Cost of Rewiring An Old House

Outdated electrical systems can be unsafe. Rewiring provides peace of mind but it’s a costly job. With fees ranging from $5,000 to over $25,000, understanding the factors that influence rewiring expenses allows sensible budgeting. This guide examines the costs involved for different home types and sizes, ensuring you get qualified quotes. It also covers critical steps for safe, compliant upgrades that meet strict Australian standards.

Average Cost of Rewiring in Australia

Rewiring a house in Australia can be a costly exercise, with the total expenses involved varying quite a bit depending on the size and layout of your home. While it’s difficult to pin down an exact figure, most full house rewires cost between $8000 – $20,000 AUD on average.

Breakdown of Costs

The costs of rewiring a home are generally made up of:

• Wiring – This includes all the internal wiring, new cables, junction boxes and accessories needed for the rewire job. For a standard 3-4 bedroom home wiring usually costs $2000 – $4000.
• New switchboard – Upgrading the switchboard to meet current safety standards makes up a chunk of rewiring costs. A new 16 circuit switchboard installed can be $800 – $1500.
• Lighting – Upgrading all the light fittings including batten holders, pendant lights and new switches/power points comes to around $1000 – $2000 typically.
• Labour – Electrician fees are charged per hour and make up a significant portion of rewiring costs. Expect to pay $100 – $150 per hour, with 25-40 hours needed for a full rewire.
• Minor building work – Patching up walls, installing new cabling ducts and other repairs add $500 – $1000.
• Certificates and approvals – The electrician will need to get council approvals and complete mandatory safety certificates. These approvals cost $150 – $300.

The main costs are the wiring, electrician labour fees, new switchboard and lighting. While individual costs are hard to predict, using rough estimates we can expect a total cost of $10,000 – $15,000 for the full rewiring of an average sized home in Australia.

Range of Rewiring Costs

There are a number of variables that cause the total rewiring costs to fluctuate significantly. Some key factors affecting the overall expense include:

• House size – Larger homes with more rooms, circuits and lights will be more expensive. Rewiring costs increase as more materials and labour time is required.
• Building age – Rewiring old homes with outdated wiring and no recent upgrades is generally more complex and costly. Newer buildings are simpler.
• Access issues – Limited roof space and crawl space under floors makes rewiring tricky and slower for electricians, increasing labour time/fees.
• Extra needs – Upgrading the main power supply cable or installing new appliances like A/C increases materials and costs.
• Location – There are some regional differences in electrician rates although these are minor. Remote locations also increase travel fees.
• Electrician rates – Get several quotes as rates can vary greatly between different electricians and companies.

While an average 3 bedroom suburban home might cost $10,000 – $15,000, the range for a full rewire can be from as little as $5000 for a small apartment up to $25,000+ for a large 2-story mansion. Always get detailed quotes before committing to a rewiring project.

Specific Costs by House Type

To give an idea of rewiring costs for different types of homes in Australia, here are some typical price ranges:

Small 2 bedroom apartment – $5500 – $8000

This covers rewiring a modest 75 sqm apartment. Lower costs due to less rooms and lighting needed.

3 bedroom suburban home – $10,000 – $15,000

Full rewire of a standard 150 sqm suburban home with single-storey. Middle cost range.

4-5 bedroom two-story house – $15,000 – $22,000

Larger two-story 250 sqm homes have higher costs due to more lighting, power points and access issues.

Granny flat – $6000 – $10,000

Rewiring costs for a 50-75 sqm granny flat or studio are lowered for the smaller size/power needs.

Luxury modern mansion – $25,000+

Large multi-million dollar mansions or luxury homes can cost over $25k for a meticulous designer rewiring job.

The type of home is a major factor in the total rewiring costs. Other variables like location and building age also impact the expenses. Always get an on-site quote from electricians before committing to any upgrades.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Rewiring

When budgeting for rewiring an old home in Australia, it’s important to understand the key factors that can impact the total cost of the electrical overhaul project. The exact expenses will depend on variables specific to each house.

Size of the House

The size of the home being rewired is a major cost determinant. Larger houses require more wiring, connections, junction boxes and other electrical components. There are also more lighting circuits and power outlets to install and replace in bigger properties. The electrician will have to do more work across a larger floorplan, increasing the labour time/fees required.

As a rough guide:

• Small 1-2 bedroom units – Lower rewiring costs
• 3-4 bedroom suburban homes – Medium rewiring costs
• 5+ bedroom luxury houses – Higher rewiring costs

In general, larger homes cost significantly more for both materials and professional electrician time needed to complete the rewiring.

Extent of Rewiring Needed

The scope of the electrical overhaul also affects the total expenses. Some homes may only need a partial rewire, such as replacing the switchboard or upgrading a few high-use circuits. Others require a full rewiring job, including new cabling throughout the property. Partial rewires cost less given the limited scale, while full home rewiring is at the top end of the price range.

It’s recommended getting quotes for both partial and full rewiring from electricians. They can then advise on the ideal scope of work needed to make the electrical system completely safe and compliant with Australian standards. This avoids only doing limited upgrades that leave risks.

Hourly Rate of Electricians

A major portion of rewiring costs goes towards professional electrician fees charged by the hour. In Australia, certified electrician rates can vary from $80 – $150 per hour depending on experience, licencing and company size. Get quotes from several firms, as prices can differ significantly.

Established electricians with extensive expertise may charge up to $150 per hour, while independent contractors or newer businesses often have lower rates around $100 per hour. The total number of hours required will depend on the electrician’s speed and the complexity of your home’s rewiring needs.

Always confirm upfront the hourly rate or total quote so there are no surprises. Choosing a suitably qualified electrician with fair pricing can help control the labour costs of your rewiring project.

Preparing for Rewiring

Before starting an electrical rewiring project, it’s important to thoroughly prepare to ensure everything goes smoothly. Proper planning and assessment at the outset will help avoid issues down the track.

Assessing the Need for Rewiring

The first step is evaluating if rewiring is actually required in your home. Some signs that your electrical system needs an overhaul include:

• Frequent trips of safety switches or blown fuses
• Flickering lights or power points sparking
• Cracked and damaged wiring insulation
• Older round pin power outlets
• Lack of safety features like RCDs

If the home is very outdated with unsafe wiring beyond patch repairs, a full rewire is recommended. You can also get a qualified electrician to inspect and advise if rewiring is needed to bring the electrical system up to modern safety standards.

Hiring a Professional Electrician

Electrical rewiring is complex and potentially dangerous work that requires professional expertise. Only use a fully certified electrician licensed in your state. Check they have extensive experience with rewiring projects, and look for recommendations. Get a number of quotes to compare pricing.

Ask plenty of questions to ensure the electrician understands all the details of your rewiring job. Confirm they will handle obtaining any council permits required and complete mandatory electrical safety certificates.

Planning and Preparation

Before starting the physical rewiring work, your electrician will create a detailed plan tailored to your home. This should outline exactly what wiring, circuits and components need replacing.

Some preparation steps you may need to complete include:

• Removing furnishings and items blocking electrical access points
• Purchasing light fittings, power outlets and other materials
• Securing council permits if needed
• Arranging alternative accommodation if required during the rewiring

Proper planning and preparation is time well invested for a smooth rewiring project. Follow your electrician’s recommendations to get your home ready.

The Process of Rewiring

Rewiring a home is a complex project that requires extensive electrical knowledge and work. Here is an overview of the main stages involved in completely rewiring an outdated home to modern standards:

Disconnecting and Isolating Power

The first step is to disconnect the main power supply and isolate all electrical circuits in the home. This involves turning off the main circuit breaker or fuse box switch. Your electrician will then go through the house and turn off all individual circuit breakers.

This power isolation is extremely important for safely conducting the electrical overhaul work. All wiring and components can then be worked on without any risk of electrocution or shocks.

Removing Old Wiring and Fixtures

After power isolation, the dismantling process begins. All outdated and unsafe wiring materials are removed by the electricians, including:

• Old cabling running through roof spaces, under floors and inside walls
• Outdated power outlets and switches
• Lighting fixtures like batten holders

Proper safety procedures must be followed during removal, with hazardous materials disposed of correctly. Wall and ceiling patching may be required after wiring is stripped out.

Installing New Wiring and Outlets

The electrician now begins installing the new electrical system. Following the rewiring plan they have drafted, new cabling is run throughout the house to each room. Wall cavities and roof spaces are accessed to thread wiring to all outlets and junction points.

Lighting circuits are installed, along with new power outlets and switches that feature modern safety mechanisms and enough points for appliances. All work is completed in line with Australian wiring standards and council regulations.

Regular electrical safety checks and visual inspections are conducted to ensure the new system is compliant and ready for reconnection. The step-by-step rewiring process requires extensive labour and electrical skills. Always use qualified electricians to avoid safety risks.

Australian Regulations and Compliance

All electrical rewiring work carried out in Australia must adhere to strict regulations and standards to ensure safety. Failing to get appropriate approvals or follow codes can risk fines, liability issues and potentially even electrocution hazards.

Adherence to Electrical Codes

The wiring rules standard AS/NZS 3000 sets out the regulations electricians must follow when installing or modifying electrical systems. This covers technical details like cable ratings, circuit protection, earthing requirements and isolation procedures. Electricians should have full working knowledge of AS/NZS 3000.

Standards such as AS/CA S009 also specify the safety and technical requirements for new switchboards. Compliance ensures the electrical system is completely safe and designed to last. All rewiring work must adhere to Australian Standards or risk being non-compliant.

Obtaining Necessary Permits

The relevant state or council permits must be obtained before rewiring work can legally commence. Key permits needed are:

• Electrical work permit – For any major electrical rewiring.
• Building permit – If structural modifications are required during the rewiring.
• Planning approval – May be needed in heritage areas or for external changes like installing solar.

Your electrician can advise on the exact permits based on the details of your rewiring project. Allow sufficient time when planning your rewire for securing council or state approvals.

Inspection and Approval

Once rewiring is complete, the work must be inspected and certified by applicable electrical authorities. They will check all wiring and components comply with Australian Standards. This inspection process may occur progressively or just at the completion.

An Electrical Safety Certificate or Certificate of Electrical Compliance will be issued once everything passes inspection. This formally approves the electrical rewiring work. The property is then cleared for the main power to be reconnected. Strictly following all codes and obtaining final project approval ensures maximum safety and compliance with Australian rewiring regulations.