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Electrical

Electrical small works estimate.

Whether you need a full rewire, a new consumer unit, or just a few extra sockets, pricing electrical work correctly depends on the scale of the job, access conditions, and the latest wiring regulations. This guide covers the key cost factors every electrician and homeowner should consider.

Authored by Alexandr Vreme & Maksym Vasylkov
Published July 2026 — Next review July 2027

Who this guide is for

This guide is for homeowners planning electrical work, electricians preparing quotes, and contractors managing renovation projects. It covers small-scale electrical works from adding a single socket to a partial or full rewire, along with testing, certification, and upgrades to meet current wiring regulations (BS 7671).

Information needed

To get an accurate estimate you need to know:

• Type of work — full rewire, partial rewire, extra points, or repair
• Number and type of points (sockets, light switches, light fittings, data points)
• Consumer unit age and type — does it need upgrading to current regs?
• Access conditions — timber floors (floorboards lifted and replaced), concrete screed, stud walls, solid brick chasing
• Decoration making good — plasterwork, painting, and decoration after chasing or lifting floors
• Property size and number of rooms
• Existing earthing and bonding arrangements

Typical pricing structure

Most electrical work is priced per point, with larger scopes priced per room or as a whole-house package:

• Socket outlet (new point) — £50–100 per point depending on access and cable run
• Light point (new) — £40–80 per point including switch and ceiling rose
• Consumer unit upgrade — £400–800 including testing and certification
• Full rewire (3-bed house) — typically £3,000–6,000 depending on access and property condition
• Partial rewire — £1,500–3,500 depending on circuit coverage
• Testing and certification (EICR) — £200–500 depending on property size
• Data/network points — £60–100 per point

Partial rewire vs full rewire

A full rewire replaces every cable from the consumer unit to every socket, switch, and light fitting in the property. It is the most disruptive but brings everything up to current regulations and provides a full certification. For a typical 3-bedroom house expect £3,000–6,000 depending on access — solid floors and concrete walls increase cost significantly.

A partial rewire replaces only specific circuits — often the downstairs ring or the kitchen circuit — and is suitable when some wiring is already modern and safe. It typically costs £1,500–3,500 but may leave some older wiring in place, which could affect the scope of certification.

Commonly missed costs

These items are frequently overlooked when estimating electrical work:

• Floorboard lifting and replacement — labour intensive and time consuming, especially with tongue-and-groove or glued boards
• Chasing walls and making good — cutting chases into brick or blockwork, then replastering and decorating
• Smoke and heat alarm upgrades — current regs require interlinked alarms on every floor, often wireless-linked
• Additional data and network points — often wanted alongside sockets but quoted separately
• Bonding upgrades — main and supplementary bonding to gas, water, and oil services
• Outside lighting and socket provision — external grade fittings with appropriate IP ratings
• EV charger provision — cabling capacity and future-proofing if the client may install a charger later
• Building regulation notification and Part P certification fees

Miniature worked example

2-bedroom flat — partial rewire with new consumer unit

Consumer unit (18th edition, RCBOs)	£550
20 socket outlets	£1,400
10 light points	£600
Testing and certification	£300
Total	£2,850

Note: making good and decoration not included. Floorboard reinstatement would add approximately £400–600 depending on board condition.

Questions to ask

• Do you need a full or partial rewire?
• Is the existing consumer unit compliant with the 18th Edition?
• Are you planning any decorating work — ideally electrical work is done before plastering and painting
• Do you need data cabling, TV points, or outside power?
• What is the floor construction — timber, concrete, or screed?
• Do you have an EV charger or plan to install one in the next two years?
• Have the smoke and heat alarms been checked against current regulations?