Rewiring a House: How to Price the Biggest Job on Your Board
Full rewires are high value and high risk. Here's how to quote them without losing your shirt.
A full house rewire is one of the biggest residential jobs an electrician can win, and one of the easiest to get badly wrong. Walls, ceilings, old cabling, access and the client's expectations about mess all affect the real cost. A rushed quote on a rewire can wipe out a month of profit.
Typical price ranges
As a broad guide, a full rewire of a standard three-bedroom home in Australia often lands somewhere between $8,000 and $20,000 including GST, depending on size, access and how much else is upgraded at the same time. Partial rewires of a few circuits cost far less. Two-storey homes, brick walls, no roof space or a switchboard upgrade can push the price higher. These are indicative figures only, so price every job from your own rates and site inspection.
Signs a home needs a rewire
- Rubber or cloth-insulated cabling, common in homes wired before the 1970s
- Ceramic fuses and no safety switches
- Frequent tripping, flickering lights or warm power points
- Too few power points, with double adaptors everywhere
- Renovations or extensions that the old circuits can't support
What actually drives the price
- Access. Good roof space and subfloor access make a rewire far quicker. Slab homes, raked ceilings and double brick slow everything down.
- Number of points. Every power point, light and switch adds labour and materials.
- Making good. Decide upfront who patches and paints. Leave it out of the quote and say so clearly.
- Switchboard. Most rewires need a new board with RCD or RCBO protection on every circuit.
- Occupied or vacant. Working around a family living in the home takes longer than a vacant property.
How to quote a rewire properly
Walk the whole house, check roof and subfloor access, and photograph everything. Break the quote into stages so the client can see where the money goes, and give options, such as a like-for-like rewire, a rewire with extra points, or a full upgrade with smart-home ready wiring. Spell out exclusions and assumptions, because hidden asbestos or damaged framing are common surprises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to rewire a house in Australia?
A full rewire of a typical three-bedroom Australian home often costs between $8,000 and $20,000 including GST, depending on size, access, wall construction and whether the switchboard is upgraded at the same time.
How long does a house rewire take?
Most full house rewires take between three days and two weeks, depending on the size of the home, access to roof and subfloor spaces, and whether the home is occupied during the work.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Common signs include old rubber or cloth-insulated cabling, ceramic fuses, no safety switches, frequent tripping, flickering lights and warm power points. A licensed electrician should inspect the wiring to confirm.
Does a house rewire need a compliance certificate?
Yes. A rewire is electrical installation work, so in NSW the electrician must lodge a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work through the BCNSW eCert portal. Other states have their own certificate requirements.