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There are potential fire hazards if you’re trying to draw a lot of electricity from old wiring. There may not be any visible signs to indicate that the time has come to get your home rewired, but it’s always best to get an electrician to check.
The short answer
It depends on the size of the home, how many storeys it has, how easy it is to work in and the fittings you choose. A typical rewire takes a week to ten days.
- Bigger homes, more storeys and labour-heavy jobs cost more, as do pricier fittings such as stainless steel sockets.
- Empty, easy-to-access homes are quicker to rewire. Extras like recessed lighting, USB sockets and outdoor security lights add to the bill.
What is a ballpark figure for a rewire?
Wires can easily deteriorate with age but unfortunately rewiring your house isn’t a home improvement which will be admired by others.
The cost of rewiring depends on the size and age of your home, how many storeys it has, how easy the wiring is to reach and the fittings you choose, and it often includes a switchboard upgrade. Because every home is different, the most reliable figure is a fixed quote after an inspection. Most rewiring projects take a week to ten days.
No visible signs
Wiring in a house over thirty years old may struggle with modern loads and become a fire hazard without showing any obvious symptoms. An electrician's check is the only reliable way to know.
Labour costs and materials
As always, the size of the house and materials will play a role in the final price – generally the more floors you have the greater the cost. A one-storey home will be cheaper because wiring doesn’t have to stretch out over several levels.
Labour costs will make up a heavy component of any quote because rewiring is time consuming and fiddly. Fittings you select will impact the price; for example, PVC sockets are cheaper than stainless steel ones.
Accessibility and project requirements
Electricians prefer working in empty homes as they can work faster without any interruptions. A house which is easily accessible is a bonus and will make the job easier. You may not realise that a large majority of electrical wiring is hidden in your roof space which is why most electricians prefer at least 50cm crawlspace in attics to move around.
A standard rewire of sockets and lights in individual rooms will be cheaper than more complex requirements. Advanced rewiring which incorporates hidden recessed lighting, USB sockets, outside security lights and electrical work for voice activated devices will naturally be more expensive.
Switchboard upgrade
Your switchboard is the heart of your home’s electrical system, as it distributes power to the circuits around the home. Older switchboards often need upgrading as part of a rewire.
It may need upgrading at the same time as your wiring because it doesn’t have the correct safety devices installed. Items such as RCD’s, Timers and Circuit Breakers.
With any rewiring project, you’ll want to hire a team who know what they’re doing. At PWA Electrical we have a team of trusted, qualified electricians who provide high-quality workmanship at affordable prices. We serve Perth and the surrounding suburbs and are proud of our 4.9-star Google rating from satisfied customers, so why not choose us for all your future electrical requirements?
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Talk to the PWA team about residential, commercial or after-hours work. Call us or send an enquiry for a free quote.
About the author
Brad Wilson
Senior Electrician, PWA Electrical Services
Brad is a seasoned professional who specialises in complex switchboards, control circuitry, and electrical service and maintenance. Reliable and experienced, no job is too big or small for him.
