How Much Does it Cost to Rewire An Old House?

Wondering how much it costs to rewire an old house? We'll shed light on when a full electrical overhaul is necessary, what tasks it entails, and the range of costs you might be looking at for your upcoming home rewiring project. 

How much does it cost to rewire an old house? It’s a question on many homeowner’s minds, and what a valid question it is! In this article, we’ll illuminate the average cost of electrical wiring replacement services to make sure that you’re getting bang for your buck. 
 
Like fine wine, homes age, but unlike wine, their electrics don’t get any better. Think about it; computers, washing machines, air conditioning and gaming consoles are all gizmos and gadgets that you use every day. Over time, these modern appliances can push an outdated wiring system to its limit - switches can break, wires can fray, and electrically sound components can deteriorate into a fire hazard.
 
Ignoring ‘minor faults’ and sticking with your old wiring might seem like a time and money-saving move. But before you risk turning your home into a tinderbox, you might want to get your wiring inspected and rewired by a professional electrician. Nearly half of all residential fires in Australia are linked to electrical faults or failures, so trust us when we say that paying to rewire your old house is just a drop in the ocean compared to the brutal costs of repairing the damage an electrical fire can inflict on your home.

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire An Old House?

​It is important to remember that every rewiring project of an electrical system will have slightly different requirements, a unique setting, and in turn, a varied set of prices. The actual cost of the rewiring project will be entirely contingent on what needs to be done and the accessibility of your home’s electric wiring.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace Electrical Wiring?​

​With electricians charging between $70-$130 per hour, a small rewiring job could cost around $500. If you require major rewiring, the average cost of rewiring a house could be $6,000 or more, depending on the state of your property and its electrics. To help you get a clearer picture, let’s look at what electricians do when rewiring a house and the factors that affect the job.

What Is Rewiring?

​Rewiring is no small feat; it requires pulling out old electrical wires and components, and replacing them with new ones, for example, with copper wiring. Depending on the accessibility of your electrics and wiring, an electrician may need to remove cladding or existing walls to complete the job.
 
Your house rewire could only involve replacing a few wires or a complete replacement with additional sockets, power points and switchboards. The complexity of the job will also influence its duration. Electricians can complete simple rewiring jobs in a few hours, while more complex projects can take a week.

Why Do I Need Rewiring on My Property?

As we said before, rewiring is an essential part of maintaining the integrity and safety of your home. Here are some signs you might be due for new wiring:
 

• House electrics are more than 30 years old
• Buzzing or burning smells from an electrical outlet
• Fuses blowing regularly
• Sparks emitted when plugging in appliances
• Circuit breakers consistently tripping
• Visible degradation of the wiring
• Lights flickering or dimming

​If you identify any of the above signs happening in your home, it is best to contact the services of a qualified electrician for an inspection. Additionally, sometimes your wiring and electrical panel can be at risk of malfunction even if everything appears normal. If you have any concerns about your homes' wiring or require a routine inspection, Electrical Safety Inspections are easy to book and often free of charge. Safety inspections allow electricians to check the correct function of electrical installations and appliances and test for any hazards, before any considerations to rewire a house are made. From there, they can recommend solutions to remedy any issues found and ensure all components are compliant with relevant safety standards. Cowley Electrical Services provide electrical safety inspections up and down the NSW South Coast from Narooma to Ulladulla and everywhere in between.

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire an Apartment?

​Just like when asking, “How much does it cost to rewire an old house?”, it is challenging to put down an exact figure for rewiring costs of an apartment. The good news is that due to their smaller size, apartments are often cheaper to rewire than a complete house.
 
However, the total cost to rewire a house is still entirely dependent on the work you require and the accessibility of electrical components. Minor tasks such as rewiring light sockets or an inverter cost roughly $100, depending on the electrician's rates. Larger jobs such as installing or replacing a switchboard and switchboard cabling can vary between $1000 and $3000.

Factors Affecting the Average Cost of Electrical Wiring

The Size of Your House: As house sizes vary, so do their rewiring costs. A larger house with longer cabling lengths, more rooms and appliances will cost more. The smaller and more straightforward your home is, the easier it will be to rewire. 
 
The Electricians Hourly Rate: Hourly rates vary between electricians depending on the service they offer, their experience, and the area in which they operate. In NSW, a qualified electrician will, on average, cost between $80-$100 per hour. If you would like more information, read our breakdown of the hourly rates of an electrician in Australia.

​Accessibility of the Wiring: When it comes to how much does it cost to replace electrical wiring, accessibility is the most significant factor. The accessibility of wiring determines how much time electricians need to spend finding and getting to the cabling. The easier your wiring is to access; the less labour is required to find and replace components.
 
Materials: Materials may include the switchboard, amount of wire, electrical outlets, light switches, and other electrical components. Additionally, if any walls or facades were removed to access the wiring, this can include the material required for replacements and finishes in these areas. 

How Do I Know Which Quote Is the Best?

​When seeking local electricians to conduct a rewiring project in your home, approaching various electricians for a quote is the best way to start your project. Getting a quote is the best way to find out how much does it cost to rewire an old house. A quote will provide a full breakdown of house rewiring costs relevant to the electrician’s rates and the specific requirements of electrical work for your project. You should seek out various quotes and electricians to find the tradesperson that best suits you and operates within your budget.

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire an Old House With Cowley Electrical? 

​If you are looking for reliable, friendly, and expert residential electricians on the NSW South Coast, look no further than Cowley Electrical Services. We are fully insured and licensed to take on any residential rewiring project. Our fast and professional service will provide electrical solutions no matter how big or small your project is. If you would like more information about our services and locations on the south coast, give us a call on 0411 457 441 or send a message through our contact page.