Electrical Safety

Home Rewiring
Signs, Cost & What to Expect

A significant number of homes across the Sunshine Coast are 30 to 50 years old or more, with original wiring that may no longer meet current Australian electrical standards. If your property falls into that age bracket, understanding the signs, process, and cost factors of a home rewire is essential for the safety of your household.

Warning Signs Your Home May Need Rewiring

Electrical wiring does not last forever. Over time, insulation degrades, connections loosen, and the demands placed on older circuits exceed what they were originally designed to handle. The following indicators suggest your home's wiring may need professional assessment:

  • Flickering or dimming lights — intermittent flickering that is not isolated to a single fitting often points to loose connections or deteriorating wiring within the circuit
  • Frequently tripping circuit breakers — breakers that trip regularly indicate circuits that are overloaded or have developed faults in the wiring
  • Burning smell or scorch marks — any smell of burning near outlets, switches, or the switchboard requires immediate investigation by a licensed electrician
  • Discoloured or warm power outlets — yellowing, browning, or outlets that are warm to the touch indicate overheating connections behind the wall
  • Aluminium wiring — homes built during the 1960s and 1970s may contain aluminium wiring, which is more prone to overheating at connection points than copper and is considered a higher risk
  • No safety switches (RCDs) — if your switchboard does not have residual current devices installed, the electrical system is not providing the level of personal protection required by current standards
  • Old ceramic fuses — a switchboard that still uses rewirable ceramic fuses rather than modern circuit breakers is a clear indicator that the entire electrical system is due for an upgrade
  • Two-prong (ungrounded) power outlets — outlets without an earth pin indicate the circuits lack an earth conductor, which is a fundamental safety requirement in modern installations

Any one of these signs warrants a professional inspection. Multiple signs occurring together should be treated as a priority.

How Old Is Too Old?

Electrical wiring has a general service life of approximately 25 to 40 years, depending on the materials used, the quality of the original installation, and the environmental conditions within the property. Wiring in roof spaces and subfloors — where temperature extremes and moisture are more common — tends to deteriorate faster than wiring in protected wall cavities.

As a general guide:

  • Homes built before 1970 — likely to have rubber-insulated or cotton-sheathed wiring (TRS), which becomes brittle and hazardous with age. These properties almost certainly require a full rewire.
  • Homes built in the 1970s and 1980s — may contain early PVC wiring or aluminium wiring. The condition varies, but many of these installations are now reaching or exceeding their expected lifespan.
  • Homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s — generally have PVC-insulated wiring that may still be serviceable, but the switchboard and circuit configuration may not meet current standards or modern electrical demands.

The age of your home is a useful starting point, but the actual condition of the wiring is what matters. A thorough inspection by a licensed electrician will determine whether rewiring is necessary.

What Does a Home Rewire Actually Involve?

A full home rewire is a structured process. Understanding the steps involved helps set realistic expectations for the scope of work and the disruption to your household.

  1. Assessment and inspection — the team inspects the existing wiring, switchboard, outlets, and circuits throughout the property. This determines the scope of work required and identifies any specific concerns such as asbestos, limited access, or structural considerations.
  2. Design and planning — a rewiring plan is developed based on the layout of the home, the number and location of circuits, outlet and switch positions, and any changes you want to make (additional power points, new lighting circuits, dedicated circuits for air conditioning or appliances).
  3. Isolation and removal of old wiring — the existing wiring is de-energised and removed where accessible. In some cases, old wiring is left in place and abandoned if removal would cause unnecessary damage to walls or ceilings.
  4. Running new cables — new wiring is run through the roof space, wall cavities, and subfloor (or through conduit in slab-on-ground construction). This is the most labour-intensive stage of the project.
  5. New switchboard — a modern switchboard is installed with circuit breakers, safety switches (RCDs), and surge protection. The switchboard is the central point of the entire electrical system and is sized to accommodate the home's current and future requirements.
  6. New outlets, switches, and fittings — all power points, light switches, and light fittings are replaced or upgraded to meet current standards and your requirements.
  7. Testing and certification — every circuit is tested to verify correct installation, insulation resistance, earth continuity, and RCD operation. A certificate of compliance is issued upon completion.
  8. Making good — any holes, channels, or access points created during the rewire are patched and made ready for painting. The extent of making good depends on the construction type and the access methods used.

Partial Rewire vs Full Rewire

Not every property requires a complete rewire. In some cases, a partial rewire — replacing wiring in specific areas or circuits while retaining serviceable wiring elsewhere — is a practical and cost-effective approach.

A partial rewire may be appropriate when:

  • Only certain circuits or areas of the home have degraded wiring
  • A renovation or extension is being completed and the existing wiring in unaffected areas is in good condition
  • The switchboard needs upgrading but the circuit wiring is still serviceable

A full rewire is recommended when:

  • The wiring throughout the property is of the same age and type, and has reached end of life
  • The property has rubber or cotton-sheathed wiring (TRS) that is brittle and deteriorating
  • Aluminium wiring is present throughout the home
  • The electrical system has no earth conductor and no safety switches
  • Multiple circuits show signs of failure or degradation

The team will assess your property and recommend the most appropriate scope of work. There is no benefit in replacing wiring that is still in good condition, and we will be straightforward about what is and is not necessary.

How Long Does a Home Rewire Take?

The duration of a rewire depends on the size and complexity of the property, the construction type, and the scope of work involved. As a general guide:

  • Small home or unit (2 bedroom) — typically 3 to 5 days
  • Standard 3-bedroom home — typically 5 to 7 days
  • Larger 4 to 5-bedroom home — typically 7 to 10 days
  • Two-storey homes or complex layouts — may require additional time depending on access

These timeframes include the electrical work and testing but may not include making good (patching and plastering), which is sometimes completed as a separate stage. The team will provide a clear timeline during the quoting process so you can plan accordingly.

Cost Factors for a Home Rewire

The cost of rewiring a home varies significantly based on a number of factors specific to each property. Rather than providing generic price ranges that may not reflect your situation, we encourage a proper on-site assessment and detailed quote. The key factors that influence cost include:

  • Size of the home — the total floor area and number of rooms directly affect the amount of cable, the number of circuits, and the labour hours required
  • Number of storeys — single-storey homes with accessible roof spaces and subfloors are more straightforward than double-storey properties where cable runs between levels require additional access methods
  • Construction type — timber-framed homes with accessible wall cavities are generally easier to rewire than brick veneer or solid masonry construction. Slab-on-ground construction eliminates subfloor access, which can increase the complexity of running cables to ground-floor outlets
  • Number of circuits — the total number of lighting circuits, power circuits, and dedicated circuits (air conditioning, hot water, oven, pool equipment) determines the volume of cable and the switchboard requirements
  • Switchboard upgrade — most rewires include a new switchboard. The size and specification of the switchboard depend on the number of circuits and the level of protection required
  • Accessibility — properties with limited roof space, no subfloor, or restricted wall cavities require more time and specialised methods to run new cables
  • Making good — the cost of patching, plastering, and preparing walls and ceilings for repainting can vary depending on how much surface work was required to complete the rewire
  • Additional upgrades — if you are adding new circuits, additional power points, outdoor lighting, data cabling, or other enhancements as part of the rewire, these will factor into the overall cost

Every property is different, and an accurate quote requires an on-site inspection. Call Joel on 0418 416 481 to arrange a rewiring assessment — we will inspect the property, explain what is required, and provide a detailed, itemised quote with no obligation.

Do You Need to Move Out During a Rewire?

In most cases, you do not need to vacate your home during a rewire. The work is typically completed one area or circuit at a time, so power is maintained to most of the property throughout the process. There will be periods when specific circuits are de-energised, and there will be some disruption — dust, noise, and access to certain rooms — but the team works to minimise the impact on your daily routine.

For larger or more complex rewires, there may be a brief period (usually a matter of hours) when the entire property needs to be without power, particularly during the switchboard changeover. The team will advise you in advance so you can plan around it.

If you have specific concerns — such as medical equipment that requires continuous power, or young children — let us know during the quoting stage and we will plan the work sequence accordingly.

The Compliance Side

All electrical work in Queensland must be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor and must comply with the Wiring Rules (AS/NZS 3000) and Queensland electrical safety legislation. A home rewire is prescribed electrical work, which means:

  • The work must be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed electrician
  • A certificate of compliance must be issued upon completion, documenting the work performed and confirming it meets the required standards
  • The certificate is lodged with the Electrical Safety Office (ESO) and a copy is provided to the property owner
  • In some cases, an ESO inspection may be triggered, particularly for larger rewiring projects

This compliance framework exists to protect homeowners and ensure all electrical work meets the safety standards required in Queensland. When you engage a licensed electrical contractor, the certification and lodgement process is handled as a standard part of the project.

Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspections

If you are purchasing a property — particularly an older home — a pre-purchase electrical inspection is one of the most valuable assessments you can arrange before settlement. It identifies the condition of the wiring, the state of the switchboard, and any safety concerns that may require attention.

We have written a detailed guide on this topic. Read more: Pre-Purchase Electrical Inspections — What to Check Before You Buy.

Get a Rewiring Assessment

If your home is showing any of the warning signs described above, or if your property is more than 25 years old and has never had the wiring inspected, the most sensible step is a professional assessment. Call Joel on 0418 416 481 to arrange an inspection. The team will assess your wiring, explain the findings clearly, and provide a detailed quote if work is required.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my home has aluminium wiring?

Aluminium wiring was commonly used in Australian homes during the 1960s and 1970s as a lower-cost alternative to copper. It is not always easy to identify without removing an outlet cover or inspecting the switchboard. A licensed electrician can confirm the wiring type during a standard inspection. If aluminium wiring is present, it does not automatically mean a full rewire is required — but the connections need to be assessed and may require remediation to reduce the risk of overheating.

Can I rewire my home in stages?

Yes. If the budget or circumstances do not allow for a full rewire in a single project, a staged approach can work well. The most critical areas — typically the switchboard upgrade and the circuits presenting the highest risk — are addressed first, with remaining circuits completed in subsequent stages. The team can design a staged plan that maintains safety at every phase while spreading the investment over time.

Will a rewire increase the value of my property?

A modern electrical system with a compliant switchboard, safety switches, and certified wiring is a significant asset when selling a property. Buyers and building inspectors routinely flag outdated wiring as a concern, and properties with old electrical systems can face reduced offers or conditional contracts. While the primary reason for rewiring should always be safety, the investment typically contributes positively to the overall value and saleability of the home.