A house rewire is one of the largest electrical jobs you can have done, but for properties with old or deteriorated wiring it is often essential for safety. Understanding what is involved and what affects the cost helps you budget accurately and avoid surprises.
What Is Included in a Full Rewire?
A full rewire replaces all of the existing wiring in your property from the consumer unit outward. This typically includes:
- All cable behind walls, floors and ceilings replaced with new PVC-insulated cable
- New consumer unit (fuse box) with modern RCD/RCBO protection
- New back boxes and accessories (sockets, switches, light fittings)
- All circuits tested and certified on completion
- Electrical Installation Certificate provided
- Building Control notification via Part P
Approximate Costs by Property Size (UK, 2025)
Prices vary by region, access difficulty and specification, but as a rough guide:
| Property | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom flat | £1,800 – £2,800 |
| 2-bedroom house | £2,500 – £4,000 |
| 3-bedroom semi | £3,500 – £5,500 |
| 4-bedroom detached | £5,000 – £8,000 |
| 5+ bedroom | £7,000 – £12,000+ |
These are indicative figures. A partial rewire or rewire of specific circuits will cost considerably less.
What Affects the Cost?
- Access — Solid walls, concrete floors and inaccessible voids increase labour time and may require more chasing/patching
- Number of circuits — Additional sockets, data points and specialist circuits add to the price
- Accessories specification — Chrome or designer sockets and switches cost more than standard white
- Decoration — Rewires always cause some decoration damage. Patching plaster is usually included; full redecoration is typically the homeowner's responsibility
- Age of property — Victorian and Edwardian properties often have more complex routes and difficult access
How Long Does a Rewire Take?
A 3-bedroom semi-detached typically takes 5–7 days. A larger property may take 2 weeks. We work room by room to minimise disruption and keep the rest of the house operational where possible.
Partial Rewires
If only certain circuits are problematic — for example, old rubber wiring in the kitchen or a condemned circuit flagged on an EICR — a partial rewire is possible. This addresses the affected circuits without replacing the entire installation.
Get a Fixed Quote
At Onyx Electrical Solutions we provide free, no-obligation fixed-price quotes for rewire work across Stockport and Greater Manchester. Call 07000 000000 to arrange a survey.