare quotes from Part P registered electricians in your area. Free, no obligation - takes about 2 minutes.
Get Free QuotesHow to Get Your Rewire for Less
A rewire is a big job with a big price tag, but there are genuine ways to bring the cost down without cutting corners on safety.
Combine it with a renovation
If you are already having a kitchen or bathroom refitted, plastering done, or an extension built, that is the ideal time to rewire. The walls are already being opened up, which cuts the making good costs significantly. Electricians can also offer better rates when they know the plaster is coming off anyway.
Get at least three quotes
Rewiring costs vary enormously between electricians. We have seen quotes differ by £2,000 or more for the same property. Get at least three written quotes, and make sure each one specifies what is included - especially whether making good (replastering and painting) is part of the price or extra.
Consider a partial rewire if the wiring is mixed
Not every property needs a full strip-out. If some circuits are relatively modern (PVC-sheathed cables from the 1980s or later) and only certain areas have old wiring, a partial rewire can save you thousands. A good electrician will advise honestly after inspecting.
Do your own making good
A fair chunk of the cost is replastering chased walls and repainting afterwards. If you are handy with filler and a paintbrush, doing the making good yourself can save £500–£1,500. Just make sure the electrician has finished and signed off the work before you start filling in the chases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bed house?
A full rewire on a 3-bedroom semi-detached house typically costs between £3,000 and £5,500. The final price depends on the number of circuits, how accessible the cables are, the condition of the existing wiring, and whether you need additional sockets or lighting points adding at the same time.
How long does a full house rewire take?
A typical 3-bed semi takes 5 to 7 working days for the electrical work itself. Larger or older properties can take up to 2 weeks. Bear in mind you will also need time for making good afterwards - replastering chased walls and repainting - which can add another week or more depending on the extent of the work.
Can I live in my house while it is being rewired?
Technically yes, but it is not comfortable. You will lose power to different parts of the house at various stages, there will be significant dust from chasing walls, and floorboards will be lifted. Most people stay if they have no alternative, but if you can stay elsewhere for the first fix stage (the most disruptive part), it makes life a lot easier.
Does a rewire add value to a house?
A rewire does not typically add direct value in the way a new kitchen might, but it removes a significant barrier to sale. Buyers and surveyors flag outdated wiring, and mortgage lenders can refuse to lend on properties with unsafe electrics. A fresh Electrical Installation Certificate gives buyers confidence and avoids price reductions during negotiations.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
The clearest signs are rubber or fabric-covered cables (common in pre-1960s houses), old round-pin sockets, a fuse box with rewirable fuses instead of modern MCBs, no RCD protection, frequent tripping, or a burning smell from sockets. If your home has not been rewired in 30 years or more, get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) - it will tell you exactly what needs doing.
Do I need Building Regulations approval for a rewire?
Yes. All domestic electrical work that involves new circuits or replaces a consumer unit falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. If you use a Part P registered electrician - which you should - they will self-certify the work and notify Building Control on your behalf. You will receive an Electrical Installation Certificate as proof of compliance.
Written by James Carter, Less.co.uk energy specialist
Last updated: · Pricing based on industry data and verified contractor submissions · Methodology