How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House in Scotland?

Are you interested in rewiring your home and want to learn more about the costs involved?

This guide outlines the average cost to rewire a house, the different property types and the factors that may affect the price, such as the age and size of your property.

What is a house rewire?

Old or faulty wiring can be dangerous, causing fires and injuries. In the UK alone, approximately 12,500 fires and 2,000 shock accidents are caused annually by faulty electrics.

House rewiring is a comprehensive task that involves removing and replacing old wiring and electrical components, often undertaken during home renovations when walls are exposed.

A complete rewiring of your existing wiring system is a great opportunity to relocate your lights, sockets and switches or even install new features such as outdoor lighting, kitchen appliances or a car charging point.

Does my home need to be rewired?

It’s often the case that older homes have never been rewired. Warning signs that your home needs rewiring include:

Sockets on your skirting boards
Regularly blown fuses
Signs of overheating at plug sockets, such as discolouration or a burning smell
Fewer sockets than normal
Flickering lights
The fuse box keeps tripping
Exposed wires
Electrical shocks
Faulty connections
Issues with modern electrical appliances

Old electrical wiring is commonly found in tenement flats.

How long does it take to rewire a house?

The time it takes to rewire a house depends on its size, the number of rooms, the age of the property and new electrical devices or fixtures being installed.

A two-bedroom house typically takes up to four days to complete.
A three-bedroom house typically takes up to five days to complete.
A four-bedroom house typically takes up to five days to complete.

How much does it cost to rewire a house?

Rewiring a house is a significant project, and the cost to rewire your house can vary based on various factors. Here are some guides:

1-bedroom house: between £1,500 and £3,500 (2-3 days)
2-bedroom house: between £3,500 and £4,200 (3-4 days)
3-bedroom house: between £3,500 and £6000 (3-5 days)
4-bedroom house: between £5,000 – £7,000 (4-5 days)
5-bedroom house: between £5,000 – £10,000 (5-6 days)
6-bedroom house: between £5,500 and £10000. (6-7 days)

These are just average costs, and the actual cost for your project may vary. Always consult with a professional electrician for an accurate quote.

Rewiring costs may vary depending on factors such as the size and type of property, age of the home, complexity of the system, quality of the current wiring, and building regulations.

How much does it cost to rewire a flat?

Rewiring a flat is not significantly cheaper than rewiring a house as both properties have common rooms like bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen.

On average, it costs between £3,500 and £4,200 to rewire a 2-bedroom flat.

How much does it cost to rewire a bungalow?

Rewiring a bungalow costs about the same as house rewiring prices:

1-bedroom bungalow: between £2000 and £3,500 (2-3 days)
2-bedroom bungalow: between £2500 and £3500 (3-4 days)
3-bedroom bungalow: between £2,800 and £4,800 (3-4 days)
4-bedroom bungalow: between £4,200 – £6,800 (4-5 days)
5-bedroom bungalow: between £4800 – £6,800 (5-6 days)
6-bedroom bungalow: between £5,500 and £10,000. (6-7 days)

How much does it cost to rewire a kitchen?

If your kitchen is old or you’re installing a new kitchen, you might want to upgrade the existing kitchen wiring.

On average, rewiring a kitchen costs between £1,200 and £2,000.

The cost of rewiring a kitchen can vary depending on factors such as the number of appliances and plug sockets.

How much does it cost to rewire a bathroom?

Rewiring a bathroom is often a good idea when installing a new bathroom.

The average cost to rewire a bathroom is between £1,000 and £1,500 and may vary based on additional features such as plug sockets, lights, extractor fans and other appliances.

How much does it cost to rewire a garage?

The average cost of rewiring a garage is between £500 and £1,000. The price depends on the size of your garage, the lighting and the amount of internal and external sockets.

Factors that affect rewiring costs

When you rewire your house, you may have to pay more than just the cost of new wiring and electrical parts.

Several key factors can affect the overall cost of a house rewiring:

Size of the property

When it comes to rewiring a property, larger homes require more materials, such as wiring, lights, sockets and power points. Additional labour is also needed.

The layout of a building

Multiple floors or non-standard designs will require more wiring and additional work.

Age or condition of your home

The age and condition of your property can affect the cost of rewiring. If your property is old and the quality of the existing wiring is poor, this can require more work and increase the price.

Likewise, if your wiring or consumer unit is difficult to access, the cost of rewiring will be higher due to the difficulty of the job.

Whether you are living in the house

Electricians can work faster and safer when your house is empty. It is best to schedule electrical work when the property is vacant.

New fittings and features

A full rewire is an excellent opportunity to relocate lights, sockets, and switches or add new features, like kitchen appliances and lighting. However, the time taken to complete the rewire will depend on the number of features you want to add.

Property location

Geographical location impacts rewiring costs due to the difference in labour fees and materials across the UK.

Waste disposal

Rewiring a house can result in a significant amount of waste, so disposal costs should be considered when budgeting for a rewiring project.

The rewiring process

The rewiring process involves various stages:

Planning lighting, switches, and outlets for each room
Removing old wiring
Installing new wiring
Adding external components such as switches and sockets
Installation of a new consumer unit
Plastering work
Safety certification

Registered electrician installing new electrical components as part of the rewiring process.

1. Set a budget and get quotes

Rewiring a house can be costly and cannot be done in stages, so hiring fully qualified electricians who can provide you with an accurate cost is crucial.

Get multiple quotes to ensure a fair price for your rewire. Be sure to include any new fittings and features you want to add, such as lights and plug sockets, so that the electrician can plan cable routes.

Upgrading things like light fittings are not particularly expensive, while more complex installations like electric car charging points and air source heat pumps can significantly increase costs.

Rewiring also gives you the opportunity to add smart home technology, such as CCTV cameras and automated systems.

Choosing a licensed electrician is crucial to ensure a home’s electrical system complies with safety standards and codes.

Get a quote

If you’re looking for a qualified electrician, we carry out home rewires in Glasgow and throughout Scotland, and we would be happy to supply you with a fair quote.

Our rewiring services include plaster repairs and decoration.

Affordable rewiring
Fully qualified electricians
Fast completion times
Fast turnaround

Get a quote

2. Existing wiring inspection

Before an electrician can rewire a house, they must review your existing electrical system for safety and compliance through visual examination and testing.

This involves checking for visible hazards like damaged wiring or loose connections and inspecting the fuse board.

Before starting a full rewire project, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is carried out by an NICEIC-approved contractor to review the current wiring.

An EICR is designed to identify potential hazards and defects in electrics which could pose a safety risk to the property and its occupants, including fire hazards.

This report assists in determining if the wiring is safe and up-to-date, potentially avoiding the expense of a full rewiring.

3. Installation and upgrades

Our electricians will replace old wires with new ones, running them through hidden spaces like floorboards and attics.

New wires may need to be installed into your walls or floorboards if you’re installing new fittings. This can result in damage to plasterwork, which must be repaired to ensure no wires are visible. Carpets and floorboards will need to be lifted.

All these new wires are then connected to a safe new consumer unit (fuse box) that constantly checks for any problems with the electricity.

Once the rewiring work is completed, the electrician will install new electrical components such as sockets, light fittings, switches, and anything else specified.

4. Safety certification

After rewiring is complete, an electrical safety certificate must be provided to confirm compliance with building regulations.

How to save money on a house rewire

There are a few ways you can reduce the cost of an electrical rewire:

Be clear with the electrician about your budget so they understand what you can afford and ensure they can provide you with the best option.
Get multiple written quotes with a fixed pricing structure to avoid additional costs.
Prepare your home before the electricians arrive by moving furniture and lifting carpets.
Scheduling a rewiring job during other home renovations can help reduce your overall labour costs and minimise additional disruption.

Flickering lights may indicate faulty wiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rewire a 2-bedroom house?

Rewiring a 2-bedroom house can cost between £2,000 and £3,000, but prices can vary based on other factors like property size and complexity.

How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bedroom house?

It can cost anywhere from £3,500 to £5,000 to rewire a 3-bed house in the UK.

What is house rewiring, and why is it necessary?

House rewiring is necessary to replace faulty or outdated wiring and prevent hazards like electrical fires or shocks.

Can you live in a house while it’s being rewired?

When your house is being rewired, it’s best to find temporary accommodation. The work is disruptive and can cause damage to the property, temporarily creating an uncomfortable living environment.

Does rewiring a house add value?

Yes, rewiring a house can add value by improving the functionality and safety of the property, making it more appealing to potential buyers.

Do you need planning permission to rewire a house?

No planning permission is required for rewiring a house unless it’s a listed building. If you live in a listed building, check with your local authority for building regulations before rewiring.

What are the long-term benefits of rewiring a house?

Rewiring your home can improve safety, save energy costs, increase home value and make it future-proof.

Can I rewire a house myself?

DIY rewiring is dangerous and can lead to injury or death. It can also result in fines, legal issues and failed inspections. It could require costly repairs or even a complete home rewiring before it can be sold.

Always hire a fully qualified electrician. It’s a safer choice and proves to be more cost-effective over time.

Find out how much it will cost to rewire your home

If you made it to the end of this post, you should better understand how much it costs to rewire a house.

If you want to rewire your house, contact us today, and one of our reliable and helpful electricians will call you back.

We are experts in rewiring houses in Glasgow with over 20 years of experience. Our NICEIC-approved contractors can complete the job quickly with minimal disruption.

In addition to electrical rewiring, our electricians provide a range of electrical services: