A rewire is one of the bigger jobs a home will ever need, and the quotes can vary enough to make you wonder what’s fair. The honest answer is that cost tracks the size of the property, its age and access, and where you are — and there’s one line most quotes leave out entirely. Here’s a clear 2026 breakdown by bedroom size, per room, and per square metre, so you can budget properly.

Full house rewire cost by size

As a 2026 guide for a full rewire including a new consumer unit, new cabling, and certification:

• 1–2 bed flat: around £3,200–£4,800
• 2-bed house: around £4,000–£5,500
• 3-bed semi: around £4,500–£8,000
• 4-bed house: around £6,000–£9,500
• 5-bed detached: around £10,000–£16,000
• Mid-terrace: typically £3,800–£5,800

London and the South East sit at the top of these ranges — a 3-bed rewire that’s ~£7,000 in the Midlands can reach £9,000+ in London.

Cost per room and per square metre

If you’re rewiring part of a property or want a rough check, two other ways to look at it:

• Per square metre: most full rewires work out at roughly £60–£95 per m².
• Per room: as a rule of thumb, budget a few hundred pounds per room for the wiring, sockets, and switches — though kitchens and bathrooms cost more (more circuits, more regulations).

A partial rewire (one floor, a kitchen, or specific circuits) is priced on the rooms and circuits involved rather than the whole house.

The cost most quotes leave out: making good

This is the one that catches people out. Chasing cables into walls and lifting floors leaves channels and damage that have to be filled, plastered, and redecorated afterwards. That’s usually separate from the electrician’s quote:

• Plastering / making good: roughly £1,000–£2,500 for a 3-bed house
• Redecorating: because a full rewire touches most rooms, budget to repaint each affected room

Most electricians quote to “chased and made good to a plasterable standard” — the final skim and decoration is your cost. Always ask exactly where the line is.

What affects the price

• Property size — more rooms, more circuits, more cable.
• Age and construction — Victorian and Edwardian homes with solid walls and lath-and-plaster cost more, as the work is harder and messier. (See our period property rewiring guide.)
• Access — suspended floors and awkward routes add labour.
• Scope — extra sockets, outdoor supply, EV-ready circuits, or a kitchen/bathroom add to it.
• Location — London and the South East are dearest.
• Asbestos, if present, must be dealt with before work starts.

How long does it take?

• Flat: roughly 3–5 days
• 3-bed house: typically 5–10 days
• Larger / period homes: two weeks or more

The power is off in worked-on areas, and many people move out for the messiest stage.

What’s included in a rewire quote

A proper full-rewire price should include new cabling throughout, a new consumer unit, sockets/switches/fittings, testing, and an Electrical Installation Certificate with Part P notification. Confirm whether making good is included (usually it’s to plasterable standard only) and whether there are extras like outdoor circuits.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bed house? Around £4,500–£8,000 for a full rewire including a new consumer unit, with London at the higher end. Making good and redecorating are extra.

How much to rewire a flat? A 1–2 bed flat is typically £3,200–£4,800 for a full rewire.

What about a 4 or 5 bed house? Roughly £6,000–£9,500 for a 4-bed and £10,000–£16,000 for a 5-bed detached, depending on access and location.

Can I rewire just part of the house? Yes — a partial rewire is priced on the rooms and circuits involved. An EICR is the best way to confirm whether you need a full or partial rewire.

Why is making good extra? Chasing cables into walls leaves channels that need plastering and repainting — usually £1,000–£2,500 of plastering for a 3-bed, plus decoration. Most quotes cover “chased and made good to a plasterable standard,” not the final finish.

Why does London cost more? Higher labour and business costs put London and the South East at the top of national rewire price ranges.

How long does a rewire take? A flat 3–5 days, a 3-bed house 5–10 days, larger or period homes two weeks or more.

Get an honest rewire quote

We’ll scope your rewire properly — full or partial, what’s included, and a clear figure including where making good begins, so there are no surprises. GFL Electrical are NICEIC-approved electricians serving East London.

See our house rewiring service or get in touch for a quote.