Renovating a house today in Spain is much more expensive than a decade ago, and electrical installation has become one of the clearest examples. What could previously be resolved for around 2,000 euros now easily exceeds 6,000, according to professionals in the sector, in a context marked by rising prices and labor shortage.
In general terms, redoing the electrical installation currently costs between 20 and 25 euros per square meter. This translates into very different budgets depending on the size of the home; from around 2,200 euros in simpler cases to around 9,000 in more complete interventions. For example, in an average apartment, between 70 and 100 square meters, the usual thing is that the bill is between 3,600 and 6,500 euros if you have to change the panel, wiring and sockets, according to what is stated. ‘Wizards’.
Why the price of electrical installation has skyrocketed
But behind this rise there are several factors. On the one hand, materials (especially those related to copper), which have been becoming more expensive for some time. On the other hand, there are fewer and fewer professionals in trades such as electricians, which causes prices to rise. Today, labor is usually between 30 and 40 euros per hour, although it can vary quite a bit.
The type of reform also influences. It does not cost the same to update an existing installation as it does to make it from scratch or adapt it to an old home. In these cases, where the entire system often has to be redone to comply with current regulations, the budget can easily increase by around 1,000 euros more.
To this we must add the cost of the so-called electrical bulletin (Electrical Installation Certificate), a mandatory document that certifies that everything is in order and which usually costs around 150 euros.
Signs that it is time to renew the electrical installation
Beyond the price, experts insist that there are clear signs that indicate when it is time to renew. In cases of frequent automatic trips, when the plugs become hot, if there is no ground connection or installations that are more than 20 or 30 years old. In these situations, it is not just a matter of comfort, but of safety.
To adjust the budget, professionals also recommend some fairly basic keys, such as taking advantage of existing pipes if possible, coordinating the work with other renovations and, above all, requesting several estimates before deciding, since, in a market like the current one, comparing can make an important difference.