A full house rewire is one of the bigger jobs a homeowner will book, so it makes sense to want a clear idea of the cost before picking up the phone. Prices vary more than people expect, mostly because property size and existing condition matter so much. Here is a realistic breakdown for Kent in 2026.
Average Rewiring Costs by Property Size
As a general guide for a full rewire across Tunbridge Wells and the wider Kent area:
- One or two-bedroom flat: from around £3,000
- Three-bedroom semi-detached house: typically £4,000 to £6,000
- Four-bedroom detached house: often in excess of £6,500, depending on specification
- Larger or period properties: priced individually, as older buildings often need more extensive first-fix work to route new cabling safely
These figures cover first-fix and second-fix wiring, a new consumer unit, all testing, and the Electrical Installation Certificate issued on completion. A proper quote should be fixed, agreed before work starts, with no surprises added to the final invoice.
What a Full Rewire Actually Includes
A full rewire replaces all of the wiring in a property from the consumer unit outward: lighting circuits, power circuits, and any dedicated circuits for appliances like electric showers or cookers. The consumer unit itself is replaced with a modern unit that includes RCBO or AFDD protection, offering much better safety than an older fuse board. New sockets, switches and light fittings are positioned to suit how you actually use each room, and it is a sensible time to add USB charging points, extra double sockets, or outdoor sockets while the walls are already open.
What Drives the Cost Up or Down
Property size and layout
More rooms means more circuits, more cable runs, and more sockets and fittings to install, which is the single biggest factor in the overall price.
Access to walls and floors
Properties with suspended timber floors and accessible lofts are generally quicker and less disruptive to rewire than those with solid concrete floors, where cables have to be chased into walls or run through conduit, adding time and often requiring more redecoration afterwards.
Age and construction type
Period properties, particularly those with lath and plaster walls or listed status, often need a more careful approach to routing cables without unnecessary damage, which can add to the cost compared with a straightforward modern brick-built home.
Specification
A basic like-for-like rewire costs less than one that adds significant extra provision, such as a large number of additional sockets, dedicated data cabling, or wiring in preparation for future extensions or an EV charger.
Full Rewire or Partial Rewire?
Not every property needs a full rewire. If only part of a house has an issue, for example a single extension with outdated wiring, or specific circuits flagged by an EICR, a partial rewire targets just that section and costs considerably less. We cover how to work out which one applies to you in full rewire versus partial rewire: how to know which you need.
Signs It Might Be Time
If you are not sure whether your property needs a rewire at all, there are some fairly reliable warning signs, from a fuse board with ceramic fuses rather than modern breakers to sockets that feel warm to the touch. We have listed the most common ones in 7 signs your Tunbridge Wells home needs rewiring. An EICR is also a reliable way to get a definitive answer; if you want to understand what that costs first, see our guide to EICR cost in Tunbridge Wells and Kent.
Getting an Accurate Quote
Because so much depends on the specifics of your property, the only reliable way to get an accurate figure is a free site visit. Our team surveys the property, discusses your requirements, and provides a fixed-price quote with no obligation, covering Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Crowborough and the surrounding area. Get in touch to arrange a visit.