A full rewire is one of the most significant electrical jobs you can have done on an Edinburgh property — and one of the most important for long-term safety. Edinburgh's housing stock includes a huge number of Victorian and Edwardian tenements, stone terraces and pre-war houses where the original wiring is now decades past its safe working life. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Signs Your Edinburgh Property Needs a Full Rewire
- Wiring is rubber-insulated (black or red rubber sheathing) — this degrades and becomes brittle with age
- Lead-sheathed wiring is present — common in pre-1950s Edinburgh properties
- Your EICR has returned multiple C1 or C2 observations across the installation
- Sockets and switches are old round-pin or early flat-pin types
- Circuits trip frequently or fuses blow regularly
- You're planning a major renovation or extension and want to start fresh
- The property has been empty for many years
- You've bought an older Edinburgh property and have no electrical history
Full Rewire Cost in Edinburgh — 2026 Guide
Rewiring costs in Edinburgh depend on property size, number of circuits, access difficulty and whether the property is occupied during the work. Edinburgh tenements and stone-built properties can be more complex due to solid walls and limited cable routes.
| Property Type | Typical Cost Range | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 bed Edinburgh flat | £2,500 – £4,000 | 2–3 days |
| 3 bed Edinburgh terrace | £4,000 – £6,500 | 3–5 days |
| 4 bed Edinburgh semi/detached | £5,500 – £8,500 | 5–7 days |
| Large Edinburgh townhouse | £8,000 – £14,000+ | 7–12 days |
| Edinburgh tenement (per flat) | £3,000 – £5,500 | 3–5 days |
All prices include labour, materials, new consumer unit and Electrical Installation Certificate. Decoration and plastering after the work is not included. Contact us for a fixed quote.
Full Rewire vs Partial Rewire — Which Do You Need?
Not every Edinburgh property needs a complete rewire. A partial rewire may be appropriate if:
- Only certain circuits or areas of the property have deteriorated wiring
- You're extending or renovating a specific part of the property
- An EICR has identified specific circuits that need replacement
- You're adding new circuits to an otherwise sound installation
We'll always recommend the most cost-effective solution for your Edinburgh property — we won't suggest a full rewire if a partial rewire will achieve the same result safely.
What Happens During a Full Rewire?
Survey & Quote
We survey the property, count circuits, assess access and provide a fixed written quote. No surprises.
First Fix
All new cables are run through the property — through walls, floors and ceilings. This is the most disruptive phase. Chasing and lifting floorboards is normal.
New Consumer Unit
A new modern consumer unit with full RCD or RCBO protection is installed and all circuits connected.
Second Fix
All sockets, switches, light fittings and accessories are fitted and connected.
Testing & Certification
The full installation is tested to BS 7671 and your Electrical Installation Certificate is issued.
Edinburgh Areas We Cover for Rewiring
We carry out full and partial rewires across Edinburgh and the Lothians:
Get a Rewire Quote for Your Edinburgh Property
Fixed prices, fully qualified Edinburgh electricians, same-day certification on completion.