How to Price a Full House Rewire UK 2026: A Complete Guide for Electricians

Pricing a full house rewire is one of the most complex quoting jobs an electrician faces. Get it wrong and you either lose the job on price or lose money on the contract. This guide walks through everything that goes into a rewire quote in 2026, including labour rates, materials, certification, and how to avoid the common mistakes that catch out even experienced sparks.

What Does a Full House Rewire Involve?

A full rewire replaces all the electrical wiring in a property — from the consumer unit (fuse board) to every socket, switch, light fitting, and fixed appliance connection. It typically includes:

• Replacing the consumer unit with a modern 18th Edition compliant unit
• New cabling throughout (2.5mm for ring finals, 1.5mm for lighting circuits, 4mm or 6mm for cooker/shower circuits)
• All back boxes, socket faceplates, and light switches
• First fix and second fix labour
• Making good after chasing (or agreeing that's excluded)
• EICR testing and BS 7671 certification
• Part P notification to Building Control

Understanding this scope upfront is essential — vague quotes lead to disputes and unpaid extras.

How to Price a House Rewire: The Core Formula

Most experienced electricians price rewires using a combination of points-based pricing and time estimation. Here's how to break it down:

1. Count Your Points

A point is any termination — a socket outlet, light switch, downlight, fused spur, etc. Count every point in the property and use a rate per point that covers both materials and labour for that type of point:

• Single socket: £60–£80 per point (supply and fit)
• Double socket: £65–£90 per point
• USB socket: £75–£100 per point
• 1-gang light switch: £50–£70 per point
• 2-gang light switch: £60–£80 per point
• Recessed downlight (LED): £65–£90 per point
• Ceiling rose / pendant: £45–£65 per point
• Cooker outlet (45A): £120–£180
• Shower circuit (10mm): £200–£350
• EV charger supply: £250–£400 (separate circuit + isolation)

2. Add Consumer Unit and Main Earthing

A modern 18-way dual RCD/RCBO consumer unit costs £180–£350 in materials. Budget at least 4 hours labour for board change + earthing works, plus the time to design the circuit layout and label everything properly. All-in: £450–£750 for a standard installation.

3. Add Prelims and Fixed Costs

• Part P building notification: £50–£75 (NICEIC/NAPIT/ELECSA registered firms handle this)
• EICR testing and certification: £150–£300 depending on circuits
• Skip hire (if stripping old wiring): £200–£400
• Protection and dust sheets: £50–£100

4. Apply Difficulty Multipliers

Not every property is straightforward. Adjust your base price for:

• Solid walls (brick/block chasing): +15–25%
• Listed building / conservation area: +20–35% (surface trunking, minimal chasing)
• Occupied property: +10–20% (working around residents, protecting furniture)
• Loft conversion or extension included: price separately per m² run
• Three-phase supply: significant uplift, quote separately

Typical Full Rewire Prices UK 2026

Based on industry rates, here's what a full rewire typically costs across property sizes. These are supply-and-fit prices excluding redecoration:

• 1-bed flat / studio: £2,500–£4,000
• 2-bed terraced house: £3,500–£5,500
• 3-bed semi-detached: £4,500–£7,000
• 4-bed detached: £6,500–£9,500
• 5-bed detached or larger: £9,000–£14,000+

London and the South East typically command a 20–30% premium over the rest of England. Scotland and Wales tend to be 5–10% below the England average.

What to Include in Your Rewire Quote

A professional rewire quote should clearly specify:

• Number of circuits, sockets, switches, and light points included
• Consumer unit make and model (e.g., Hager, Schneider, Wylex)
• Whether making good is included or excluded — and if excluded, what you'll leave
• Cable routes (surface-run or chased in)
• Certification included (EICR, BS 7671 completion certificate)
• Whether Part P registration is included
• Payment terms and stage payments for larger jobs
• Any exclusions (smart home devices, data cabling, AV, security systems)

Vague quotes lead to scope creep and disputes. The more specific you are, the more professional you appear — and the more protected you are if the client asks for extras.

Materials vs Labour Split

For a typical 3-bed house rewire, the split runs approximately:

• Materials: 35–45% of total price
• Labour: 55–65% of total price

If you're pricing materials at trade and billing at retail, that's where your materials margin sits. Never disclose your trade account pricing in a quote — simply list items at the rate you're charging.

How to Speed Up Your Quoting Process

Visiting every job just to count points takes time. Tools like MyQS let you upload floor plans and photos to generate itemised cost estimates instantly — useful for getting a ballpark figure before you commit to a full site survey, or for building a professional PDF quote to send to clients within minutes of viewing a property.

Common Mistakes Electricians Make When Quoting Rewires

• Not including certification costs — EICR and Part P fees add up
• Underpricing solid wall properties — chasing into brick is 3–4× slower than timber-frame
• Forgetting about outdoor sockets, garage supplies, or outbuildings
• Not specifying who does the making good — this is the most common dispute on rewires
• Not including a contingency for unknown existing installation issues — old rubber-insulated cable or Bakelite fittings slow everything down

Certification and Compliance

All notifiable electrical work in England and Wales must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. As a registered electrician (NICEIC, NAPIT, ELECSA, or equivalent), you self-certify and notify your scheme provider. Non-registered electricians must apply for a Local Authority Building Notice before work begins — a slower and more expensive route. Make sure your quote reflects whether you're handling certification or the client needs to arrange it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a full house rewire take?

A 3-bed house typically takes 3–5 days for two electricians working full days. Larger properties or those with solid walls can take 7–10 days. Factor your programme carefully — delays affect your cash flow on other jobs.

Do I need to notify Building Control for a full rewire?

Yes. A full rewire is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. If you're registered with a competent persons scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, etc.), you self-certify and your scheme notifies Building Control on your behalf. If you're not registered, you must submit a Building Notice before work starts.

Should I include making good in my rewire quote?

It's best practice to price making good separately or clearly exclude it. Most electricians exclude decoration but offer a day rate for filling and plastering chases. Whatever you decide, write it clearly in the quote. Disputes over making good are one of the most common sources of conflict on rewire jobs.

Start Winning More Rewire Quotes

Accurate pricing and a professional PDF quote will win you more rewire jobs than any other factor. Create a free MyQS account to start generating professional electrical quotes and compliance documents in minutes.