If you’re wondering “how much does it cost to rewire a house?” the short answer is: in Lewes and across East Sussex, a full rewire usually starts around £3,500 and ranges to £9,500+ depending on property size, access, whether the home is occupied and the specification you choose. Below is a clear breakdown based on the most common property types we work on locally.
Typical costs & timelines
| Property Size | Full Rewire Guide Price | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bed flat/house | £3,500–£5,800 | 4–7 days | Faster if empty; allow extra if solid walls |
| 3-bed house | £4,500–£8,000 | 6–10 days | Most common locally |
| 4-bed house | £6,000–£9,500 | 7–12 days | More circuits & accessories |
| 5+ bed house | £7,500–£12,500+ | 10–15 days | Survey needed for accuracy |
What’s typically included: new cabling, consumer unit, sockets & switches, testing, certificates, and Building Control notification.
Partial rewire? From £800–£3,500 for specific rooms or circuits.
Get a precise quote: Call LH Electrical on 01273 443324 for your free survey in Lewes and surrounding areas.
What affects the cost to rewire a house?
1) Property size & circuit count
Bigger homes mean longer cable runs, more circuits (kitchen, cooker, sockets, lighting, bathrooms, outdoor, EV prep), and more accessories. As a rule of thumb, each extra bedroom adds ~£1,000–£1,500 to the budget.
2) Age & condition of the installation
Pre-1960s wiring (rubber or fabric-insulated) or older consumer units often demand full replacement and improved earthing/bonding. Period homes (common in Lewes) can add £1,000–£2,000 due to careful routing and making good.
3) Empty vs occupied
Works are faster in empty properties. If you’re living in during the rewire, allow 20–30% extra time and £1,000–£1,500 for the added making-safe and clean-up each day.
4) Walls & floors
Suspended timber floors and plasterboard walls are simpler. Solid brick walls, lath-and-plaster ceilings and concrete floors take longer, commonly adding £500–£1,500.
5) Specification choices
White plastic accessories and a standard 18th Edition metal consumer unit keep costs lean. Upgrades like decorative metal plates, smart controls, USB sockets or extensive downlighting typically add 15–25%.
6) Access & location
Central Lewes is usually straightforward; rural access can add modest travel time. External works in conservation areas may need a sympathetic approach and occasionally approvals.
Do you actually need a rewire?
Age & condition checkpoints
- Very likely needs rewiring: wiring older than ~40 years; rubber/fabric/lead-insulated cables; round-pin sockets.
- Probably needs significant upgrades: 30–40 years old; no RCD protection; failed or poor EICR results.
- Could be a partial rewire: 20–30 years old with isolated issues or when renovating specific rooms.
Warning signs to act on
- Regular breaker trips or blown fuses
- Flickering/dimming lights
- Scorch marks or discolouration on sockets/switches
- Burning smells or buzzing
- Shocks or tingles from metalwork
- Warm outlets or melted plug pins
If you’re seeing any of these, book a safety check on 01273 443324.
Cost breakdown by property size
2-bed flat/house — £3,500–£5,800
Includes: full rewire of 6–8 rooms, 10–15 double sockets, 6–10 lighting points, new 8–12 way consumer unit, testing & certification.
Timeline: 4–7 working days.
Real example (Lewes): 2-bed terrace rewire at £4,200, completed in 6 days.
3-bed house — £4,500–£8,000
Includes: 8–10 rooms, 15–25 double sockets, 10–15 lighting points, new 12–16 way board, mains interlinked smoke alarms, testing & certification.
Timeline: 6–10 working days.
Real example (Lewes): 3-bed semi at £5,800, 9 days.
4-bed house — £6,000–£9,500
Includes: 10–12 rooms, 25–35 double sockets, 15–20 lighting points, 16–20 way board, dedicated kitchen circuits, testing & certification.
Timeline: 7–12 working days.
Real example (East Sussex): 4-bed detached at £7,500, 12 days.
5+ bed house — £7,500–£12,500+
Larger properties can require multiple consumer units or split-load arrangements. A survey is essential for an accurate quote.
Timeline: 10–15 working days once access is arranged.
What’s included (and what isn’t)
Materials & equipment (included)
- New cabling (typically 2.5mm² sockets / 1.5mm² lighting)
- Metal consumer unit to 18th Edition standards
- RCD/RCBO protection as specified
- Standard white sockets & switches
- Back boxes, fixings & accessories
- Mains interlinked smoke alarms
- Main protective bonding to gas & water
- Earthing upgrades where required
Labour (included)
- Pre-works survey & planning
- First fix (cables & back boxes)
- Second fix (accessories & connections)
- Full testing & certification
- Building Control notification (self-certification)
- Basic making good of chases and access holes
- Daily tidy and final clean-down
Not typically included
- Full plastering or decoration
- New light fittings (we’ll connect yours)
- Premium accessories unless specified
- Furniture moving or storage
- Alternative accommodation
Full rewire vs partial rewire
Full rewire
- All circuits replaced and brought up to modern standards
- New consumer unit and RCD/RCBO protection
- Best long-term safety and value
Typical cost: £3,500–£12,500 depending on size
Partial rewire
- Targeted upgrades to rooms or circuits
- Useful during phased renovations or where much of the installation tests satisfactorily
Typical cost: £800–£3,500
Tip: If multiple circuits are failing or near end-of-life, a full rewire is often more economical and consistent.
Additional costs to consider
- EICR (pre-works survey): £150–£250 for diagnostics and scoping
- Plastering/decoration: patching included; full room redecoration typically £400–£800 per room
- Spec upgrades: USB sockets (£15–£25 each), decorative plates (whole-house £300–£500), smart cabling (Cat6 £400–£800), outdoor circuits (£300–£800), EV charger prep (£200–£400)
- Accommodation: If you move out, budget £70–£150 per night depending on hotel/Airbnb
Rewiring period properties in Lewes
Lewes is rich with Victorian and Edwardian homes. We work sympathetically to preserve character while meeting modern standards.
- Solid brick walls: extra chasing & making good (often +£500–£1,000)
- Lath-and-plaster ceilings: fragile; careful routing and repairs (+£300–£800)
- Earthing & bonding updates: common on older stock (+£200–£400)
- Conservation areas: sensitive routing and external details; usually time, not large cost
LH Electrical has 15+ years’ experience working in period homes across Lewes and East Sussex.
The rewiring process: what to expect
Days 1–2 (First fix begins): isolate power; lift boards where needed; run cables and fit back boxes; position board.
Days 3–5: complete cable routes; tackle tricky areas; pull in kitchen/bathroom circuits.
Days 6–8 (Second fix): fit sockets/switches; connect lights; wire the consumer unit.
Days 9–10 (Testing & finish): full testing; reinstate floors; fill chases; clean; issue certificates.
Occupied properties can take 20–30% longer due to daily make-safe and clean-down.
Can you stay in the property?
Yes—many clients do. Expect daytime power-offs, noise (8am–5pm), dust control with sheeting, and access required to most rooms. Keep one room as a clear “safe zone.” Fridges/freezers can usually stay powered.
Save money: moving out during first-fix typically saves £1,000–£1,500 and shortens the programme.
Real Lewes example (case study)
Property: 3-bed Victorian terrace near Lewes town centre
Issues: rubber-insulated cables, no RCDs, rewirable fuses, ageing bonding
Challenges: solid walls, lath-and-plaster ceilings, client living-in
Works: full rewire; 12-way consumer unit; 22 double sockets; 12 switches; mains smoke alarms; bonding upgrades; full testing & certification
Cost: £5,800
Duration: 9 working days over 2 weeks to allow living-in
Outcome: fully compliant, EICR pass, future-proofed for modern loads
“Luke’s team worked around us staying in the house and kept things tidy. We finally have enough sockets and the peace of mind is priceless.” — Lewes homeowner
How to reduce the cost to rewire a house
- Move out during first-fix – saves time and £1,000–£1,500.
- Stick to standard spec – upgrade plates later to save £500–£1,500.
- Combine with other works – share access costs and disruption (save £300–£800).
- Clear rooms beforehand – reduce labour (save £200–£400).
- Consider a partial rewire – only if the rest of the installation tests sound.
FAQs: cost to rewire a house
How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bed house in the UK?
Typically £4,500–£8,000. Period homes, occupied works or premium specs increase cost.
How long does rewiring take?
2-bed: 4–7 days; 3-bed: 6–10 days; 4-bed: 7–12 days. Empty homes are faster.
Do I need a rewire on a 30-year-old house?
Book an EICR to assess—many late-90s/early-2000s homes need upgrades to meet current safety standards. We’ll advise honestly if a partial rewire is enough.
Can I get a quote without a survey?
We can give a ballpark by phone, but an on-site survey is essential for an accurate fixed quote. Free surveys available.
Is partial rewiring cheaper?
Yes—40–60% less than a full rewire in many cases, but only suitable where the rest tests satisfactorily.
Do you handle Building Control?
Yes. As a registered electrical contractor we self-certify and notify Building Control. Certificates are included in our price.
Why choose LH Electrical
- 15+ years serving Lewes and East Sussex
- NAPIT-registered, fully insured
- Transparent pricing with no hidden extras
- Specialists in period properties & conservation areas
- 5★ local reviews
- Certification and notifications included
- Clean, considerate teams
Get your free rewiring quote (Lewes & nearby)
The cost to rewire a house depends on size, access and specification. For a precise fixed quote, book a free survey.
Call LH Electrical on 01273 443324
Areas covered: Lewes, Eastbourne, Uckfield, Crowborough, Hailsham, Seaford, Peacehaven and across East Sussex.