Rewiring your home - What you need to know

Your home's electrical wiring doesn't last forever. Over time, it can wear out or become outdated compared to modern safety standards.

Perhaps more importantly, faulty electrics can put your home at risk of fire and even electrocution. To keep these risks to a minimum, it is important that any new electrics fitted in your home comply with the latest building regulations.

If you are planning any large home improvements like an attic conversion or extension, you will likely need new electrics. There’s also a chance that the remainder of your home electrics will need to be replaced.

On the other hand, if you are planning a smaller home improvement project, such as a new kitchen with repositioned lights and sockets, you could benefit from having the whole room rewired. And any changes to your electrics could affect the power-load on your fuse box, so be sure to have this checked and updated as well.

How often does a house need rewiring?

Most homes need their wiring checked or updated every 20-25 years. This timing isn't just about age - it's also about safety. Older homes might have wiring that wasn't designed to handle all the electronics and appliances we use today.

How do you know if your house needs rewiring?

Signs that your home might need rewiring include:

• Lights that flicker or dim when you use appliances
• Circuit breakers that trip often
• Buzzing sounds from outlets
• Burning smells near electrical points
• Discoloured outlets or switches
• Outdated wiring types (like fabric-covered wires)

If your home is showing any of these signs, it's time to call an electrician for a check-up - even if your house isn't very old.

How much does rewiring a house cost?

The cost of rewiring your home depends on the size of the property and the complexity of the work carried out. A one-bedroom flat averages around £3,900, whilst a 5-bedroom house could set you back £10,000.

Any special preferences, like under-floor heating or air conditioning, will add more to your bill.

It is always advisable to hire a registered electrician to do any electrical installation work in your home.

Finding a professional and reliable electrician is easier than ever now, with many ratings and reviews posted online. Search on the Registered Competent Person website for an electrician so you have the peace of mind they’re qualified and authorised to carry out the work.

Look specifically for electricians registered with recognised schemes such as NICEIC, ELECSA, or NAPIT to ensure they can self-certify their work.

It is a good idea to get three quotes for the work you have planned to find the most competitive price and reliable tradesperson.

💡 Tip: If you are in the process of buying a property and it is over 25 years old, be sure to have the electrics professionally checked before you proceed. It is sensible to get an estimate of any work that needs to be done so you can balance this against the offer you make. 

Can you get a government grant to rewire a house?

There are no longer any specific rewiring grants available through the government. However, there are some other home improvement schemes which could be of use. Using them may save you money which could then be put towards your rewiring project. They include:

1. Warm Homes: Local Grant: This aims to provide free energy saving improvements for your home. Upgrades include insulation, heat pumps, smart controls and solar panels. Eligibility is dependent on whether you’re on a low income, receiving certain benefits, and your postal code.
   
   
2. Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS): GBIS provides free or subsidised insulation to improve energy efficiency. Eligibility for GBIS includes owning your home and meeting certain criteria regarding council tax band and EPC rating.
   
   
3. Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Grant: This grant is aimed at improving energy efficiency in homes – generally through upgrades to your home’s insulation. It works best for older houses and is managed by Ofgem. Eligibility is based on your residential status, your homes EPC rating, and whether you claim certain benefits.

These programs focus on making homes safer and more energy-efficient for people who don't have much money or who receive certain benefits. Local councils sometimes offer their own home improvement grants too.

How disruptive is rewiring a house?

Rewiring a house can create significant disruption in your daily life.

Electricians will need to access walls, ceilings, and floors throughout your home to remove old wiring and install new electrical systems. They cut holes in plasterboard, lift floorboards, and sometimes remove fixtures to reach hidden wiring paths.

The process typically takes between 5-10 days for an average home, depending on size and complexity. During this time, you'll experience periods without power, increased dust and noise, and limited access to certain rooms.

For this reason, many homeowners choose to stay elsewhere during major rewiring projects.

A quick checklist - What affects the cost of rewiring?

• The size of your home will determine the overall cost, so the more rooms in need of electrical work, the greater the cost of the labour and materials.
• If you will be staying in your home while the work takes place, keep in mind that it may take the electricians longer to finish the work – and it will be pretty disruptive. As a result, you may end up paying more as many electricians charge by the day – although you’ll have to weigh this up against the cost of alternative accommodation if that’s your only other option.
• Be selective with the number of fittings you get. Simply put, more fittings means higher costs. Try to balance this out by selecting more affordable fittings, like plastic ones instead of stainless steel.
• Labour costs for electricians vary from one part of the country to another, so search online to find out the going rates in your area and check these figures against any quotes you receive.
• Don’t forget to calculate the added cost of any redecoration, such as painting and plasterwork, once your rewiring is complete. Removing old wires can mean taking up skirting boards and floorboards, and new electrics have to be buried in the walls and covered up with fresh plaster work - so it can be quite a big job to get things looking normal again. 

DIY rewiring

If you're thinking about doing the wiring yourself, you need to know that you must apply for building regulations permission. This costs around £160, but the good news - this fee includes:

• A visit from a professional electrician who will check your work at the start
• Another visit when you’re finished
• A safety certificate if your work passes inspection

Getting this safety certificate is really important. Without it, you can't be sure your home is safe.

However, we strongly recommend hiring a professional electrician instead. Wiring is tricky and dangerous when not done correctly. Fixing mistakes can cost much more than hiring a professional in the first place.

If you can't afford to rewire your home right now, there might be other ways to pay for it, like home improvement loans or payment plans.