Full house rewire: costs, disruption and hiring an electrician

A guide to commissioning a full house rewire: what it involves, who to hire, realistic costs, and how to avoid rogue traders.

RW-01What a full rewire actually involvesA full rewire replaces all the cabling in your home, plus the consumer unit (fuse box), sockets, switches and light fittings. It usually means lifting floorboards, chasing channels into walls for new cable, then replastering. Expect disruption through the whole house, not just one room, and dust everywhere. It typically takes one to three weeks on site, depending on the size of the house.

RW-02Check whether the work is notifiableA full rewire comes under Part P of the Building Regulations. It must be notified to Building Control either way: by using an electrician registered with a Competent Person Scheme (such as NICEIC or NAPIT) who self-certifies the work, or by notifying your local council's Building Control team directly and paying for their inspection. Ask any electrician which route they use before you book them. HomeGraft has a 'Know the rules' guide on Part P.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Part P of the Building Regulations applies in England and Wales. A full rewire must be certified by a registered electrician or signed off by Building Control. Without this, you may struggle to sell the house or claim on insurance later.

RW-03Who to hire, and in what orderFor a standard rewire you need a registered electrician first and foremost; a plasterer or decorator comes in afterwards to make good the walls and ceilings. If the house has structural issues, or cabling needs to run through load-bearing walls or floors in an unusual way, get a structural engineer's opinion before the electrician starts, not during the job. Book the electrician's survey well in advance, as good ones are often booked up months ahead.

RW-04Realistic costs and timescaleFor a typical three-bedroom semi or terrace outside London, expect £3,500 to £7,000 for a full rewire in 2026. A larger or detached four-bedroom house can run from £6,000 to £10,000 or more. Costs rise toward the top of the range for solid-wall houses needing more chasing, extra sockets and circuits, higher-spec fittings, or difficult access. London and the South East usually cost more than these figures. On-site work typically takes one to three weeks, plus another one to two weeks for plastering and decorating afterwards.

RW-05What a good quote should containA proper quote should list the number of circuits, the position of every socket, switch and light (or confirm a detailed survey will set this), the consumer unit specification, and whether chasing and making good are included or extra. It should also state who clears rubble and dust, the start and finish dates, the payment schedule, proof of registration and insurance, and confirmation that you'll get a Part P completion certificate. Get at least two or three written quotes before deciding.

RW-06Questions to ask, and red flagsAsk: Are you registered with a Competent Person Scheme, and can I see proof? Will you issue a Part P certificate when the job's done? Who's responsible for making good the walls? What's your public liability insurance cover? Can I speak to a recent customer? Be wary of cash-only deals, no written quote, pressure to sign quickly, no mention of Part P at all, or a request for full payment upfront.

RW-07What commonly goes wrongPeople often underestimate how messy and disruptive a rewire is, and underbudget for the plastering and redecorating afterwards. Some end up without a Part P certificate, which causes problems when selling the house or claiming on insurance. Old wiring sometimes reveals extra problems mid-job, pushing up costs, and delays waiting for a plasterer or decorator to finish the job are common.

RW-08If you live in Wales, Scotland or Northern IrelandWales follows the same Part P system as England. Scotland works differently: there's no Part P, and electrical work, including a rewire, to a one- or two-storey house usually doesn't need a building warrant, but it must meet Scotland's building standards. Use an electrician in a certification scheme such as SELECT or NICEIC. Northern Ireland has its own building control system; check with your local council's building control service before any work begins.

RULES

KNOW THE RULES

Scotland has no Part P; electrical work must meet Scotland's building standards instead. Northern Ireland has a separate building control system again. Always confirm the current requirement with your local council before work starts.

KNOW THE RULES

Before you start: Which electrical jobs can I do myself? Part P explained · What is a Building Regulations completion certificate?

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