Checkatrade puts the average cost of rewiring a three-bedroom house at £6,225 plus VAT, within a range of £4,450 to £8,000, and says the job takes six to ten days. Which?'s survey of its Trusted Traders found a far wider spread, from £4,000 to £18,000 for a three-bedroom semi, so compare several itemised quotes before you commit.
Rewiring costs by property size
Checkatrade's averages, updated October 2026 and excluding VAT, are about £3,900 for a one-bedroom flat, £4,800 for a two-bedroom flat or house, £6,225 for a three-bedroom house, £7,730 for a four-bedroom house and £10,000 for a five-bedroom house. Its typical ranges are £4,450 to £8,000 for a three-bedroom house, £6,080 to £9,380 for four bedrooms and £7,500 to £12,500 for five.
Why quotes vary so much
Which?'s November 2025 survey of 19 Trusted Traders gives wide ranges, excluding VAT: £3,000 to £12,000 for a two-bedroom terrace with six rooms, £4,000 to £18,000 for a three-bedroom semi with eight rooms, and £5,000 to £25,000 for a four-bedroom detached house with 10 rooms. Which? says prices are likely to be at the upper end in London and the South East, and Checkatrade points to location, fittings and the complexity of the job. Checkatrade gives a typical electrician's rate of £400 a day, or £40 to £70 an hour. Check whether each quote includes making good the plaster and redecorating, as these can be priced separately.
How long a rewire takes
Checkatrade estimates four to seven days for a one- or two-bedroom flat, six to ten days for a three-bedroom house and ten to fifteen days for a five-bedroom house. Which?'s traders gave similar timings: five to eight days for a two-bedroom terrace, six to ten for a three-bedroom semi and ten to fifteen for a four-bedroom detached house.
Signs your house may need rewiring
Electrical Safety First lists features of older installations that may need replacing: cables coated in black rubber, which were phased out in the 1960s, or in lead or fabric, which are older still; a fuse box with a wooden back or cast-iron switches; round-pin sockets and round light switches; and black switches or sockets mounted in skirting boards. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) will tell you whether the wiring is safe for continued use. Checkatrade suggests that if your home is over 30 years old and hasn't been rewired, you factor the cost into renovation plans, as combining projects is often more cost-effective.
Building regulations and certificates
A full or partial rewire is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England, according to the official electrical competent person register. A registered electrician can self-certify it, and when the job is finished you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate, according to Electrical Safety First. Keep both somewhere safe: the official register notes you may need them as proof the work was done safely, especially when you sell.
Just replacing the fuse box
If the wiring is sound but the consumer unit is old, Which? found replacing the fuse box in a standard three-bedroom semi costs £500 to £1,500 excluding VAT, taking half a day to a day. Replacing a consumer unit is also notifiable in England, so you should get the same two certificates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bed house?
Checkatrade gives an average of £6,225 plus VAT, with most jobs between £4,450 and £8,000. Which?'s survey found a wider range of £4,000 to £18,000 for a three-bedroom semi, excluding VAT.
Does a rewire need building regulations approval?
Yes. A full or partial rewire is notifiable in England. A registered electrician will self-certify the work and arrange your Building Regulations Compliance Certificate; otherwise building control must be told before the work starts.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Look for the warning signs Electrical Safety First lists, such as rubber- or fabric-coated cables, a wooden-backed fuse box or round-pin sockets, and get an Electrical Installation Condition Report. Which? found one costs £100 to £330 for a three-bedroom semi.
How much do electricians charge per day?
Checkatrade gives a typical rate of £400 a day, or £40 to £70 an hour.
Where this information comes from
- Checkatrade — House rewiring cost guide
- Which? — How much do electricians cost?
- Electrical Safety First — Periodic inspection and testing
- Electrical Safety First — Part P of the Building Regulations
- Registered Competent Person Electrical — Building Regulations explained
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Last checked 2026-10-22.
