How much does it cost to rewire a house?

Electrical wiring is often not the first thing you would consider when thinking about making your home safe for your family. You may have lived in your house for years with no issues. But did you know that 40% of house fires in NSW each year are caused by electrical faults and electrical appliances? Simple prevention could have avoided those families losing their homes. Here’s a simple guide to the cost of rewiring a house.

Why do I need to rewire my house?

All of us have more advanced personal electrical devices than we did 30 years ago. Think of items around your home like your hairdryer, your washing machine, your television, and even your mobile phone. Older wiring systems were not built to keep up with our modern technology and energy consumption. Older homes’ electrical wiring will also gradually wear due to old age, and excessive usage will eventually lead it to deteriorate. Old damaged wiring can, and have, caused house fires. Protecting not only your investment, but your family can be as simple as rewiring your house and is essential in older homes.

Safety is the main reason your property’s wiring should be properly inspected and maintained by a professional electrician and may need to be rewired.

What are the signs that I need to have my house rewired

What are the signs that I need to have my house rewired?

Many electrical faults and failures can be prevented with careful attention and maintenance. There are signs to look out for, which will signal you need to have your house rewired. It’s also essential to keep up with Australian Standards, which have evolved and changed based on our demand for modern electrical devices, which older homes didn’t need to take into consideration. Most homes that predate 1999 are not wired to meet the requirements of today’s modern technology.

Here are some signs your home electrics need to be rewired:

  • Your house is more than 30 years old
  • Fuses blow often
  • Lights flicker or dim regularly
  • The electrical panel is over-fused
  • Light bulbs need replacing often
  • There are buzzing sounds or burning smells from electrical outlets
  • There are sparks from an outlet when you plug in an appliance
  • You receive tingling or a minor shock when you touch wall outlets
  • Plugs sit loosely in the outlets
  • Unusual noises, sparking, and odours

There may be other signs that your house needs rewiring. Contact a Licensed Electrician for essential preventative electrical maintenance.

What costs are involved in rewiring a house

What costs are involved in rewiring a house?

The average cost to rewire a house depends on several factors. To rewire an existing house (rather than wiring a newbuild), the electrician will have to work around existing walls and framing. It will take more time and planning. Other factors impacting part or entire house rewiring include the size of the house, the location of the property, the accessibility around the house and the amount of materials required for the job including switchboards and safety switches.

How much will it cost to rewire a house?

The costs will range, depending on several factors. Rewiring a small granny flat will be faster (less hours for the electrician) and require less materials, and therefore will cheaper than a double story 3 bedroom house, which has many more rooms and accessibility issues. A general guide for the cost to rewire a house is: 

  • 2 Bedroom House            $1,500-$6,000
  • 3 Bedroom House            $3,500-$11,000
  • 4 Bedroom House            $10,000-$14,000
Can I rewire my own house

Can I rewire my own house?

Rewiring a home is not always a cheap. But it’s essential for the safety of your family.  After all, “more than 40% of residential fires in Australia are associated with electrical faults or failures caused by degraded wiring or overloading the system.”

Never touch old wires you may find in your house, frayed wires or damaged switches. Any part of it may have a live electrical current passing through it. Call an experienced electrician.

In Australia, the only electrical works homeowners are allowed to do without proper qualifications is changing a lightbulb. Residential electrical projects must be done by a Licensed Electrician or Registered Electrical Contractor. Even if it is checked by a qualified electrician at a later date, and deemed compliant with Australian Standards, DIY electrical work can’t be retrospectively certified, which can cause issues with insurance, and selling your home. You may also incur a hefty fine.

Wiring projects that must be left to the professionals include:

  • Wiring any part of your home
  • Installing or moving power points
  • Installing or moving lights and switches
  • Installing ceiling fans
Protect your family and house by taking this simple step

Protect your family and house by taking this simple step

Powered Electrical & Data can provide professional and fast residential electrical services in the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Maitland and surrounding areas. To organise an inspection or request a quote to rewire your house, contact us using our online tool or call 0466 182 944.

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