Rewire Cost in London 2026: What Affects the Price

What a full rewire costs in London depends on the size of the property, the number of circuits, the age and construction of the building, how easy it is to get cables through, and whether you are living there while the work is done. Compare verified local electricians free on Energy North and get quotes direct, with no fees and no commission.

Rewiring is one of the bigger jobs a London homeowner will ever take on, so it pays to understand what drives the price before you start collecting quotes. Below is a clear 2026 guide to what goes into the cost, how long the work takes, the rules you need to be aware of, and how to find a trustworthy electrician near you.

How property size changes a London rewire (2026)

Prices in London run higher than the national average because labour rates and operating costs are higher in London and the South East. Within London, the size of the home is the first thing that sets the scale of the job:

One-bedroom flat: the fewest circuits and the least cable. With easy access the electrical work is often done in 4 to 6 days.
Two-bedroom house or flat: more rooms, so more sockets, lighting points and cable runs.
Three-bedroom house: the typical London rewire, usually 5 to 7 working days of electrical work.
Four-bedroom house: more circuits again. A large detached period property can take 12 to 14 days.

A rewire quote usually covers labour, materials, a new consumer unit (fuse board), certification, and the Building Control notification. Always confirm exactly what is and is not included when you compare quotes.

What affects the price?

Several factors push a rewire up or down:

Property size and number of circuits: more rooms means more cabling, sockets, and final circuits.
Age and construction: older period homes with solid walls, lath-and-plaster, or decorative features take longer and cost more.
Occupied vs empty: an empty property is quicker and cheaper to work in than one full of furniture and people.
Ease of access: suspended timber floors and accessible lofts make cable runs faster. Concrete floors and finished plaster do the opposite.
Making good: plastering and redecorating after the cables go in are part of the overall project, so check whether a quote includes them or leaves them to you.
Extras: adding extra sockets, smart controls, outdoor power, or an EV charger at the same time will add to the total but is often cheaper to do in one visit.

How to compare rewire quotes

Get two or three written quotes after each electrician has seen the property. Check that they cover the same scope. A fair rewire quote should set out:

The number of circuits, sockets and lighting points.
The new consumer unit and what protection it includes.
Whether making good and plastering are included or left to you.
How long the electrical work will take, and how first fix and second fix are planned.
The Electrical Installation Certificate and the Building Control notification.

Be wary of a price given over the phone without a visit, a quote with no breakdown of circuits or points, or an electrician who cannot say how the work will be certified. A low quote that leaves out the consumer unit, the certificate or making good is not comparing like with like.

How long does a rewire take?

For an average London three-bedroom house, the hands-on electrical work typically takes 5 to 7 working days. Flats with easy access often finish in 4 to 6 days, while a detached period property can take 12 to 14 days. Remember that fresh plaster needs time to dry, so the overall project (first fix, plastering, second fix, and making good) usually spans a few weeks of elapsed time even though the wiring itself is faster.

The rules: Part P and certification

Rewiring is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations and must comply with BS 7671 (the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations). That means the job must either be carried out by an electrician registered with a government-approved competent person scheme who can self-certify the work, or be notified to your local authority Building Control before it starts. On completion you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), and the work is registered with Building Control. Keep this paperwork safe. You will need it when you sell or let the property, and landlords are legally required to hold a valid electrical safety report.

How to find a reliable London electrician

The simplest way to get a fair price is to compare several local electricians at once. On Energy North, posting a rewiring job is free. There are no subscriptions and no commission. Verified local tradespeople reply to you direct, so you stay in control of who you talk to.

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Frequently asked questions

1. How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bedroom house in London? It depends on the number of circuits, the age and construction of the house, how easy it is to get cables through floors and walls, and whether the home is occupied during the work. A written quote after a visit is the only reliable figure. Compare two or three that cover the same scope.

2. Why is rewiring more expensive in London? London and the South East carry a premium over the UK average, driven by higher labour rates and operating costs. The same job usually costs more in the capital than elsewhere.

3. How long does a full house rewire take? The electrical work usually takes 5 to 7 working days for a three-bedroom home, 4 to 6 days for an easy-access flat, and 12 to 14 days for a large period property. Because plaster must dry, the full project often spans a few weeks.

4. Do I need certification after a rewire? Yes. A rewire is notifiable under Part P and must meet BS 7671. You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), and the work must be registered with Building Control. Keep the documents for selling or letting the property.

5. How do I find a trustworthy electrician near me? Post your job free on Energy North and verified local electricians will reply to you direct. No subscriptions, no commission, and you choose who to hire.

Related guides

We do not publish prices because they change and every property and specification is different. Always get written quotes. Energy North is a free UK trades marketplace: homeowners post jobs free, verified local tradespeople reply direct, with no subscriptions and 0% commission.

More Energy North guides

In North London, Energy North Ltd rewires and issues the certificate directly, with a free quote on request: see the electrician services or book online.

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