Costs of rewiring a house

Posted by: Fraser Hadden on 19 February 2006

My mother has just found out (not the hard way!) that she has to have her house rewired.

Neither she nor I has any idea what would be a reasonable figure for this. The house is of 1890s construction, has 5 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms and a cellar. The total living area across the two floors is about 3000 sq. ft.

Assuming that a full overhaul is required, can anyone hazard a reasonable figure? She will, of course, obtain 3 estimates etc., but it would be handy to have a yardstick by which to measure the estimates.

Thanks for any help.

Fraser

Posted on: 19 February 2006 by niceguy235uk

If its a like for like rewire - as in no extra lights or sockets anywhere then at a guess you will be looking at around 2500 - 3000.

It also depends a little bit on the quality of sockets and switches etc you would prefer.

Posted on: 20 February 2006 by i am simon 2

Fraser

I would say a similar figure to niceguy, maybe a fraction higher, 3000 sq ft is a large house.

The rewiring itself is not so difficult and £3K-£4K sounds about right, I guess the cost will hinge on the amount of redecoration that is required afterwards, often cables will be chased into the plaster, rather than being in conduits or trunking that can just have new cables pulled through them to plug points, light sockets etc and therefore when they are replaced, the plaster has to made good and re painted.
Definitely worth considering a splash of paint for the entire house at the same time if budget permits as this will take some of the sting out of hacking into all your walls.

Simon

Posted on: 20 February 2006 by Steve Bull

Can't help on prices, my re-wiring figures are very out of date. But when you have the guys round to quote, make sure you're clear just how well they'll make good the walls after chasing-in. In my experience, electricians make lousy plasterers and there may be further finishing to do after they've left. You'll also find that the job (and therefore the price) will be much more attractive to your contractor if the rooms can be as empty as possible when the job is done.

Steve.

Posted on: 20 February 2006 by Steve Bull

Oh, and give some thought to whether she wants any extra sockets, light fittings, external lighting - obviously it will add to the cost but cheaper to get it all done at once than have someone in later.

I assume she won't be wanting a dedicated hi-fi spur?

Steve.

Posted on: 20 February 2006 by niceguy235uk

quote:
Originally posted by Steve Bull:
Can't help on prices, my re-wiring figures are very out of date. But when you have the guys round to quote, make sure you're clear just how well they'll make good the walls after chasing-in. In my experience, electricians make lousy plasterers and there may be further finishing to do after they've left. You'll also find that the job (and therefore the price) will be much more attractive to your contractor if the rooms can be as empty as possible when the job is done.

Steve.

Yes i am bloody awful at plastering and not much better at painting either

Joking aaside, the price WILL reflect on how much furniture etc there is. nd a good point to think about extras before the sparks pays a visit.

Posted on: 20 February 2006 by Fraser Hadden

Thanks for the responses.

I had in mind a figure around £3000 - but, again, this is the sort of figure I arrive at reflexly for any works greater than wiring a plug but less than re-roofing or under-pinning a house!

I hadn't fully considered the re-decoration element which, given that the ancient walls are all covered in (?held together by?) lining paper which would need replacement, could easily come to more than the wiring job.

Thanks again for your contributions.

Fraser