Written by H. Irwin Electrical | Published on June 2025
Rewiring a house in Adelaide typically costs between $8,000 and $20,000 for a standard 3-4 bedroom home, though smaller homes can come in under $6,000 and larger or older properties can exceed $25,000. This guide covers what drives the cost to rewire a house in Adelaide, how to compare quotes, and what local homeowners in suburbs like Glenelg, Unley, and North Adelaide should expect.
Understand What Rewiring a House Actually Involves
Rewiring is not just swapping out a few power points. It means replacing the electrical wiring throughout your entire home, from the switchboard to every circuit, outlet, light fitting, and appliance connection.
A full rewire typically includes removing old wiring, running new cables through walls and ceilings, installing a new switchboard, and fitting updated power points and light switches throughout the home.
In older Adelaide suburbs like Hyde Park, Prospect, and Glandore, many homes still have wiring installed in the 1960s and 1970s. That old wiring can be brittle, undersized, or use outdated materials like rubber-sheathed cable, all of which create fire and safety risks.
A rewire also brings your home up to current AS/NZS 3000 wiring standards, which is required for insurance purposes and before selling in South Australia.
See a Full Cost Breakdown for Adelaide Rewiring Jobs
Costs vary based on home size, the condition of existing wiring, wall materials, and how accessible the ceiling and subfloor spaces are. Here is a general pricing guide for Adelaide homes in 2025.
| Home Size | Estimated Cost Range | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bedroom unit or cottage | $4,500 – $8,000 | 1-2 days |
| 3 bedroom home | $8,000 – $13,000 | 2-3 days |
| 4 bedroom home | $12,000 – $18,000 | 3-4 days |
| 5+ bedroom or double storey | $18,000 – $28,000+ | 4-6 days |
| Heritage or sandstone home | $15,000 – $30,000+ | Varies significantly |
These are indicative ranges only. Every home is different, and the only way to get an accurate figure is a site inspection from a licensed electrician. H. Irwin Electrical offers obligation-free quotes for homeowners across Adelaide.
Know the Factors That Affect Your Rewiring Quote
Several variables can push your quote higher or lower. Understanding these before you call an electrician helps you have a more informed conversation and avoid surprises.
- Age of the home: Pre-1980s homes often have aluminum or rubber-insulated wiring that requires full replacement rather than partial upgrades.
- Wall construction: Brick veneer and double brick homes (common in Beverley, Richmond, and Fulham) are harder to run cables through, increasing labour time.
- Roof and subfloor access: Good access means faster work. Homes with concrete slabs or low-pitch roofs cost more in labour.
- Number of circuits and outlets: More power points, light circuits, and dedicated appliance circuits mean more materials and time.
- Switchboard upgrade: Most rewires include a new switchboard. Adding safety switches, circuit breakers, and extra capacity adds $600 to $2,000 depending on size.
- Solar or EV infrastructure: If you want EV charging circuits or solar-ready wiring added during the rewire, this is the most cost-effective time to do it.
- Plastering and patching: Running cables may require cutting into walls. Some electricians include basic patching, others do not. Confirm this upfront.
If you are in a heritage-listed property in areas like North Adelaide or Hyde Park, expect additional complexity. Heritage homes often have restrictions on how walls can be modified, which affects cable routing methods and overall cost.
Compare Partial vs Full Rewire Costs in Adelaide
Not every situation calls for a complete rewire. Sometimes a partial rewire or targeted upgrade is the right approach. Here is how the two options compare.
| Type of Work | What It Covers | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Full rewire | All circuits, outlets, lights, switchboard | $8,000 – $28,000+ |
| Partial rewire | Specific circuits or rooms only | $1,500 – $6,000 |
| Switchboard upgrade only | New board, safety switches, breakers | $800 – $2,500 |
| Safety switch installation | RCD protection added to existing board | $200 – $500 |
| Power point additions | Extra GPOs added to existing circuits | $150 – $300 per point |
A partial rewire can make sense if only part of your home has faulty wiring or if you are renovating a single area. However, if your wiring is 40 or more years old throughout the entire home, a full rewire is usually more cost-effective long term.
H. Irwin Electrical can inspect your existing wiring and give you an honest recommendation on whether a partial or full rewire is the better option for your situation.
Recognise the Signs Your Adelaide Home Needs Rewiring
Many homeowners are unsure whether their home actually needs rewiring. There are clear warning signs that indicate your electrical system is no longer safe or reliable.
- Lights flicker or dim when appliances are switched on
- Frequent tripping of circuit breakers or fuses
- Burning smell or discolouration around power points or switches
- Power points feel warm to the touch
- Old-style ceramic fuses still in the switchboard
- No safety switches installed on circuits
- Wiring has not been updated since the home was built in the 1970s or earlier
- You are planning a major renovation and need updated capacity
Homes in Somerton Park, West Beach, and Henley Beach near the coast also face additional wear from salt air, which can corrode older wiring terminations and switchboard components faster than inland suburbs.
If you notice any of these signs, book an inspection sooner rather than later. Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in South Australia.
Understand How Adelaide Electricians Price Their Work
Most licensed electricians in Adelaide charge an hourly rate plus materials. For rewiring jobs, many electricians will provide a fixed-price quote after an inspection, which gives you certainty on total cost.
Typical Adelaide electrician hourly rates in 2025 range from $90 to $150 per hour depending on experience, licensing level, and whether a callout fee applies. A full rewire is almost always quoted as a fixed job price rather than per hour.
Materials typically account for 30 to 50 percent of the total rewiring cost. This includes TPS cable, conduit, switchboard components, power points, light switches, and safety switches. Cable pricing has risen over the past two years due to supply chain changes, so quotes from 2022 or 2023 may no longer reflect current pricing.
Always request a written, itemised quote. This protects you if any disputes arise and makes it easier to compare multiple quotes fairly. H. Irwin Electrical provides clear written quotes for all rewiring work across Adelaide suburbs including Kurralta Park, Plympton, Marion, and Glandore.
FAQs on Cost to Rewire a House in Adelaide
How long does it take to rewire a house in Adelaide?
Most 3-4 bedroom homes take between 2 and 4 days to rewire, depending on home size, wall construction, and roof access. Heritage homes or double storey properties may take longer. Your electrician should give you a realistic timeframe as part of the written quote.
Do I need to move out during a rewire?
In many cases you can stay in the home during a rewire, though there will be periods without power to parts of the house. Your electrician will work in sections to minimise disruption. For full rewires over multiple days, some homeowners prefer to stay elsewhere for comfort, but it is not always necessary.
Does rewiring a house add value in Adelaide?
Yes. Updated wiring is a selling point and often required by buyers during building inspections. Real estate agents in Adelaide report that outdated wiring or failed electrical inspections can delay or derail sales. A rewired home is also cheaper to insure and safer to live in.
Is a permit required to rewire a house in South Australia?
Yes. All electrical work in South Australia must be carried out by a licensed electrician and a Certificate of Compliance must be issued on completion. This certificate confirms the work meets AS/NZS 3000 wiring standards and is required by your insurer and SAPN (SA Power Networks).
Can I get a quote without the electrician visiting my home?
Rough estimates are possible over the phone, but an accurate quote for rewiring always requires a site inspection. The condition of existing wiring, wall construction, and roof access cannot be assessed remotely. Book an inspection early to avoid delays in your renovation or sale timeline.
What is the difference between rewiring and a switchboard upgrade?
A switchboard upgrade replaces the distribution board and adds modern safety switches and circuit breakers, but leaves the existing wiring in place. A rewire replaces the cables themselves. If your wiring is old, an upgrade alone will not fix the underlying safety issue, and a full or partial rewire will be needed.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
The cost to rewire a house in Adelaide ranges from around $4,500 for a small unit up to $28,000 or more for a large or heritage property. The biggest factors are home size, wall construction, access, and the scope of work involved.
Getting a written, site-based quote is the only reliable way to know your actual cost. H. Irwin Electrical is a licensed Adelaide electrician based in Glenelg and Novar Gardens, servicing suburbs across the greater Adelaide area including Unley, Marion, Henley Beach, North Adelaide, and beyond.
Call H. Irwin Electrical on 0432 270 757 to book your obligation-free inspection and get a clear, honest quote for rewiring your home.
