How long should a full rewire take?

Author: Athena Rath  |  Last update: Thursday, July 3, 2025

On average, wiring a house takes between three and 10 days. The time commitment needed varies based on a home's size and age. Expect at least seven days for a home older than 40 years.

How long does a full rewire take?

With so much to do, it's no wonder this job can take such a long time. It's also difficult to give exact timescales as the duration of a house rewire will depend on a range of factors. Usually, this project will take between 5 and 10 days, although this doesn't account for any necessary finishing decoration works.

How long does it take an electrician to wire a whole house?

For a general idea, rewiring a small to medium-sized house could take anywhere from a week to 10 days. Larger homes, or those with complications as mentioned earlier, can extend to 2-3 weeks or more. Always add some buffer time, as unforeseen challenges might arise.

How long does it take to rewire a 2000 sq ft house?

Typically, rewiring a house will take 3-10 days to complete.

Can you live in a house while being rewired?

While going away for the duration will indeed mean you won't have to see any mess, hear any noise, or deal with any of it, you can definitely live in your house for the duration. The best electricians will cover all your furniture and lay drop cloths down where they're working.

DOES YOUR PROPERTY NEED AN ELECTRICAL REWIRE? - THE MAIN SIGNS TO LOOK FOR!

How messy is a full rewire?

A house rewire can be a dusty, messy and disruptive business – but it's worth it: ensuring your home is safe and secure is essential – and with a professional house rewire comes the added bonus of convenience, especially if you would like additional power points or specific features such as dimmer switches.

Do walls have to be removed to rewire a house?

Sometimes it's even possible to do the job without removing any drywall or pulling up any flooring, but this is uncommon. In most cases, electricians can pull or “fish” many new wires into place through existing fixtures like lights, outlet boxes and switches.

How disruptive is rewiring a house?

It can create an incredible amount of dust and extensive disruption. Choose an electrician who works alone or with inexperienced staff and this can go on for a lengthy uncomfortable length of time with limited power available. To rewire a house it is necessary to gain access to under your flooring.

Is it expensive to rewire a house?

When including both labor and materials, it can cost from $2 to $4 per square foot for a rewiring project. For a 2,000-sq. -ft. home, that can run $4,000 to $8,000.

What comes after electrical rough in?

When you are absolutely certain that everything has been roughed-in properly, it is time to finish the walls, install the doors & trim, hang the cabinets, put down the hardwood flooring, install tile, and more! Interior doors, trim, and shelving are installed, and paint is applied.

Is it possible to rewire entire house?

Rewiring your whole home might be a big project, but it's always worth it in the end. For one, new wiring makes your home safer, and that alone is worth the cost. However, if you're planning on selling your home, buying an older home, or remodeling your house, then rewiring is even more important.

How long should an electrician take?

Earning your electrician qualifications without doing so through an apprenticeship scheme can take between 19 months and three years, depending on how long you complete each stage.

How long should it take an electrician to wire a house?

The time to do a solid job could range anywhere from several days to several weeks depending on the size and complexity of the home.

What does a full rewire include?

The work typically includes cutting chases and installing cabling into the walls. Then fitting new back boxes for switches and sockets. Rewiring power, heating and lighting circuits. Rewiring phone and TV aerial sockets.

How much does it cost to rewire an old 1500 square foot house?

For a 3-bedroom, 1,500 square foot home, the average cost to rewire can range from $10 to $20 per square foot. This means a full rewiring project could cost between $15,000 and $30,000. Smaller homes, such as a 2-bedroom bungalow, will naturally be on the lower end of this spectrum.

Why is rewiring so expensive?

Factors impacting the cost of rewiring a house

The quality of fixtures and fittings. The number of electrical sockets. The complexity of the existing wiring system. Whether your home is occupied (it's easier for electricians to work in unfurnished, empty properties)

How long does it take to rewire a 1000 sq ft house?

On average, wiring a house takes between three and 10 days. The time commitment needed varies based on a home's size and age. Expect at least seven days for a home older than 40 years.

What is the life expectancy of house wiring?

Home electrical wiring can last for many years, a reliable source of power. But, its lifespan may vary based on quality of installation, upkeep practices, and usage patterns. Modern wiring materials are durable, and can last up to 50 years. But, improper installation or excess strain/damage can decrease its longevity.

Do walls have to come down to rewire a house?

Rewiring a house is a major undertaking that many homeowners dread due to the perceived mess and potential damage to walls. However, thanks to advancements in electrical techniques and careful planning, it's possible to rewire your home without tearing down the drywall.

What is the alternative to rewiring a house?

As long as you use a fully qualified, registered electrician, surface mounted wiring is a safe alternative to a traditional rewire and if not opposed to the look, should be strongly considered especially if you're looking to rewire on a budget.

Is a full house rewire messy?

Is a full or partial rewire a messy job? Yes, an electrical rewire is a very messy and disruptive job. Depending on the type of house construction, there can be a lot of dust and mess generated when rewiring. Good electrical contractors will have suitable dust extraction equipment and methods to help minimise the dust.

Is Romex wiring good?

In conclusion, Romex wiring is a widely used electrical wiring type that offers various benefits, including cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, safety, and versatility.

How do you know if you need a full rewire?

If you have an older home and it has not been inspected for a number of years, it may be due a rewire. Signs that you may need to rewire your home include circuit breakers that trip regularly, slight shocks from switches and outlets, frequently flickering or dimming lights, damaged or exposed wires and cables.

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