House Rewire Cost in Leeds | Average Prices 2026

From the red-brick terraces of Hyde Park and Chapeltown to the stone-built townhouses and 1930s semi-detached houses of Headingley and Horsforth, Leeds is well-known for its characterful properties. However, homes like these commonly contain old electrical wires and circuits that need upgrading to ensure they’re safe and compliant with current regulations.

It’s not just older homes needing a full house rewire in Leeds. Circuits installed over 20 years ago aren’t designed to cope with today’s electricity demands. Extensions, homeworking, modern security systems and car charging facilities are just some of the reasons why a rewire is the only practical option for many family homes, bungalows and apartments across Leeds.

A full house rewire involves replacing electrical wiring throughout the home, along with the fuse box, lighting points, sockets and switches.

The cost of rewiring a house in Leeds varies, depending on the size and age of the home, and the ease of access. In this guide, find out the costs and considerations for a rewire and how to confidently hire electricians in Leeds.

Average Cost of a House Rewire in Leeds

On average, Leeds house rewiring prices range between £2,800 and £12,000, depending on the property size.

When calculating any house rewire cost in Leeds, you need to factor in your location, as this may affect the overall price.

For instance, you might find the demand for electricians is higher in popular residential areas such as Kirkstall and Meanwood, which can affect the rate you pay. If you live in a city centre apartment, access issues, such as daytime parking restrictions, and the need to carry materials up and down the stairs, could impact labour costs.

The layout of your property is another cost factor. A home with three floors typically takes more time and materials to rewire than a flat or bungalow. How easy it is to access spaces where wiring is being routed, such as between floors and in the loft, also affects the final cost.

Factors Affecting the Cost

The main factors affecting the cost of rewiring a house in Leeds:

• Property Size: The bigger the home and the more rooms it has, the more cabling, sockets, switches and light fittings it’ll require.
• Age of House: Old homes, including many brick and stone terraces found across Leeds, have solid walls. This makes it more time-consuming to chase wires in. Homes built over 30 years ago can also contain hidden problems and hazards that need to be dealt with.
• Occupied Homes: Empty homes are easier to work in. Labour costs will be higher if electricians need to move furniture and lift carpets.
• Access: Restricted space to work in, flats with lots of stairs to climb, and a lack of parking for a van are examples of access issues that can impact costs.
• Level of Finish: Opting for designer switches and sockets instead of basic fittings can add an extra £200 to £800 to a house rewire cost in Leeds. If you want the walls redecorated afterwards, the final price will be higher.
• Consumer Unit Upgrades: If you’re adding large appliances such as electric showers and cookers or have had an extension, it’s likely you’ll need to upgrade your consumer unit to accommodate the additional circuits.
• Extra Work: Additions, such as EV charger installations Outdoor lights, security systems and extra sockets will increase costs. For instance, adding an outdoor plug socket to your rear wall typically costs between £85 and £120.

Full vs Partial House Rewire Costs

A full house rewire involves replacing the consumer unit, all the electrical wiring, and the sockets, switches and lighting points. A partial rewire is where only certain elements are updated, such as a single circuit.

Sometimes a partial rewire is sufficient when the old wiring is part of a renovation or when the rest of the wiring is up to current standards. Occasionally, there may be damage to a particular area from a leak or fire and a partial rather than a full rewire is needed.

Not sure whether to choose a full or partial rewire? Here’s why a full house rewire is recommended:

• Safety: Upgrading an old fuse box with modern circuit breakers and an RCD safety device increases your protection against electrical faults and fatal shocks. Replacing old wiring reduces the risk of fire.
• Compliance: You can be sure all your home’s wiring is certified and complies with current Building Regulations. This gives you peace of mind and makes it easier to rent out and sell your home.

However, a partial rewire may be suitable in the following circumstances:

• You have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), and it only highlights a few minor issues.
• Most of your home’s wiring is already up to date.
• You’re renovating one room at a time to reduce disruption and know from an EICR that the old wiring is safe to use in the meantime.

Additional Costs to Consider

When you’re planning a rewire, it’s wise to consider these additional costs:

• New Sockets and Switches: If your home’s current number of sockets and switches isn’t meeting your needs, consider adding more to reduce the need for extension cables around the home. You may also find upgrading to USB sockets and dimmer switches increases convenience further.
• Smart Features: Increase comfort and security, and make your home attractive to buyers, by adding smart lighting , cameras and alarm systems. Smart alarm systems typically cost £250 - £880.
• Electrical Certificates: An EICR certificate costs between £80 and £150.
• Plastering: Replastering a room costs between £15 and £80 per m².
• Redecorating: Expect to pay between £175 and £990 per room, depending on the size.
• Parking: If you live in a flat or house with no dedicated parking, you may need to factor in parking charges. In Leeds city centre, it can cost between £10 and £60 per week to park.

Electrical Components

When planning a house rewire, it's worth taking a close look at the electrical components that'll be upgraded or replaced. The fuse box, or consumer unit as it's often called, is at the heart of your home's electrical system and plays a vital role in keeping your family safe from electrical shocks and faults.

A new consumer unit is often needed when rewiring to provide modern RCD protection, which is absolutely crucial for safeguarding your family against electrical faults and shocks.

As well as the consumer unit, you'll probably also need to fit new plug sockets and light fittings right across the property. The number and type of sockets and switches you choose will also affect the overall cost, with standard fittings available up to designer or USB outlets for added convenience.

Each new socket or switch installation will start at around £50, with the cost of a consumer unit upgrade ranging from £400 to £800, depending on the specific requirements. By factoring these components into the rewiring process, you can be confident your home will be equipped for modern living and meet the latest safety standards.

Consumer Unit Upgrade

Upgrading the consumer unit is a pretty crucial part of any re-wire project. It acts as the control centre for your home's electrical circuits, and a modern upgrade ensures your system is up to the task of handling the increased power demands of today's appliances and gadgets.

A new consumer unit will give you essential RCD protection, which will help prevent electrical shocks and reduce the risk of fire by quickly cutting off the power in the event of a fault.

The cost of a consumer unit upgrade is usually factored into the overall cost of the re-wiring, but can vary depending on the type and quality of the unit you choose.

It is absolutely crucial that this work is carried out by a qualified electrician, as they will ensure the installation meets all safety regulations and is tailored to your property's specific needs.

By investing in a consumer unit upgrade, you'll not only be improving safety but also adding value to your home by bringing your electrics up to current standards.

How Long Does a House Rewire Take?

Full house rewires can take between 2 and 14 days, depending on the size of the property. A 1-bedroom flat takes from 2 to 4 days, while a 2-bedroom terraced house takes 3 to 8 days.

Typical timeframes by property type:

• Flat, maisonette or small terrace: 4 - 8 days
• Three-bed terrace or semi-detached house: 7 - 10 days
• Large detached house or townhouse: 8 - 15 days

These timescales may be affected if your electrician needs to work around other renovations or if a hazard such as asbestos is discovered. If you’re planning to add or move the position of switches, sockets and lights, you’ll need time to plan this out with your electrician.

Those with listed homes should also factor in an extra eight weeks to obtain consent from their local planning authority.

Signs Your Home May Need Rewiring

Can’t tell whether your home needs rewiring? Here are the signs to look for:

• Sockets that have burn marks or make buzzing noises
• Flickering lights in multiple rooms
• Damaged wiring, from rodents or general wear and tear
• Wiring with rubber, fabric or lead insulation
• Frequent tripping of circuit breakers
• Sockets mounted in skirting boards
• Old-style Bakelite fuse box containing cartridges rather than circuit breakers
• Lack of green and yellow earthing cables on wiring

To safeguard against fire, electric shocks and other serious issues, you should hire a professional electrician if you notice one or more of these signs.

Hiring an Electrician in Leeds

When hiring electricians in Leeds, do check that they’re:

• Qualified with a Level 3 NVQ or similar diploma.
• Registered as a competent person with a government-backed scheme, such as NICEIC or NAPIT. Only registered electricians can issue a completion certificate for the work, confirming it meets Building Regulations.

You should also obtain at least three quotes for comparison, so you can be sure you’re hiring a trusted electrician and paying a fair price. Posting your job on MyJobQuote is a quick and easy way to do this.

Conclusion

A house rewire is the best way to ensure your home’s electrics are safe and up to standard. Ticking this job off not only gives you peace of mind, but it also helps protect the value of your home.

All set to get your home rewired? Post your job on MyJobQuote and receive up to three free quotes from professional electricians in Leeds.