EXPERT ADVICE
The complete guide to rewiring a house
Updated 07/26
By: Content Team
Reviewed: Kim Staples
Electricity is something most of us take for granted - until something goes wrong. Behind most walls and under flooring, electrical cables carry power to every room in your property.
When your home actually needs rewiring
What a full house rewire involves, start to finish
The regulations and certifications you need to know about
How long the process takes and how disruptive it really is
What a house rewire costs - and where to get an accurate estimate
How to find a checked, qualified electrician for the job
Rewiring a house isn't a small job. But it could be one of the most important investments you can make - protecting your household, improving your home's value, and bringing your electrics up to current safety standards.
In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know: warning signs that mean you should rewire, what the process involves, the regulations that must be followed, and how to find the right electrician for the job.
Find an electrician to rewire your house
Rewiring a house - everything you need to know and consider
You’d be amazed at the sheer number of electrical cables hidden all over your home. It’s no surprise that rewiring a house isn’t a quick and easy job. A full house rewire needs to be done carefully and expertly to avoid the risk of fires or electrocution.
In fact, rewiring a house involves:
Replacing back boxes on switches and sockets
Running new electrical cables throughout the house
Changing the wiring on lighting and power circuits
Rewiring any telephone sockets
Relocating any hard to access sockets
Optional upgrading to new technology e.g. smart lighting
What’s more, there's a range of different advantages to a house rewire. These include reduced chance of fires and shocks, adding value to your home and increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
Does my house need rewiring?
Not every property needs a full rewire. The key is knowing what to look for.
The most reliable way to assess your electrical installation is with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), carried out by a qualified electrician. Homeowners should arrange one every 10 years, and landlords every 5 years for rented properties.
When buying an older property, always request an EICR before exchanging contracts. Outdated or unsafe wiring can affect your insurance eligibility and may deter future buyers.
If you haven't had an EICR recently, these are the warning signs to watch for:
Flickering or dimming lights - These aren't just an issue with your light bulbs - it can indicate wiring faults
Frequently tripping circuit breakers - This suggests an overloaded or faulty system
Discoloured or damaged sockets and switches - A sure sign of heat damage or arcing, which needs fixing
Burning smells near sockets - This is a serious hazard. If you smell burning, turn off the power and call an electrician immediately
Electric shocks from switches or appliances - Never ignore this, as it signals danger. Call an electrician.
Worn, frayed, or visibly damaged cables - Especially old rubber-sheathed wiring. This is a clear indicator that it needs replacing
As a general rule, electricians recommend rewiring every 25-30 years. If your home is older than that and hasn't been touched, it's time to have an inspection.
How to tell if your house needs rewiring
If you’ve lived in your home a considerable length of time (or if you’ve just moved into an older house), chances are it could be due an electrical rewire. We explore what this involves and how much it costs.
What does rewiring a house involve?
A full house rewire replaces all the electrical cables, fittings, and usually the consumer unit throughout your property. It's a significant undertaking - but by understanding what's involved, you can plan for the rewire effectively.
What gets replaced
A full rewire typically includes replacing the following:
All power and lighting cables throughout the property
Switches and socket back boxes
Lighting circuits and connections
Earth bonding
Consumer unit (fuseboard) upgrade where required
Optional upgrades you can spring for include USB sockets, smart lighting, EV charger wiring, and more.
First fix and second fix
The rewiring process is split into two stages.
During first fix, the electrician installs all the new cabling - including chasing channels into walls, lifting floorboards, and running cables to their correct positions. The walls can then be re-plastered.
During second fix, once decorating is complete, they return to connect all the fittings, switches, sockets, and fixtures.
They then carry out a full test and inspection before issuing you with your certification.
This is why the best time to rewire is during a renovation. When your walls are already open and the floors already lifted, accessing the electrics is far easier and the cost comes down.
How disruptive is rewiring a house?
The honest answer is that it depends on your property and how well you plan.
Rewiring will involve lifting floorboards, chasing channels into walls, and some replastering once cables are in place. Furniture needs to be cleared from affected areas, and you'll be without power in sections of the house while work progresses.
Some homeowners choose to move out during a full rewire, especially if it's a complex job on a larger property. Many electricians will even increase their price for an occupied rewire due to the additional time involved.
Planning your rewire during a longer holiday can sometimes be more cost-effective than working around your household.
If you're also planning central heating work, new flooring, or a kitchen or bathroom refit, sort the rewiring first. This means the cables can be run before walls are finished and floors are laid.
Rewiring a house regulations
To ensure the safety of you and your family, and reduce the dangers of electrical fires, there are a number of regulations for rewiring a house that need to be adhered to.
All electrical work in the UK must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. This means you need to notify your local building control before work begins, and all work must be inspected and certified on completion.
The easiest way to handle this is to hire an electrician who is registered with a government-approved Competent Person scheme. Electricians registered with NICEIC, ELECSA, or NAPIT can self-certify their own work and issue the required certification directly. That takes the building control notification off your plate!
Never hire an unregistered electrician for rewiring work and then attempt to get it signed off by a third party. Certification must be issued by someone who has inspected and tested the installation throughout the process, not just at the end.
On completion of a full rewire, you should receive:
An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) confirming the work meets current wiring regulations (BS 7671)
A Part P notification submitted to your local authority
Keep this documentation safe. You'll need it when you sell the property, and your insurer may ask to see it.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
Expect a house rewire to take a few days, depending on the size and complexity of your property. As a rough guide:
Property size | Estimated duration |
|---|---|
1-bedroom flat | 2-4 days |
2-bedroom house | 4-5 days |
3-bedroom house | 6-10 days |
4-bedroom house | 8-15 days |
If you're rewiring your house while it's occupied, it will typically take a little longer, since the electrician will need to work around furniture and your household - including switching off and restoring the power after each session.
One way to minimise the disruption is to have your house rewired across multiple jobs. Some electricians would be happy, for instance, to rewire one floor of the house, then come back later in a few weeks to rewire the next floor.
How long does it take to rewire a house?
Ever wondered how long it takes to rewire a house? Protect your home & family with our guide. Covering timescales, benefits & prices for a house rewire.
How much does rewiring a house cost?
The cost to rewire a house ranges from an average of £3,900 for a 1-bed flat, up to an average of £10,000 for a large 5-bed house.
The exact price you pay for rewiring depends on your property size, its age and condition, your location, and the complexity of the job.
Rewiring a house is a complex, arduous job and as such can be quite expensive. Of course, the benefits far outweigh any cost.
For the full details, take a look at our house rewiring cost guide, where you can find more prices, guidance and handy tips as well as timescales and more.
How much does it cost to rewire a house in the UK?
Bought a new property or looking to upgrade the wiring in your existing house? Find out the average house rewiring costs to help plan your budget.
Can I rewire my house myself?
The short answer is no. It's very risky and can cause more problems.
Technically, you can carry out some of the physical work, like chasing walls. However, all electrical connections must be carried out by a competent person, and the work must be tested, certified, and notified to building control.
Any wrong move with your electrics could be catastrophic. You risk electrocution, death or injury, or completely ruining your electrics. You'll also risk voiding your home insurance and making it difficult to sell or rent your property.
The best option is to hire an electrician to do the work for you. It'll save you time and energy, and guarantee the wiring is done to a high, safe standard.
How to find the right electrician for a house rewire
Rewiring is not the job to cut corners on. Here's what to look for:
Registration with NICEIC, ELECSA, or NAPIT - These are the government-approved Competent Person schemes for electrical work. Registered electricians can self-certify their work.
Experience with rewires - Ask to see examples of similar jobs and read recent reviews from previous customers.
Detailed written quotes - Always get quotes from a few different electricians, with a breakdown covering labour, materials, and any additional costs such as plasterwork.
A clear timeline - Get confirmation of what's included in the price, and the timeline you can expect it in.
Always confirm who will notify building control and issue the certification. A registered electrician handles this as part of the job.
Why choose a professional house rewiring service?
While it may be possible for you to do a lot of the work yourself, it will be very time consuming. Not to mention you could cause untold damage to your walls and flooring, yourself, and your home.
Choosing to hire an electrician to complete the work will save you time and ensure the job is done quickly and to the highest standards.
Find an electrician to rewire your house
Checklist: Planning for your house rewire
Before work begins, use our checklist to tick off the practical steps you can take to make the process smoother.
Your house rewire planning checklist
FAQs
Electricians usually recommend a full rewire every 25-30 years. If your home has never been rewired and is older than that, arrange an EICR to assess the current condition before deciding whether a full or partial rewire is needed.
Yes, in most cases - though bear in mind it isn't always comfortable. Expect noise, dust, and periods without power in certain rooms.
Many homeowners choose to move out temporarily for larger, whole-house rewires, particularly if they have young children.
No. Planning permission isn't required. The only regulation the job must comply with is Part P of the Building Regulations, as well as notifying building control. The registered electrician you hire will handle this for you.
You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) confirming the work complies with BS 7671, along with a Part P notification number. Keep both documents - you'll need them when selling the property.
Yes, it can do. Modern, certified wiring is a selling point and can make an older property more attractive to buyers. Outdated wiring can affect insurance eligibility and may put off purchasers or their mortgage lenders.
A full rewire replaces all cables, circuits, and usually the consumer unit throughout the property.
A partial rewire updates specific circuits or rooms - for example, after an extension, or if an EICR identifies isolated faults rather than system-wide deterioration.
No, not usually. The only possible exception is if the rewire is required as a result of an insured event such as a fire or flood. Always check with your insurer.
Deteriorating wiring increases the risk of electrical fires, shocks, and power failures. It can also affect your home insurance and make the property harder to sell. If an EICR identifies serious faults, your insurer may refuse to pay out on claims related to electrical faults.
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