Rewiring a house is one of the biggest electrical projects you’re likely to undertake in your home.

It can be disruptive. Floorboards may need to be lifted, walls chased, furniture moved and the electricity switched off at various stages of the work.

But a rewire also presents a fantastic opportunity.

Rather than simply replacing old wiring, you can think about how you use your home today – and how you might use it in the future.

If you’re considering rewiring your property, here are five important things to think about before work begins.

1. Does Your House Actually Need Rewiring?

There’s no set age at which every house automatically needs to be rewired.

The condition of an electrical installation depends on numerous factors, including its age, the type of wiring and equipment installed, how it has been used and any alterations that have been made over the years.

Older wiring isn’t necessarily unsafe simply because of its age, but there are warning signs that should be investigated.

These can include:

• Circuit breakers regularly tripping or fuses blowing
• Flickering lights
• Damaged or discoloured sockets and switches
• Buzzing or crackling sounds
• Burning smells
• Signs of overheating
• Very old electrical accessories or consumer units

If you’re unsure about the condition of your home’s electrics, an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) can provide a detailed assessment of the existing installation.

For an owner-occupied home, an EICR is commonly recommended at least every 10 years, although the appropriate interval will depend on the installation and the recommendation given on the previous report.

Different requirements apply to privately rented properties in England, where electrical installations generally need to be inspected and tested at least every five years.

2. Choose the Right Electrical Contractor

A full rewire isn’t a small job, so choosing the right electrical contractor is extremely important.

Don’t base your decision on price alone.

Consider the contractor’s experience, appropriate qualifications, insurance, previous work and whether they belong to a recognised competent person scheme.

At TECC Ltd., we are a NICEIC Approved Contractor and have extensive experience carrying out electrical work in domestic and commercial properties.

Before choosing a contractor, it’s also worth asking exactly what’s included within the quotation.

Will they arrange the appropriate certification? What making good is included? Are light fittings and accessories included? What happens if unexpected problems are discovered?

Having these conversations before work begins can prevent misunderstandings later.

3. Plan Your Sockets, Lights and Switches Beforehand

One of the biggest advantages of rewiring is that you’re starting again.

So don’t automatically put everything back exactly where it was.

Before work begins, walk through your property room by room and think about how you actually use each space.

Where will the television go?

Where do you charge your phone?

How many appliances are used in the kitchen?

Where will bedside tables be positioned?

Could a bedroom eventually become a home office?

Would additional outside sockets or lighting be useful?

It’s much easier to install additional sockets, switches and electrical supplies while a property is already being rewired than to decide you need them after the walls have been plastered and decorated.

Think about lighting too. A rewire can be an opportunity to introduce additional lighting circuits, downlights, outside lighting, dimmers or other controls.

Planning carefully at this stage can make your finished home considerably more practical.

4. Think About the Future, Not Just Today

A good rewire shouldn’t only accommodate the electrical equipment you own now.

Think about what your home might need in five, ten or even twenty years.

For example, you might want to consider provision for:

• An electric vehicle charging point
• Solar panels and battery storage
• Additional data or Ethernet connections
• Smart-home technology
• Security systems
• Outdoor power and lighting
• A future extension
• A garden office
• Electric heating or other new technology

You don’t necessarily need to install all of these things during the rewire.

However, discussing your future plans with your electrician can allow appropriate provision to be considered while cables are being installed and the property is already undergoing disruptive work.

That’s often much easier than trying to add everything afterwards.

5. Understand What the Rewiring Process Involves

A rewire is generally completed in stages.

First Fix

During the first fix, cables and other parts of the installation that will eventually be concealed are installed.

This can involve lifting floorboards, creating access through ceilings and chasing walls so cables can be routed to the required locations.

It’s generally the most disruptive part of the process.

Second Fix

Once the necessary building and plastering work has progressed, the electricians return for the second fix.

This is when items such as sockets, switches, light fittings and other electrical accessories are connected and installed.

The completed installation then needs to be inspected and tested.

When Is the Best Time to Rewire a House?

If you’re planning major renovations, that’s often an ideal opportunity.

Rewiring before you’ve fitted new flooring, decorated rooms or installed a new kitchen can save a considerable amount of disruption later.

Where possible, having the property empty can also make the process easier and quicker.

It is sometimes possible to remain in a property while a rewire takes place, but you should discuss this with your electrical contractor beforehand. There will be disruption, dust and periods when parts of the electrical installation aren’t available.

If you’re staying in the property, you’ll also need to think about protecting furniture and belongings while work is underway.

How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?

There’s no meaningful single price for a house rewire.

The cost will depend on factors including:

• The size and layout of the property
• The condition of the existing installation
• The number of circuits required
• The number and type of sockets and switches
• Lighting requirements
• Accessibility
• Whether the property is occupied
• Additional electrical requirements
• The specification of accessories you choose

That’s why we recommend a site visit before providing a quotation.

It allows us to understand the property, discuss what you want and provide a price based on the actual work required rather than a generic estimate.

How Long Does a House Rewire Take?

Again, this depends on the property and the scope of the work.

A small property with straightforward access will be very different from a large occupied home requiring extensive alterations.

The first and second fix stages may also be separated by other building work, plastering or renovation work, so the overall project timescale isn’t necessarily the same as the number of days your electricians spend on site.

We’ll discuss the expected timescale with you before work begins so you understand how the project will progress.

Don’t Forget Your Electrical Certification

Once the new installation has been completed, it needs to be properly inspected, tested and certified.

For a full rewire, you should receive the appropriate Electrical Installation Certificate, and relevant Building Regulations requirements will also need to be met.

This is another reason why choosing a reputable electrical contractor at the beginning of the project is so important.

Planning a Rewire with TECC Ltd.

At TECC Ltd., we aim to make the rewiring process as straightforward as possible.

Our team can:

• Carry out an initial site visit to assess your existing installation and discuss your plans
• Talk through different options based on your property and budget
• Help you plan sockets, lighting and other electrical requirements
• Discuss opportunities to future-proof your installation
• Explain what will happen during the first and second fix
• Provide expected timescales for the work
• Inspect, test and provide the appropriate certification once the work is complete

A house rewire will inevitably involve some disruption, but careful planning before the first cable is installed can make an enormous difference to both the project itself and the finished result.

If you’re considering rewiring your home and would like to discuss what’s involved, get in touch with TECC Ltd. and our team will be happy to help.