What drives the cost of a house rewire
The factors that actually drive a rewire quote — property size, access, cable routes, board work and making good — and how to compare quotes fairly.
Rewire quotes vary far more than people expect, and the spread is rarely about profit margin. It is about scope: how many circuits, how much access, whether the board is included, whether making good is included, and whether the quote assumes an empty house or a lived-in one.
Rather than publish a number that means nothing without those details, here is what each factor does to the price so you can read any quote — ours or anyone else's — properly.
- Number of circuits and accessory count, not just floor area
- Access: suspended timber floors are far cheaper than solid concrete
- Whether the consumer unit and earthing upgrade is included
- Whether making good and plastering is in scope or excluded
Access is the biggest single variable
A property with a loft and suspended timber floors lets cables be dropped and pulled with minimal chasing. Solid floors and lath-and-plaster ceilings force different routes, more chasing and considerably more making good.
Two houses of identical size can differ substantially for this reason alone, which is why any quote given without a site visit is a guess.
Scope items to check line by line
Does the price include a new consumer unit? Main protective bonding to gas and water? The number of sockets you actually want, or a minimum specification? Chasing filled ready for decoration, or fully plastered? Lifting and relaying carpets and laminate?
Most apparent price differences between quotes disappear once these are matched.
Occupied versus empty
Working in an empty property is faster. In an occupied house we work room by room, protect floors and furniture, and restore power each evening — all of which is correct, and all of which takes longer.
Common questions
How long does a rewire take?
A typical three-bed terrace runs around five to seven working days; larger detached properties longer. We commit to a finish date at quote stage.
Can I stay in the house?
Most people do. We sequence the work so you keep power to essentials each night.
Is plastering included?
We fill chases ready for decoration and can coordinate with your plasterer. Full replastering is quoted separately so you can see it clearly.
Get a fixed price
Get a written fixed quote after a free survey — no hourly extras, and every scope item listed so you can compare like for like.