2026 Pricing Guide
Electrical Costs UK 2026
Full rewires, consumer units and electrical works — see real UK electrician prices and get an instant estimate.
Electrical work in the UK ranges from a £150 socket addition to a £8,500 full rewire of a large property. In 2026, a full house rewire costs £2,500–£8,500 depending on property size, a new consumer unit (fuse board) costs £400–£700, and all work must comply with Part P Building Regulations. Always use a Part P competent person or notify building control — unverified electrical work is unsafe and can't be sold with the property.
Electrical Prices
How Much Does Each Electrical Option Cost?
Prices below are indicative 2026 UK market rates and include labour and materials. Use our calculator for a personalised estimate.
Full House Rewire (1–2 bed)
£2,500 – £3,500
Complete rewire including sockets, lighting, consumer unit. Usually 5–7 days.
Full House Rewire (3–4 bed)
£3,500 – £5,500
Larger property, more circuits. 7–12 days. Often done alongside other refurb work.
Full House Rewire (5+ bed)
£5,500 – £8,500
Large home, multiple circuits, three-phase considerations. 12–18 days.
New Consumer Unit (fuse board)
£400 – £700
Replace old fuse box with a modern unit including RCDs and surge protection. Half-day.
Additional Sockets / Circuit
£150 – £600
Add a single socket or a new circuit (e.g. electric shower, cooker). Half-day to a day.
EICR (Electrical Safety Test)
£150 – £350
Landlord-required safety inspection. Includes a full report and minor repairs.
* All prices are estimates. A site survey is required for an accurate quote. Use our calculator for a personalised estimate.
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The Electrical Process Step by Step
Survey & Quote
Electrician assesses the property, existing wiring, your needs (sockets, lighting, EV charging) and provides a fixed quote.
First Fix
Lift floorboards, chase walls, run new cables to all socket, switch and light positions. Install back boxes.
Consumer Unit
Fit the new consumer unit, connect all circuits, add RCDs and surge protection, label every circuit.
Second Fix
Fit sockets, switches, light fittings and connect. Test every circuit for continuity, insulation resistance and polarity.
Certification
Issue Electrical Installation Certificate, notify building control if required, register the work.
Common Mistakes
4 Mistakes to Avoid
Using an Uncertified Electrician
Electrical work must be certified under Part P. Without a certificate you can't sell the house and insurers may refuse claims. Always use a registered (NICEIC, NAPIT or ECA) electrician.
Rewiring Without Decorating Budget
Rewires involve chasing walls and lifting floors, leaving a mess. Budget £1,000–£3,000 for making good, plastering and redecoration after a full rewire.
Undersizing the Consumer Unit
A cheap 6-way board won't support a future EV charger, solar or heat pump. Fit a 14–18 way unit with spare capacity and surge protection.
Ignoring Outdated Wiring
If your wiring is 30+ years old, has rubber insulation, or your fuses keep blowing, don't delay. Degraded wiring is a leading cause of house fires. An EICR will tell you what needs replacing.
FAQs
Electrical Cost FAQs
How much does a full house rewire cost in the UK in 2026?
A full house rewire costs £2,500–£8,500 in 2026. A 1–2 bed costs £2,500–£3,500, a 3–4 bed costs £3,500–£5,500, and a 5+ bed costs £5,500–£8,500. Prices include a new consumer unit, sockets, lighting and certification.
How long does a house rewire take?
A 1–2 bed rewire takes 5–7 days, a 3–4 bed takes 7–12 days, and a large 5+ bed takes 12–18 days. Rewires are best done in an empty property or alongside a full renovation, as they involve chasing walls and lifting floorboards.
Does a rewire need building regulations?
Yes. All electrical work in the UK must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. A competent person (registered electrician) self-certifies and issues an Electrical Installation Certificate. You'll need this certificate to sell the property.
How much does a new consumer unit cost?
A new consumer unit (fuse board) costs £400–£700 supplied and fitted in 2026. It includes RCD protection, surge protection and certification. It's required if your old board has rewireable fuses or no RCD protection.
Do I need an EICR?
Landlords must have a valid Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years for rental properties. Homeowners should get one every 10 years or before selling. An EICR costs £150–£350.
Can I rewire my own house?
You can do electrical work yourself, but it must be tested and certified by a competent person and notified to building control. For safety and resale, most homeowners use a registered electrician who self-certifies the work under Part P.
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