How Much Does a Full House Rewire Cost in Belfast?

A full house rewire is one of the bigger electrical jobs a homeowner will face, but in many older Belfast homes it is also one of the most important. If your wiring is decades old, upgrading it makes your home safer, more practical and easier to sell. This guide explains the typical house rewire cost in Belfast, what affects the price, the signs that you need one and what to expect during the work.

Average rewire costs in Belfast

Every home is different, but as a rough guide for 2026, homeowners in Belfast and Lisburn can expect the following price ranges for a full rewire, including a new consumer unit. These are indicative figures only, and your electrician will give you a firm quote after a survey.

• One bedroom flat: around £2,500 to £4,000
• Two bedroom terrace: around £3,500 to £5,500
• Three bedroom semi or terrace: around £4,500 to £7,500
• Four bedroom detached house: around £6,500 to £10,000 or more

Plastering and redecorating after the work are usually extra, so it is worth budgeting for them separately.

What affects the price

Several factors can push the cost of a rewire up or down:

• The size of the property and the number of rooms
• How many sockets, lights and circuits you want, as many people add extra sockets and USB points
• Whether the house is empty or lived in, as working around furniture and family takes longer
• Solid walls, concrete floors and period features that need careful work
• Extras such as data cabling, outdoor lighting, smart controls or an EV charger circuit
• Access, including tall Victorian houses and converted flats where cables have to be run through several floors

Signs you need a rewire

Not every older home needs a full rewire, but these warning signs suggest you should have it checked:

• Old rubber, lead or fabric covered cables
• Round pin sockets or brown, black or very old switches
• Lights that flicker or dim when appliances turn on
• Sockets or switches that feel warm, or a burning smell
• A fuse box with rewireable fuses and no RCD protection
• Too few sockets, with extension leads in every room
• No rewire in the last 25 to 30 years

An Electrical Installation Condition Report will tell you whether a full rewire is needed, or whether a partial rewire of certain circuits is enough.

Older housing in Belfast and NI

Belfast has a huge number of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, particularly in areas like the Lisburn Road, the Ormeau Road, East Belfast and North Belfast. Many of these homes have been rewired in parts over the years, leaving a patchwork of old and new cables. Large period houses in South Belfast that were converted into flats can be especially complicated.

Lisburn has a mix of older city centre homes and estates built from the 1960s onwards, many of which are now reaching the age where a rewire makes sense. Across rural Northern Ireland, farmhouses and cottages often have even older systems.

What to expect during a rewire

A full rewire is usually done in two stages. The first fix involves lifting floorboards, chasing channels into walls and running new cables, which is the messiest part. The second fix comes after plastering, when sockets, switches, lights and the new consumer unit are fitted. A typical three bedroom house takes between five and ten working days.

It is easiest if the house is empty, but many people stay in their home during the work. Your electrician will usually make sure you have power at the end of each day. Once complete, everything is tested and you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate.

Get a rewire quote in Belfast

Thinking about a rewire? Send ElectriciansNI a WhatsApp with your name, area, the age and size of your home, and a photo of your fuse board. We will connect you with a trusted, NICEIC registered electrician in Belfast, Lisburn or anywhere in Northern Ireland for an accurate quote.