“How much will it cost to rewire my house?” is one of the questions we’re asked most often. It’s a fair question — and an important one — but the honest answer is: it depends. Every home is different, and a good rewire is priced on the specific property, not a one-size-fits-all rate. This guide explains what actually drives the cost, so you know what to expect before you ask for a quote.
What affects the cost of a rewire?
A handful of factors make the biggest difference to the final price:
- The size of the home. More rooms means more circuits, more cabling, more sockets and switches, and more labour. A two-bed terrace is a very different job from a five-bed detached house.
- Full or partial rewire. A full rewire replaces all the wiring in the property; a partial rewire tackles only the parts that need it. If your wiring is sound in some areas, a partial rewire can save money.
- Access and the age of the property. Older homes, solid walls, and tight or awkward spaces take more time to work in. A property that’s being renovated or is empty is usually quicker (and cheaper) to rewire than an occupied, finished home.
- How much you’re adding. A rewire is the perfect time to add extra sockets, better lighting, USB points, outdoor power, or a new consumer unit. The more you add, the more you invest — but it’s far cheaper to do it during a rewire than afterwards.
- Making good. Chasing walls for cables means some plastering and decorating afterwards. Whether that’s included, and to what standard, affects the price.
What should be included in a rewire?
When you compare quotes, make sure you’re comparing like with like. A proper rewire should include:
- New wiring throughout (full) or to the agreed areas (partial)
- A new consumer unit (fuse board) with modern RCD/RCBO protection where needed
- Sockets, switches and lighting points
- Smoke and heat alarm wiring
- Tidy reinstatement and making good
- Full electrical certification on completion
That last point matters more than people realise.
Why certification is non-negotiable
In Ireland, electrical work like a rewire should be carried out by a Safe Electric registered electrical contractor and certified. That certificate is your documented proof the work was done safely and to the required standard. You’ll want it for:
- Insurance — insurers can ask for proof of safe electrical work
- Selling your home — buyers and solicitors increasingly ask about it
- Peace of mind — it’s confirmation the job was done right
A quote that’s suspiciously cheap and skips certification isn’t a bargain — it’s a risk.
Signs your home may need rewiring
You may need a rewire if you notice:
- Old rubber, fabric or lead-sheathed cabling
- A fuse board with old rewireable fuses rather than modern breakers
- Frequent tripping, flickering lights or warm switches
- Discoloured sockets or a burning smell
- Not enough sockets for how you actually live
- You’re renovating or extending anyway
As a rule of thumb, if your home is more than 25–30 years old and has never been rewired, it’s worth getting it checked.
How to get an accurate price
Because so much depends on your specific home, the only way to get a real figure is a proper assessment. We offer free, no-obligation quotes — and there’s no call-out charge just to price the work. We’ll walk through the property, talk through your options in plain English, and give you a clear, itemised price with no surprises.
If you’re thinking about a rewire anywhere in Carlow or the South-East, get in touch for a free quote and we’ll take it from there.