A full house rewire in the North East typically costs somewhere between £3,500 and £8,000+, depending on property size, age, access conditions, and the specification of materials. For a standard three-bedroom semi-detached house — probably the most common job we quote across Tyne and Wear, County Durham, and Northumberland — most homeowners should budget in the region of £4,000 to £5,500 in 2025. Those figures aren't guarantees; they're honest working ranges based on what we actually quote and invoice.
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Here's a rough breakdown by property type. These are ballpark figures — every house is different, and a proper quote requires a site visit.
| Property Type | Typical Range (2025) |
|---|---|
| 1–2 bed flat or terraced house | £3,500 – £4,500 |
| 3 bed semi-detached | £4,000 – £5,500 |
| 3–4 bed detached | £5,000 – £7,000 |
| 4–5 bed detached or older property | £6,500 – £9,000+ |
Prices across the North East tend to sit below those in London and the South East, but that gap has narrowed over the last few years as materials costs have risen across the board.
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A full rewire means stripping out all the existing fixed wiring and replacing it from scratch — new cables throughout, new socket and switch faceplates, new light fittings (unless you're supplying your own), new consumer unit, and all new circuit protection.
Typically included:
Typically not included:
Be clear with any contractor about exactly what's in their quote before you sign anything.
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Several things move the price up or down significantly:
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| Property | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| 2-bed flat or terraced | 3–4 days |
| 3-bed semi | 5–7 days |
| 4-bed detached | 7–10 days |
| Larger or older properties | 10–14+ days |
These figures assume a team of two — typically a qualified electrician and an approved electrician or apprentice. Solo working takes longer. On complex jobs in Northumberland or County Durham involving older stone-built properties, I've seen straightforward-looking rewires extend well beyond initial estimates once the walls are open.
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You won't find a reputable electrician completing a full rewire and leaving the old consumer unit in place. It just isn't done, and it wouldn't comply with BS 7671 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (Amendment 2, 2022).
Every new consumer unit we install provides full RCD protection for all circuits. For domestic work, that typically means a dual RCD board as a minimum, though many installations now use consumer units with individual RCBOs (combined MCB and RCD) per circuit — more expensive upfront, but better protection and far less inconvenience if one device trips.
Amendment 2 of the 18th Edition, which came into force in 2022, also introduced requirements around AFDD (Arc Fault Detection Devices) for certain locations. On new installations in higher-risk areas — including some bedroom circuits — AFDDs are now required. This adds some cost but provides meaningful protection against arc faults that can cause fires without tripping a standard MCB. We'll advise you on what's required and what's recommended for your specific installation.
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We don't quote over the phone and I'd be sceptical of anyone who does for a job this size. Our process:
1. Free site visit — usually 30–45 minutes, long enough to count circuits, check access, look at the existing installation, and understand what you want
2. Written quote within a few days — itemised, so you can see what you're paying for
3. No obligation — we're happy to quote even if you're getting three quotes, as you should be
We work across Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland, and Teesside. Being local means we're accountable — we're not a national firm subcontracting to whoever's available.
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If you're buying an older property in County Durham or Northumberland — particularly pre-1970s stone-built terraces — an EICR before exchange is money well spent.
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Once the rewire is complete, we issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) under BS 7671. This isn't optional paperwork — it's a legal requirement for new installations under Part P Building Regulations. It records the designer, installer, and inspector of the work, and it details every circuit and test result.
As an NICEIC-registered contractor, we self-certify under Part P, which means we notify Building Control directly — you don't need to do that yourself. You'll receive your certificate and it should be kept with your property documents. If you sell the house, solicitors will often ask for it.
For landlords in Tyne and Wear or Teesside, note that a rewire will require a fresh EICR to confirm the installation complies — your new EIC and EICR together give you the documentation you need.
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How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bedroom house in the North East?
Most 3-bed semi-detached houses in the North East come in between £4,000 and £5,500 in 2025. Detached houses or those with more complex layouts typically sit higher. Get a site visit and written quote — anything less specific than that isn't reliable.
How long does a full house rewire take?
A 3-bed semi with a two-person team usually takes 5–7 working days. Larger properties, difficult access, or older construction can push this to 10 days or more.
Do I need to move out during a rewire?
You don't have to, but it's genuinely disruptive — no power to sections of the house for periods, dust from chasing, floors lifted. Many homeowners do move out or stay elsewhere for the duration, especially if you have young children. If you stay, we work around you as best we can.
Will I need a new consumer unit as part of the rewire?
Yes, always. An existing consumer unit can't stay if all the circuits are being replaced. The new unit will comply with current BS 7671 requirements including full RCD or RCBO protection.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Old fuse boxes without RCDs, round-pin sockets, rubber or fabric-insulated cable, persistent electrical faults, or an EICR with serious observations are all strong indicators. If you're uncertain, book an EICR — it'll tell you exactly where you stand.
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If you're in Tyne and Wear, County Durham, Northumberland, or Teesside and want an honest assessment of what your property needs and what it'll cost, get in touch with us at [Energy North Ltd](https://energynorth.uk). We'll come out, have a proper look, and give you a straight answer — no pressure, no inflated quotes to negotiate down from.