How much does it cost to rewire a house in Sydney?
A full rewire of a typical 3–4 bedroom single-storey Sydney home costs $12,000–$22,000 including a new switchboard. Two-storey or difficult-access homes run $18,000–$35,000. A partial rewire of only the degraded circuits can be $3,500–$8,000.
House rewiring cost by size and access
Sydney, 2026. Access matters more than floor area.
| The job | Price |
|---|---|
| Partial rewire — degraded circuits onlyCommonly lighting circuits where roof heat has done the damage | $3,500 – $8,000 |
| Full rewire, 2 bedroomIncluding a new switchboard | $8,000 – $14,000 |
| Full rewire, 3–4 bedroom single storeyThe common Hills job | $12,000 – $22,000 |
| Full rewire, two storey or poor accessNo roof access above ground-floor ceilings means opening walls | $18,000 – $35,000 |
| Renovation rough-in, per roomWhile walls are open. By far the cheapest way to do it | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| Wiring inspection and written reportEstablish what you actually need before committing | $350 – $650 |
These are indicative market ranges for Sydney in 2026, not a quote. What you pay depends on your switchboard, access and what we find. We confirm a fixed price before starting, and it doesn't move.
Do you actually need one?
The deciding factor is cable type, not the age of the house on its own.
Rubber-insulated (VIR) or cloth-covered, generally pre-1960: yes. Rubber perishes, goes brittle and eventually falls off the conductor. It can't be repaired, and once it's in one part of the house it's usually throughout.
Early black rubber TPS, 1960s–70s: sometimes, and often partially. It goes brittle with heat, so the circuits in the roof space fail long before the ones in the walls. This is where a partial rewire is frequently the honest answer.
Modern PVC TPS, 1980s onward: generally sound. Houses of this era usually need switchboard and circuit work — not enough circuits for modern load — rather than rewiring.
Around our patch, pre-1960 stock concentrates in Hornsby, Pennant Hills, Thornleigh and Wahroonga, so rewires come up there far more than in Kellyville or Rouse Hill.
Why rewiring quotes vary so much
Access, above everything. A single-storey home with a walkable roof space lets most cable be run from above with minimal wall damage. A two-storey home has no access above the ground-floor ceilings, so cables have to come through walls, which means opening them and patching afterwards. Same floor area, dramatically different job.
Whether a switchboard is included. Some quotes exclude it. Rewiring to a board that can't provide proper RCD protection is spending most of the money and leaving the important part undone — check every quote for this.
Whether patching is included. Some electricians leave holes for your plasterer. Neither approach is wrong, but you need to know which you're comparing.
Full versus partial. A quote for a full rewire and a quote for the circuits that are actually degraded are not the same job. Ask what was tested.
Rewiring cost questions
How much does it cost to rewire a 3 bedroom house in Sydney?
$12,000–$22,000 for a typical single-storey home including a new switchboard. Two-storey or difficult-access homes are $18,000–$35,000. Get an inspection first — a partial rewire may be all you need, at $3,500–$8,000.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Cable type decides it. Rubber-insulated or cloth-covered wiring, generally pre-1960, needs replacing. Early black rubber TPS may need partial replacement where roof heat has degraded it. Modern PVC usually doesn't need rewiring at all.
Can I rewire a house in stages?
Yes, and if you're living there it's usually the right approach. We work area by area so there's always a functioning part of the house. It adds a little to total attendance and is generally worth it.
Does rewiring include a new switchboard?
It should, and our figures assume it. Check every quote — some exclude it, and rewiring to an inadequate board undoes much of the point.
Will my walls be damaged?
Some access is unavoidable. In single-storey homes with a walkable roof space, far less than people expect. Two-storey homes need more. Check whether patching is included in each quote.
When's the cheapest time to rewire?
During a renovation while walls are already open — $1,200–$3,000 per room at rough-in versus many times that retrofitted. If you're renovating an older home, get the wiring assessed before the plasterer starts.
Should I get a quote or an inspection first?
An inspection. A quote assumes a scope; an inspection tells you what the scope should be. It's $350–$650 and it can save you from paying for a full rewire you don't need.
What customers say
Jason solved a really complex problem for our house with excellent professionalism and workmanship. Highly recommend, would def work with him again. On time delivery and within budget.
Jason onsite quickly and completed the work on the spot, giving us a good price and was very polite. Would highly recommend.
Fantastic service! Friendly, efficient and well priced. Highly recommend. Thank you for swiftly fixing our switches.
These are Google reviews for our team at Cync Electrical & Automation — the licensed contractor behind Hills Electrician. 5.0 from 20 reviews. — see the profile
Been told your house needs rewiring?
Get it tested before you commit to that number. Call 0422 253 379.
See rewiring services