Deciding on an Electrical Rewire

Deciding if to rewire your house is not always a straight forward decision to make. As a guide, Electrical Installations generally have a 25 year life span but some can last longer and others less, depending on various factors such as how much work it has done, how much it has been tampered with / altered, if there is damage, if any overheating is evident and whether its earthing is sufficient.

Some older Electrical Installations don't have earthing in their light circuits , some still have old lead or rubber cable and some are just not up to the electrical demands of modern living. A good giveaway for the age of an installation can be the Consumer Unit (Fusebox) where the old style 'Pull Out Re-wireable Fuses' are fitted, this would indicate that the Electrical Installation hadn't been touched for quite some time.

House Rewire by Swadlincote Electrical Services

If you are planning to stay in your home for a long period of time and its at that age electrically then its probably best to get your Electrical Installation replaced. Or if you are buying a house to live in or rent, then would be the ideal time for a Rewire before you move in and of course, an improvement of this nature can be invaluable when reselling your home.​

If you don't want to go for a Rewire but instead feel that your Fuseboard needs updating then click here.

The House Rewiring Process

Rewiring a house happens generally in two stages, called the First Fix and Second Fix.

The First Fix

The first electrical fix is when all old cabling is removed in preparation for the new. There will be new cable 'runs' under floors, down and up walls and in the attic space (if needed). Walls will be 'chased' , where a thin section of plaster is removed to allow new cables to be fitted, and back boxes for sockets/switches will be fitted into the walls. This part of the rewire is the most disruptive as floorboards need to be lifted and plaster needs removing, but saying that, mess can be kept under control if done properly. Temporary power is made available until completion of the second fix.

The Second Fix

The second electrical fix happens after the walls have been patch plastered. All electrical cable will be installed so its a case of fitting all of the Sockets, Switches, Light fittings etc. Installing a new Consumer Unit (Fusebox), then testing the new installation thoroughly before making it live. Once the fitting and testing are complete then it is Certified

Move out Temporarily or Stay Put ?

Rewires are disruptive so its best to have an empty house as this would speed up the process and reduce the cost. Failing that, if you are intending to stay then perhaps using a habitable room may be an idea whilst the work goes on around you. Empty houses are best for rewires but people do have rewires whilst still living there but its worth remembering that this will take longer.

Planning a House Rewire

It's very important to plan your rewire before you begin as alterations midway through can be costly so its best to get a clear plan in place beforehand. Think about what you need and want in place but also consider when you sell your home, what someone else might expect. It's not easy future proofing your installation but it pays to consider all aspects.

How long does a House Rewire Take ?

As an example, to rewire an empty standard 3 Bedroom house would be around 7 to 8 days for first and second fix. If the occupier is living in the property then it may take up to 50% longer