How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?
What actually drives the cost of a house rewire, why online averages mislead, and how to compare quotations properly.
It's the first question most people ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on the house. Online price ranges can be a rough starting point, but they rarely say what's included, so two very different jobs end up being compared as if they were the same.
What drives the price
The biggest factors are the size of the property and how many circuits and points you want. After that come construction (suspended timber floors are quicker to work under than solid concrete; lath and plaster needs more care than modern plasterboard), access to lofts and floor voids, and whether the house is occupied.
The consumer unit, outbuilding supplies, accessory finishes and specialist lighting all add to the total. So does making good: some quotations include filling chases only, some include full replastering, and some include nothing at all.
Comparing quotations
Check each quote lists the number of sockets, lighting points and circuits, the consumer unit, what happens to old cabling, what making good is included, and testing and documentation. A cheaper quote that excludes plastering may not be cheaper once you've paid a plasterer.
Getting an accurate figure
The only way to get a reliable price is for someone to look at the property. That's what a survey is for.