House Rewire Cost in Edinburgh | Electrical Rewiring Prices 2026

A house rewire involves removing all or part of the existing electrical wiring, sockets, switches and fuse box and replacing them with new components. The new installation must meet modern safety standards. Rewiring is a common practice in older properties which have frayed cabling, outdated fuse boards or non-compliant wiring.

Edinburgh has a lot of period properties, tenement flats and post-war bungalows, many of which need rewiring to make them safe and compliant with current electrical regulations. Renovation projects frequently involve the partial or complete rewire of a property.

The cost of rewiring a house in Edinburgh will vary depending on factors such as the size of the property, its age, accessibility and the level of upgrade required. MyJobQuote lets you assess the cost of a rewire by contacting local electricians in Edinburgh.

Average Cost of a House Rewire in Edinburgh

On average, rewiring a house in Edinburgh costs between £3,500 and £9,000. This varies according to the size of the property. For example, a 2-bedroom flat costs from around £3,500 to £5,800 while a 4-bedroom detached house costs from £6,000 to £9,500.

A full house wire in Edinburgh for a 3-bedroom semi-detached home costs between £4,500 and £7,500. Rewiring a smaller 2-bedroom terraced house will cost approximately £3,500 to £5,500.

Prices for a house rewire will depend on local labour rates as well as the layout of the property. The costs for electricians often vary depending on the area you live in and are affected by your choice to use either a sole trader or a large electrical company.

Large homes and older properties are more challenging for electricians as they frequently encounter issues such as stone walls, dense plaster or access problems.

Not every home will need a full rewire. Partial rewiring, such as replacing a specific circuit, has different costs depending on the type of job and ranges from approximately £500 to £2,000. If a whole storey of a property needs rewiring, this can cost from £1,000 to more than £3,000. Getting at least three quotes will help you budget and get an idea of how much a rewire costs.

A house rewire typically includes the installation of new wiring throughout the property, replacement of sockets, switches, and the consumer unit, and ensuring the system meets current safety standards.

If you are wondering 'how much does it cost' to rewire your home, it is important to get quotes from professionals to understand the specific costs for your property.

Factors Affecting the Cost

Several factors affect how much a house rewire costs in Edinburgh. The complexity of the rewiring job, and whether you require a full rewire project or just a partial rewire, will significantly affect the final price.

Below is a list of the elements that are likely to impact how much you pay:

Property Size

The size of the house or flat, including the number of rooms, directly influences the cost of a house rewire in Edinburgh. A large 4-bedroom house costs more than a 2-bedroom flat due to the obvious difference in size and amount of wiring.

Age of the Property

Older properties are most likely to have outdated wiring, but many of these homes have stone walls or crumbling plaster.

Old wiring can pose significant safety risks, such as electrical fires or shocks, making it crucial to assess the home's wiring before starting a rewire. These issues and others associated with aged houses can increase the cost of a rewire.

Occupied vs Empty Home

Completing a house rewire in an occupied property is more complex than in an empty home. With the need to consider the occupants in terms of noise, dust and safety, electricians charge more to rewire occupied properties.

Accessibility Issues

Edinburgh has a lot of older properties, such as tenement flats, listed buildings, and stone-walled homes. This makes rewiring more labour-intensive and will therefore affect the cost.

Level of Finish Required

A house rewire cost in Edinburgh will reflect the level of equipment to be fitted. Standard wiring, sockets and switches cost less than specialised circuits or wiring for an EV charger.

The installation or replacement of light fittings and light fixtures is also typically included in a rewire, as these components are updated alongside sockets and switches to ensure both functionality and improved aesthetics.

Consumer Unit Upgrades

Older homes often need a consumer unit (fusebox) upgrade as they no longer meet compliance standards. This can add several hundred pounds to Edinburgh house rewiring prices.

Additional Electrical Work

Any additional electrical work beyond the rewire will increase the amount that you pay, including smoke alarms, outdoor lighting or CCTV.

Full vs Partial House Rewire Costs

Sometimes a full rewire is not needed, and if this is the case, the cost will be lower. To help you decide, it’s helpful to know the difference between a partial and a full rewire.

Full rewires involve the replacement of all the electrical wiring, sockets, switches and the consumer unit. A partial rewire is when a specific room, circuit or area of a property needs to be replaced.

If there is only one room or area where the wiring is outdated, this is often suitable for a partial rewire. In most cases, however, where the property is old and the wiring dated, a full rewire is recommended for safety and compliance.

Costs range from around £500 to £3,000 for partial rewiring, while the full house rewire cost in Edinburgh goes from approximately £3,500 to £9,500, depending on property size and other factors.

Additional Costs to Consider

There are several additional costs to consider when undertaking a house rewire. These include:

• New switches and sockets
• Consumer unit upgrade
• Smart home features, e.g., heating, lighting, security, etc
• Electrical certificates, e.g., Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), Part P
• Remedial works following rewiring, including plastering and decorating
• Parking permits for tradesmen where needed

The exact nature of the work, whether a full or partial rewire, can often throw up other costs. Older homes in particular may have asbestos present. This is a hazardous material and needs specialist removal and disposal, adding to the overall price.

Upgrading your wiring and ensuring compliance with current electrical safety standards can also positively impact your property's market value, making it more attractive to buyers or tenants.

Electrical Safety & Building Regulations - A Must For Your Edinburgh Home

Electrical safety is at the very heart of any house rewire, and that's especially the case when you've got a mix of old and new properties as you do in Edinburgh. The actual rewiring process is all about ripping out old wiring, outdated sockets and switches, and the consumer unit, to put simply, get rid of any electrical systems that could cause harm.

Flickering lights, damaged wiring and the risk of electrical fires are just a few reasons why you really should sort out any dodgy wiring before it becomes a serious hazard.

To make sure you get a top-notch rewiring job that won't put you or your family at risk, it's crucial to hire a fully qualified electrician who is part of a government-backed scheme like NICEIC.

An electrician will start off by doing an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which is like a full health check for your wiring. This thorough assessment will tell you whether you need a major rewire or just a tidy-up to bring your home up to scratch with modern safety standards.

The UK is pretty strict when it comes to building regulations; they demand that any electrical work, including a full or partial rewire, be done by someone with the right qualifications.

It may sound obvious, but only a licensed electrician can do the job, and even then, they can't certify it unless they've done the work themselves. If you don't comply with these regulations, you could be looking at fines, legal headaches, and even invalidating your home insurance.

If you notice any red flags that your home needs a rewire, like:

• Flickering lights
• Frequently tripping circuit breakers
• Hot or discoloured sockets
• The smell of burning

- then get a local electrician in sharpish to take a look and advise on the best course of action.

Rewiring isn't just about safety, though. It's also a great way to bring your home into the 21st century, boosting energy efficiency and supporting the modern tech we use. Upgrading to LED lights, installing smart home tech or even just adding more sockets for your gadgets can all be part of the deal.

The price of rewiring a house is going to depend on a few key factors, mainly the size of the property, the state of the existing wiring, what the electrician charges and what kind of gear you're using. A full rewire in Edinburgh will set you back anything from £3,000 to £9,000, and the final bill is usually influenced by just how tricky the job is and any bells and whistles you might want to include.

The bottom line is, electrical safety and building regulations matter, and it's always best to leave it all in the hands of a fully qualified, licensed electrician. If you're not sure about the state of your wiring, get an EICR and act on any recommendations to keep your home safe and sound.

How Long Does a House Rewire Take?

The length of time required to rewire a property depends heavily on its size and age, as well as accessibility and the complexity of the work.

A full house rewire in Edinburgh for a 4-bedroom home will take about 1 to 2 weeks. A 3-bedroom semi-detached home can be fully rewired in 5 to 10 days. Smaller properties, such as a 1 to 2 bedroom flat, may take just 3 to 7 days.

Factors which extend the timeframe include accessibility to the work area, e.g., lifting floorboards or chasing stone walls, the number of outlets and switches installed and adding special circuits or smart home technology.

Rewiring causes significant disruption to daily life, and if the property is occupied, the process can take longer. Owners of listed properties should also consider whether planning permission is needed to carry out any rewiring - this can slow down the process.

Signs Your Home May Need Rewiring

There are often warning signs that your home may need rewiring.

• Frequent tripping
• Buzzing sockets
• Burn marks
• No earthing
• Obviously damaged wiring
• Cloth or rubber-coated cables

You may see one or more of these warning signs. For safety, you should contact a qualified electrician to get an assessment of your wiring as soon as possible.

Hiring an Electrician in Edinburgh

It’s essential that you hire a qualified electrician to rewire your home. You will need certification, such as an EIC or Part P of the Building Regulations, depending on the work you have done. Only a registered electrician can supply these. You should also hire a qualified electrician for safety reasons.

By obtaining at least three quotes, you will be able to compare prices and choose from the best electricians in Edinburgh. The quickest way to do that is to post your job on MyJobQuote. You’ll be put in touch with vetted, local tradesmen who will price your job.

Conclusion

By using MyJobQuote to contact local tradespeople, you know that you’re dealing with qualified professionals. This knowledge provides peace of mind about safety and long-term value for money.

To ensure that you use only the best for your house rewire in Edinburgh, post your job now on MyJobQuote and connect with registered electricians today.