Renewing electrical installations – costs in older buildings in 2026

Renewing the electrical installation in an older building costs between 80 and 130 euros per square metre of living space in 2026, including materials and labour. For an 80-sqm period flat, that means 6.400 to 10.400 euros. The price range depends on whether only the distribution board and wiring are replaced or whether sub-distribution, switches, sockets and lighting connections are also completely redesigned.

Key points at a glance

• 80-sqm period flat: 6.400–10.400 € for a complete electrical renewal — subsequent plastering and decorating costs are additional
• Outdated aluminium wiring, missing RCDs and too few circuits: common in older buildings built before 1970
• Electrician's hourly rate in 2026: 50–65 €/h — labour accounts for 50–60 % of total costs
• BAFA does not directly fund electrical installations, but supports them as part of a comprehensive energy efficiency renovation through an individual renovation roadmap (iSFP)

Renewing electrical installations is the least visible of all expensive trades. You see tiles. You feel a new floor. New wiring behind the plaster? Nothing. Yet it is one of the most important investments: outdated electrics are a safety risk and, according to fire statistics, one of the most common technical causes of fires in German residential buildings.¹

When do electrics need replacing?

There is no legal requirement to renew an existing electrical installation as long as it is safe. In practice, however, there are clear reasons to do so:

• Wiring from the 1960s or earlier: Aluminium wiring, fabric insulation, missing protective earth conductors. These installations no longer meet current standards (DIN 18015, VDE 0100).²
• Too few circuits: Period flats often have only 2 to 3 circuits for the entire flat. Modern requirements (washing machine, dishwasher, electric cooker, home office) call for 8 to 12 circuits.
• Missing RCD: Buildings constructed before 1984 often have no residual current device at all. Since 2009, one has been mandatory for all socket circuits.
• Renovation involving other trades: When walls are opened up (bathroom, kitchen, heating), it makes sense to do the electrics at the same time. Cutting chases afterwards costs considerably more.

How much does a new electrical installation in an older building cost?

The table below shows costs by scope of work. All prices are net, including materials and labour, excluding decorating work (filling chases with plaster).

Worked example: 80-sqm period flat

Decorating after chasing is almost always forgotten — technically, it is not on the electrical bill, but someone has to do it. This costs 600 to 1.200 euros. If you cannot find it in the quote, expect to see it as an additional charge.

Why electrics cost so much more in older buildings

Why does the same installation cost 40 to 60 per cent more in an older building than a new build? Four reasons.

1. Cutting wall chases

In older buildings, wiring must be installed beneath the plaster — meaning cutting chases, laying cables, plastering, waiting for it to dry and only then decorating. This accounts for 20 to 30 per cent of total costs. In a new build, wiring is laid before plastering. No chase, no problem.

2. Surveying without drawings

Up-to-date installation drawings rarely exist in older buildings. The electrician has to trace each circuit individually before disconnecting even a single cable. Two to four hours just for the initial survey — at an hourly rate of 50 to 65 euros, that means 100 to 260 euros that hardly anyone lists in the quote.

3. Difficult building fabric

Clay or brick walls, timber joist floors, decorative plaster ceilings, timber framing. Each construction type requires different tools and often surface-mounted solutions, which cost more in older buildings than in solid construction.

4. Sequencing with other trades

If the bathroom, kitchen or heating is being renovated at the same time, the electrical work must be coordinated. Walls cannot be closed up until all trades have finished. If the plumber arrives after the electrician, chases are opened up again. This happens more often than you might think — and always ends up as an additional charge.

What a complete electrician's quote must include

Many quotes sound cheap — until you ask exactly what is included. These points should be explicitly listed:

• Survey and design: Recording the existing condition, designing the new installation
• Removal: Removing old wiring, back boxes, switches and distribution boards
• Distribution board: New meter cabinet with RCDs, miniature circuit breakers and spare spaces
• Cable installation: Number of circuits, cable type (NYM-J), conductor cross-section
• Accessories and outlets: Sockets, switches, ceiling lighting points, special connections (cooker, instantaneous water heater)
• Network and multimedia: CAT-7 cables, TV sockets, empty conduits (if wanted)
• Testing and documentation: Initial inspection under VDE, test report, installation drawing

Frequently missing items:

• Plastering over chases (often done by the decorator rather than the electrician, but someone has to do it)
• Openings and core drilling (in concrete walls)
• Fire stopping (where services penetrate fire walls)
• Temporary power supply during the work
• Disposal of old materials

Provider comparison: professional review

Frequently asked questions about electrics in older buildings

How much does a new electrical installation cost per sqm in an older building?

Between 80 and 130 euros per square metre of living space, including materials and labour. For an 80-sqm flat, that is 6.400 to 10.400 euros. Additional costs include plastering over chases (600 to 1.200 euros) and any special connections.

Do I have to replace the electrics during a renovation?

There is no legal requirement to renew an existing installation. However, if it does not meet current safety standards (missing RCD protection, aluminium wiring, missing protective earth conductors), renewal is recommended. During a strip-out renovation, it is almost always worthwhile because the walls are being opened up anyway.

Can I do parts of the electrical work myself?

You can cut chases and plaster them over yourself. All work on the actual electrical installation (laying cables, making connections, installing distribution boards) may only be performed by registered electrical contractors. This is legally required and relevant to liability.

How long does electrical renewal take in an older building?

Allow 5 to 8 working days for an 80-sqm flat. If other trades are renovating at the same time, waiting between trades can extend the duration to 2 to 3 weeks.

Further guides

• Renovation costs 2026 – Cost overview by trade for all types of renovation
• Reviewing a construction quote – 7-point checklist and comparison of review options
• Avoiding variation costs – The 7 most common variation traps and how to protect yourself

Sources

1. Institute for Loss Prevention and Loss Research (IFS): fire cause statistics. Electricity is the most common technical cause of fires in Germany, at around 30 %.
2. DIN 18015-2: electrical installations in residential buildings. Minimum provision.