A full house rewire is one of the biggest electrical investments a homeowner can make, and one of the hardest to get an honest price on before you ask around. As a guide, a full rewire in Hertfordshire typically costs between £3,500 and £8,000 depending on the size and layout of your property, with most 3-bedroom semis landing somewhere around £4,500 to £6,000. Below we break down what drives that range so you can budget realistically before you get a quote.
Typical rewire costs by property size
- 1-bedroom flat: £2,500 – £3,500
- 2-bedroom terrace: £3,500 – £5,000
- 3-bedroom semi: £4,500 – £6,500
- 4-bedroom detached: £6,500 – £9,000+
These figures cover a standard full rewire: new consumer unit, new cabling throughout, new sockets and switches, and certification. They assume reasonably straightforward access. Period properties, solid floors, and multi-storey houses with limited loft access all push costs toward the top of each range.
What actually affects the price
Property age and construction: Victorian and Edwardian properties with solid floors and lath-and-plaster walls take longer to rewire than a 1990s stud-wall semi, since cables often have to be chased into walls rather than run through cavities. This is one of the most common reasons a quote comes in higher than a neighbour’s for what looks like a similar house.
Full vs partial rewire: A partial rewire, updating specific circuits or areas rather than the whole property, costs proportionally less but is only appropriate when the rest of the installation is genuinely sound. We will always tell you honestly if a partial rewire is a false economy for your property.
Consumer unit condition: Most full rewire quotes include a new consumer unit as standard, since there is little point rewiring a property and leaving an outdated fuse board in place. If yours was replaced recently and meets current standards, this can sometimes be excluded.
Number of circuits and sockets: A rewire that also adds extra sockets, additional lighting circuits, or dedicated circuits for a home office or EV charger will cost more than a like-for-like replacement, but is often better value than doing it as a separate job later.
Making good: Rewiring inevitably involves lifting floorboards and chasing into walls. Most quotes include basic making good (patching plaster, refitting boards) but not decorating. If you want walls skimmed and repainted afterwards, factor that in separately or ask us to recommend a trusted decorator.
Signs your home might need a rewire
Rewiring isn’t always all-or-nothing. Common warning signs include: round-pin sockets or visible old rubber or fabric-covered cabling, a fuse box with rewireable fuses rather than circuit breakers, frequent tripping or flickering lights, sockets that feel warm to the touch, or an EICR report that’s flagged multiple C1 or C2 issues. If you’re not sure whether your property needs a full rewire or just an upgrade, we can advise honestly at a free site visit rather than assuming the most expensive option.
What’s included in our fixed-price quote
Every rewire quote we provide is itemised and fixed-price: no surprise extras on the day. It includes the new consumer unit with full RCD or RCBO protection, all new cabling and back boxes, replacement sockets and switches, testing and certification (Electrical Installation Certificate), and Part P Building Regulations compliance. We’ll always walk through the scope with you before starting, including any decisions about socket positions or additional circuits.
How long does a rewire take?
As a rough guide, a 3-bedroom semi typically takes 5 to 7 working days, a 2-bedroom flat 3 to 4 days, and a larger detached property 8 to 10 days or more. You will be without power for parts of each day while circuits are being worked on, and we’ll agree a schedule with you in advance so you can plan around it. Most homeowners can remain living in the property throughout, though it is disruptive, particularly in rooms actively being worked on.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Can I get a fixed price before work starts?
Yes. We provide a fixed, itemised quote after a free site visit, so you know the total cost before any work begins, with no surprise extras on the day.
-
Do I need to move out during a rewire?
Most homeowners stay in the property throughout, though certain rooms will be without power while work is in progress and it is genuinely disruptive. We agree a room-by-room schedule with you in advance so you can plan around it.
-
Does a rewire include a new consumer unit?
Almost always, yes. It rarely makes sense to rewire a property and leave an outdated fuse board in place. If your consumer unit was replaced recently and meets current standards, this can sometimes be excluded from the quote.
-
Will a rewire increase my home’s value?
It won’t show up as a like-for-like value increase in the way an extension might, but it removes a common red flag for buyers and mortgage surveyors, particularly on older properties, and can smooth a future sale.
Ready to Get Your Free Rewiring Quote?
Call us on 07736 736233 or fill in our contact form for a free, no-obligation site visit. We cover Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Bushey, Rickmansworth, and throughout Hertfordshire, and will give you an honest, fixed-price quote for your rewire.
