Signs a rewire is due
There is no fixed age at which a house must be rewired. Some homes wired in the 1970s are still in good order, while others have had decades of poor alterations. Signs worth investigating include rubber or fabric-covered cables, old round-pin sockets, lighting circuits with no earth, very few sockets with adaptors everywhere, frequent tripping, scorched accessories or a burning smell. An EICR is the most reliable way to find out. It tests the installation and reports on its condition, so the decision to rewire is based on evidence rather than guesswork. Sometimes the answer is a partial rewire or a few new circuits rather than the whole house.
Size and layout of the property
The number of rooms is the obvious starting point, but layout matters just as much. A two-storey house with suspended timber floors and an accessible loft is very different from a bungalow with solid floors, or a three-storey townhouse with concrete upper floors. Every circuit needs a route from the board to each point, and how easy those routes are drives the labour. Extensions and conversions add complications, especially if they were built at different times with different construction methods.
Full or partial rewire, first fix and second fix
A full rewire replaces all the circuits, usually with a new consumer unit. A partial rewire replaces only some, for example the downstairs sockets or the lighting, where testing shows the rest is sound. A rewire is normally done in two stages. First fix is when new cables are run, back boxes are cut into walls and floorboards are lifted. Plastering and other trades often follow. Second fix comes later, when sockets, switches and light fittings are connected, the board is fitted and everything is tested and certified. Because there are two visits with a gap between, the timing often depends on other trades. Our guide on how long a rewire takes explains the sequence in more detail.
Living in or empty; floors, ceilings and making good
An empty house is far quicker to rewire. Floors can be lifted freely, rooms cleared and power switched off without anyone being inconvenienced. If you are living in the house, the electrician has to work room by room, keep some power and lighting on each night and protect furniture and belongings. It can be done, but it takes longer. Finishes matter too. Lifting fitted carpets, tiled floors or laminate, and cutting into newly decorated walls, adds work and repair. Most electricians do not include plastering or decorating; the walls are left chased and filled ready for a plasterer. Ask exactly what making good is included, and plan the rewire before redecorating, not after.
Extras: more sockets, lighting, data and EV-ready supply
A rewire is the cheapest time to add the things you will want for years. Think about extra double sockets, sockets with USB, outdoor sockets, downlights or lighting changes, data cabling to rooms used for work, and a dedicated supply to the driveway for a future EV charger. Each extra point adds a little to the job, but adding them later means cutting into finished walls again. Write a simple room-by-room list before you ask for quotes so every electrician prices the same specification.
Getting a quote
For a fair comparison, give each electrician the same information: the size and layout of the house, whether it will be occupied, the floor types, your list of extras, and any previous EICR. A survey visit is usually needed for an accurate quote. A rewire is notifiable work in England, so you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and building control notification at the end. Sean Reynolds at SR Installations (Electricals) has 20 years in the trade and is NAPIT registered. Call 07747 562927 or use the contact page, and read our guide on how long a rewire takes to help with planning.