Fixington

Rewire a House

Trade: Electrician

⭐ Introduction

Rewiring a house means replacing the electrical wiring and components throughout your home. It is usually needed when the existing wiring is old, faulty, or not up to current safety standards. Many UK homes built before the 1960s, or with outdated installations, could benefit from a full or partial rewire.

Typical reasons to rewire include:

  • Frequent tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
  • Deteriorating or damaged wiring insulation
  • Adding more power points or modern lighting circuits
  • Ensuring compliance with the latest UK wiring regulations (BS 7671)
  • Increasing home safety by reducing fire risk

A properly completed rewire ensures your electrical system is safe, reliable, and ready for modern power demands.

🔧 What the job involves

Rewiring a house is a comprehensive electrical upgrade. It typically includes:

  • Removing old cables, sockets, switches, and fuse boards
  • Running new wiring throughout walls, floors, and ceilings
  • Installing new consumer units (often called fuse boards) with modern circuit breakers or RCDs (residual current devices)
  • Fitting updated sockets, switches and light fittings where needed
  • Testing the new installation for safety and compliance with BS 7671 wiring regulations
  • Certifying the work with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)

Electricians plan the rewire to suit your needs — for example, adding more power points or dedicated circuits for appliances. They take care to respect the structure of your home, minimising intrusive work where possible.

📝 Step-by-step from booking to completion

  1. Initial enquiry: Contact a registered electrician or electrical contractor to discuss your needs. They may ask about your home’s age, symptoms, or upgrades you want.

  2. Survey and quote: The electrician visits to inspect wiring, assess access, and discuss your requirements. They provide a detailed estimate outlining costs and timescales.

  3. Agree and schedule: You accept the quote and agree a start date. The electrician confirms arrangements, including any preparations needed.

  4. Work begins: The electrician disconnects power, removes old wiring, and installs new cables, sockets, switches, and consumer unit. This may require access via ceilings, floors, loft, or walls.

  5. Inspection and testing: Once installation is complete, the electrician tests circuits for faults, insulation, earth continuity and polarity. Any issues must be rectified.

  6. Certification issued: You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate proving the work complies with BS 7671 and Building Regulations Part P.

  7. Final clean-up: The electrician clears debris and restores any areas disturbed during the rewire.

  8. Post-work advice: The electrician explains your new setup, safety features, and maintenance tips.

💷 Main costs to expect

  • Labour: Electricians typically charge £200–£300 per day. A full rewire often takes 5–10 days depending on home size.
  • Materials and parts: New wiring (cables, breakers, sockets, switches), consumer unit, circuit breakers, consumer accessories — expect £500–£1,000+ depending on specification.
  • Disposal: Removing old wiring and consumer units may incur skip hire or disposal fees (~£100).
  • Certification: Issuing an Electrical Installation Certificate is usually included but can add £50–£100 if separate.
  • Extras: Additional works like creating new circuit rooms, extra sockets, USB points, or rewiring outbuildings can increase costs.

Example:
A 3-bedroom semi-detached home full rewire — £3,000 to £5,000 (labour + materials + certification).

📊 What affects the price

  • Access: How easy it is to reach wiring (wall types, floorboards, ceiling voids).
  • Home size and layout: Larger or more complex homes require more wiring and time.
  • Regulations: Compliance with BS 7671 and Building Regulations Part P adds costs but is essential for safety.
  • Remedial works: Finding damage or faults that need fixing adds to labour/time.
  • Additional sockets or lighting circuits: Custom requirements increase materials and complexity.
  • Age and condition of property: Older properties with unusual wiring configurations can complicate work.
  • Timeline: Faster turnarounds or working outside normal hours may cost more.
  • Location: Labour rates vary across the UK, typically higher in London and the South East.

⏱ How long does it take?

  • Partial rewire (e.g., kitchen or single room): 1–3 days
  • Full rewire (average 3–4 bedroom home): 5–10 working days
  • Large/complex properties: Up to 2 weeks or more

A straightforward swap of consumer units alone might take a few hours but a full house rewire requires careful removal and replacement of wiring with minimal disruption.

🏠 Can you DIY it?

Rewiring a house is not a recommended DIY project. Electrical work carries serious safety risks including fire and electric shock. In the UK, all rewiring must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. Only competent persons can self-certify electrical work — generally meaning registered electricians.

Key reasons to hire a professional:

  • Correct installation to BS 7671 standards
  • Safe handling of mains electricity and correct earthing
  • Proper testing and inspection
  • Issuing of official Electrical Installation Certificates
  • Avoiding potentially costly or dangerous mistakes

Attempting a DIY rewire risks non-compliance, invalidating insurance, and hazards.

💰 Typical UK price range

For a full house rewire, expect roughly:

£3,000 to £6,000 + VAT

This depends on house size, complexity, and specification. Partial rewiring or upgrading consumer units alone costs significantly less.

All professional electricians will add VAT at the current standard rate (20%) unless you qualify for any exemptions.

✅ Handy tips before you start

  • Consult a registered electrician: Check qualifications on the NICEIC or ELECSA register.
  • Request detailed written quotes: Avoid surprises by getting clear cost breakdowns.
  • Prepare your home: Remove furniture from work areas, clear floors, and ensure good access.
  • Expect power interruptions: Plan for no electricity during parts of the job.
  • Keep paperwork safe: Certificates and test reports are important for insurance and future sales.
  • Check warranty: Most electricians provide guarantees on parts and labour—confirm what’s covered.
  • Aftercare: Get advice on maintaining your new installation and testing intervals.

Rewiring is a significant investment in your home’s safety and value. Being well prepared helps the process run smoothly and ensures peace of mind.