Rewiring a house costs the same as buying a second-hand car.
If you are in England or Wales, it is essential that you use a contractor who is a member of an Approved Persons scheme. Otherwise the only legal way to get it certificated is to notify your local council Building Control in advance and pay the inspection, testing and certification fees. This will generally work out more expensive. Nobody else can legally "do the cert" for someone else's work.
It is best to ask around friends and neighbours for a recommended local electrician. Before asking him to come round and quote, ask which self-certification scheme he is in, how long he has been a member, and is he a Domestic Installer or full member ("Domestic Installer" is a minimum level of qualification).
There are a number of schemes, you have probably heard of NICEIC but there are others.
Youe Electricity company probably has a contracting arm, you can generally rely on them to be the most expensive.
Allow for replastering and redecorating afterwards. A good electrician is generally not a good plasterer.
Have far more sockets than you think you could possibly need, especially in the kitchen. I recommend switches above the kitchen worktop controlling unswitched sockets below, at every point where you have, or anybody could ever conceivably want, an appliance. Remember that lights and sockets in the loft, garafe, shed and garden may be handy. Ask which brand of sockets and switches he usually supplies. His standard offering might be a cheap range. Crabtree, MEM and MK are well-known good-quality brands. He will quote for plain white plastic unless you specify something else.
It is dusty work, especially if he uses a wall-chasing machine. Floors will come up. It will be easier, quicker and faster if the house is empty of people, furniture and carpets.