Written by AJ Electrician Near Me | Published on June 2025
Home rewiring takes anywhere from 3 to 10 days for most residential properties in Sydney and NSW. Smaller homes or units can be completed in as little as 2 to 3 days, while large or older homes with complex layouts may take up to 2 weeks.
This article covers what affects the rewiring timeline, what the process looks like day by day, how home size and age factor in, and what you can do to keep the job running on schedule.
Understand What Home Rewiring Actually Involves
Rewiring a home means replacing the existing electrical wiring throughout the property. This includes cables in walls and ceilings, switchboard upgrades, new power points, light fittings, and safety switches.
It is not a simple repair job. Electricians need to access wall cavities, ceiling spaces, and sometimes under-floor areas to run new cable. In older Sydney homes, this often means working around original plaster walls or heritage-listed materials.
The scope of work directly determines how long the job takes. A full rewire covers every circuit in the home. A partial rewire targets specific areas like a kitchen or an old section of wiring. Partial rewires are faster but may still require switchboard work.
NSW regulations require all rewiring work to comply with AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules and be completed by a licensed electrician. The work also requires inspection and a Certificate of Compliance on completion.
Compare Rewiring Timelines by Home Size
The biggest factor in how long home rewiring takes is the size of your property. More rooms mean more circuits, more cable runs, and more time spent in wall cavities.
| Home Size | Estimated Rewiring Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bedroom unit or apartment | 2 to 3 days | Fewer circuits, compact layout |
| 3 bedroom house | 3 to 5 days | Most common in Sydney suburbs |
| 4 bedroom house | 5 to 7 days | Includes garage and outdoor circuits |
| 5+ bedroom or double storey | 7 to 10 days | More complex cable routing required |
| Large heritage or period home | 10 to 14 days | Extra care needed with older materials |
These are working day estimates assuming a standard crew. Public holidays, material delays, or access issues can extend timelines slightly.
If you are unsure which category your home falls into, the team at AJ Electrician Near Me can assess your property and give you a realistic schedule before any work starts.
Identify the Key Factors That Affect the Timeline
Beyond home size, several other factors can speed up or slow down a rewiring job. Understanding these helps you plan ahead and avoid surprises.
- Age of the property: Homes built before 1980 in Sydney often have older wiring types like single-strand aluminium or rubber-sheathed cable. These require more careful removal and can reveal additional issues behind walls.
- Wall construction type: Brick cavity walls are more difficult to run cable through than timber-frame homes. Double brick homes common in Western Sydney suburbs take longer to rewire.
- Access to ceiling and roof space: Good roof access speeds things up significantly. Flat roofs or tightly packed insulation can slow cable runs.
- Switchboard condition: If the switchboard also needs upgrading to a modern safety switch panel, this adds half a day to a full day to the job.
- Number of circuits and power points: Adding new circuits or upgrading to more power points increases the total scope of work.
- Whether the home is occupied: If you are living in the property during the rewire, the electricians need to work around your schedule. This can extend the job by one to two days.
- Council or strata requirements: In apartment buildings or heritage-listed areas in inner Sydney, additional approvals may be needed before work begins.
Discussing these factors upfront with your electrician ensures the quote and timeline you receive reflects the real scope of your job.
Walk Through What Happens Each Day of a Rewire
Knowing what to expect during the rewiring process helps you prepare your home and understand why certain stages take the time they do.
Day 1: The crew isolates power and begins stripping out old wiring. They open up access points in walls and ceilings. The switchboard is de-energised and assessed. This is often the noisiest and most disruptive day.
Days 2 to 4: New cable runs are pulled through walls, ceilings, and floor spaces. Power points, light switches, and circuit terminations are roughed in. This is methodical work that cannot be rushed without risking errors.
Day 5 onwards (larger homes): Final connections are made at the switchboard. New safety switches and circuit breakers are installed. All outlets and fittings are tested individually.
Final day: A full test and inspection is carried out. The licensed electrician issues a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) as required under NSW Fair Trading regulations. Power is restored and you are walked through the new system.
AJ Electrician Near Me keeps clients informed at each stage so there are no surprises about when power will be restored or when access to specific rooms is needed.
Review Rewiring Costs Alongside the Timeline in NSW
Cost and time are closely linked for rewiring jobs. Longer jobs cost more, but rushing a rewire to cut time is never worth the risk. Here is a general breakdown of what Sydney and NSW homeowners typically pay.
| Home Size | Estimated Cost Range (AUD) | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bedroom unit | $3,000 to $6,000 | 2 to 3 days |
| 3 bedroom house | $6,000 to $10,000 | 3 to 5 days |
| 4 bedroom house | $10,000 to $15,000 | 5 to 7 days |
| 5+ bedroom or heritage home | $15,000 to $25,000+ | 7 to 14 days |
These figures include labour, materials, and switchboard upgrades. They do not include patching and repainting walls after cable work, which is usually handled by a separate tradesperson.
In Sydney, electrician labour rates typically sit between $90 and $130 per hour. Regional NSW towns may be slightly lower, but travel costs can offset that difference for remote properties.
Always get a fixed-price quote for rewiring rather than an hourly estimate. This protects you if the job runs longer than expected due to hidden issues inside the walls.
Spot the Signs That Your Sydney Home Needs Rewiring Now
Not sure if your home actually needs a full rewire? There are clear warning signs that indicate aging or unsafe wiring. Acting early helps avoid emergency situations and keeps your family safe.
- Lights flickering or dimming randomly, especially when appliances are switched on
- Circuit breakers tripping frequently without an obvious cause
- Burn marks, scorch marks, or a burning smell near power points or the switchboard
- Power points or light switches that feel warm to the touch
- An older switchboard with ceramic fuses rather than modern safety switches
- Wiring that is more than 25 to 30 years old and has never been inspected
- You are renovating or adding a major appliance like a new air conditioner, EV charger, or solar system
Many homes in older Sydney suburbs like Parramatta, Leichhardt, Marrickville, and the Hills District still have original wiring from the 1960s and 1970s. These homes are prime candidates for a full rewire.
If you notice any of these signs, contact a licensed electrician before the situation becomes an emergency. AJ Electrician Near Me offers electrical safety inspections across Sydney and all of NSW to identify exactly what your home needs.
Plan Ahead to Keep Your Rewiring Project on Schedule
A rewiring job goes smoother when homeowners are prepared. A few simple steps on your end can prevent delays and help the crew work efficiently.
- Clear access to walls and ceiling hatches: Move furniture away from walls and ensure roof hatch access is unobstructed before the crew arrives.
- Arrange temporary accommodation if needed: For large jobs or homes with young children, staying elsewhere for a few days can be easier and keeps the crew working without interruption.
- Confirm the switchboard location and meter box access: Make sure the electrician can access the main switchboard and that any locked meter boxes have keys available.
- Discuss your plans for the property: If you are planning renovations, an extension, or solar panels soon, tell your electrician now. This lets them plan cable runs that accommodate future work and saves you cost later.
- Book the job during dry weather: In Sydney, wet weather can affect roof space access and outdoor work. Scheduling during spring or summer reduces the chance of weather delays.
Good preparation is one of the most effective things a homeowner can do to keep a rewiring project running on time and within budget.
FAQs on How Long Does Home Rewiring Take
Can I stay in my home while it is being rewired?
Yes, in many cases you can stay in the home during a rewire. However, expect power to be off for most of each working day. Some homeowners choose to stay elsewhere for larger jobs, especially with young children or pets.
Does rewiring cause a lot of damage to walls?
Some access holes are needed to run new cables through walls and ceilings. A skilled crew minimises the number of cuts. Patching and repainting is typically arranged separately after the electrical work is signed off.
Do I need council approval for home rewiring in NSW?
Standard rewiring does not require council approval in NSW. However, the work must be done by a licensed electrician and a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work must be issued. For heritage-listed properties, additional checks may apply.
How long does a switchboard upgrade take on its own?
A switchboard upgrade without full rewiring typically takes 4 to 8 hours in a single day. This includes installing new safety switches, circuit breakers, and a modern consumer mains unit compliant with Australian standards.
Will my home insurance be affected by old wiring?
Yes, some insurers in Australia will limit cover or increase premiums for homes with wiring older than 25 to 30 years. Getting a rewire can actually reduce your insurance risk profile and may lower your premium. Check with your insurer directly.
How do I know if I need a partial or full rewire?
A licensed electrician can assess your existing wiring and advise which approach is appropriate. Partial rewires suit homes where only one section is damaged or outdated. Full rewires are recommended when wiring throughout the home is aging or unsafe.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
Home rewiring takes 3 to 10 days for most Sydney and NSW properties, depending on size, age, and complexity. Understanding the timeline helps you plan around the disruption and make confident decisions about your home’s electrical safety.
Do not put off rewiring if your home is showing warning signs. Aging wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in Australia, and a timely rewire protects your property, your family, and your insurance cover.
Contact AJ Electrician Near Me today to book an inspection or request a fixed-price rewiring quote. Call us on 1300 617 337 and speak with a licensed electrician who knows Sydney and NSW homes inside out.
