DATA-BACKED GUIDE · UPDATED JULY 2026
House rewire cost in the UK by number of bedrooms
A full rewire is one of the more disruptive jobs a home can go through, and the cost scales roughly with the size of the property. A one bed flat is a world away from a five bed house in both time and materials. The real prices below come from actual prices, grouped so you can find something close to your own place.
The quick version
- Rewire cost rises with the number of bedrooms because there are more rooms, sockets and cable runs.
- A rewire must meet Part P building regulations and be done by a competent, registered electrician.
- Whether you live in the house during the work affects how long it takes and how much making good is needed.
- Adding extra sockets, downlights or a new consumer unit on top of the rewire increases the total.
What people actually paid
Real prices, in people's own words
- £4,200“I paid £4,200 for 3 bed rewire, including porch light and moving consumer board in 2020 (Somerset)”
- £4,600“I paid 4.6k for a 4 bed detached, including a mains alarm”
- £4,600“I paid 4.6k for a 4 bed detached, including a mains alarm”
- £7,000“the cost for materials and labour is coming in at nearly £7000. (plus the kitchen cost that was over £1700, so nearly £9000 total.)”
Genuine amounts posted publicly. We publish the price and the quote, never the person.
Why the price varies so much
The headline driver is size, since more bedrooms mean more circuits, more cable, and more days on site. Beyond that, the age and layout of the house matter; a period property with solid walls and awkward access takes longer than a modern one with easy voids. The number of new sockets, light points and any smart or extra circuits you specify all add up. Plaster making good after cables are chased in is a real cost people forget. Every rewire must comply with Part P building regulations and be signed off by a registered electrician, and a national firm usually quotes above a local one for the same scope.
How to pay less
- Get three quotes from registered electricians and check each covers the same number of sockets and points.
- Rewire while the house is empty or during other building work to cut disruption and making good costs.
- Decide your socket and light positions up front so there are no expensive changes mid job.
- Ask whether a partial rewire is enough if only some circuits are actually at end of life.
Common questions
How long does a full house rewire take?
It depends on size, but a small flat might take a few days while a larger house can run to a couple of weeks. Living in the property during the work usually slows it down. The real prices below reflect typical jobs, and your electrician can give a timeline after a survey.
Does a rewire need building regulations sign-off?
Yes. Electrical work like a rewire must meet Part P building regulations and be carried out by a competent, registered electrician. They will test the installation and issue a certificate, which you should keep for insurance and for when you come to sell the home.
Do I need to move out during a rewire?
You do not have to, but it is easier and often quicker if you can. Floors come up and walls are chased, so rooms are out of action for a time. Rewiring an empty house speeds the job and can reduce the labour and making good in your final bill.