What a full rewire actually involves
People sometimes imagine a rewire as swapping sockets and switches. It is much more than that. Here is what happens from first fix to handover.
Every cable is replaced
The entire wiring installation is stripped back and renewed. This means every socket, switch, light, and appliance circuit is re-run with new cable meeting current BS 7671 (18th Edition) standards. Old rubber- or PVC-insulated cables from the 1960s–80s are completely removed.
New consumer unit
The rewire includes a modern consumer unit (fuse board) with individual RCBO protection on each circuit — or RCDs covering groups — plus an SPD (surge protection device) and correct main earthing. We design the consumer unit layout to suit your property: kitchen on its own ring, utility on its own ring, and separate circuits for showers, cookers, and other high-load appliances.
Floorboards are lifted — expect it
Ground floor cables run through the floor void beneath suspended timber floors. First floor cables run through the void above the ground floor ceiling or under floorboards. Expect every room’s floor to be partially lifted at some point. We take care to refit boards securely, but in older properties with narrow or irregular boards, some cosmetic work may be needed afterwards — this is normal and your responsibility to finish.
Solid concrete floors require cables to be surface-run in conduit, chased into the wall, or routed at ceiling level — we will discuss this at the survey.
Dust and mess — it’s unavoidable
Cutting back boxes, chasing cable runs, and lifting floors generates a significant amount of dust and debris. We dust-sheet as much as possible and clean up as we go. But during the work, the property will not be liveable without precautions. Plan ahead: cover furniture, remove valuables, and ideally arrange to stay elsewhere during the most disruptive phases if you can.
Plaster damage is expected
Where cables are chased into plaster or masonry, plasterwork will need making good afterwards. This is not included in our price unless specifically agreed. Most customers arrange a plasterer or decorator once the rewire is complete. We can recommend local trades if needed.
Power will be off for extended periods
During the consumer unit installation phase (typically one full day), the property will be without power. During the testing phase, power will cycle on and off repeatedly. Please save any important computer work, defrost frozen goods if the power is off for more than a few hours, and do not restart sensitive electronics until we give the all-clear at the end of testing.
Health, safety & site rules
Safety footwear stays on
We do not remove our boots. They are mandatory PPE for electrical work. We carry disposable over-shoe covers if you’d like extra floor protection — just ask.
Keep pets and children clear
Lifted floorboards, exposed cables, and power tools are hazardous. Please keep children and pets away from the work areas throughout the job. We cannot be responsible for safety in unsupervised areas during active work.
Clear the rooms
We can move small items, but we cannot move large furniture, wardrobes, kitchen appliances, or fitted pieces. Please clear rooms as much as possible before we arrive. Rooms that we cannot access properly may need to be revisited as an additional call, which takes more time and may incur extra cost.
Parking
We need to be close to your property for the duration. In permit-only or controlled-parking zones, a visitor permit or bay suspension is the customer’s responsibility. Time lost due to parking issues is billable at our standard rate.
The planning requirement — this is non-negotiable
We will not start work without an agreed written plan. This is for your protection as much as ours. Agreeing the plan in advance means you get exactly what you asked for, and there are no arguments about “you said it would be there” after the walls are plastered.
Room-by-room layout
Before we start, we agree a plan showing every socket, switch, light, fan, and appliance connection — room by room, with approximate positions marked. For a straightforward house you can simply describe what you want and we draw it up at the pre-start survey. For larger or more complex projects, a drawn floor plan is helpful. You can use our room-by-room design calculator to plan and print your requirements in advance.
Kitchen plan — required if a new kitchen is being fitted
If a new kitchen is being installed around the same time as the rewire, we must have the kitchen supplier’s final layout plan before we start. We will position sockets, switched fused spurs, the cooker connection, and the extractor fan to match the unit positions exactly.
If you change the kitchen layout after we have wired, moving appliances means re-routing cables, cutting new chases, and adjusting back-box positions. This is a return visit and it costs extra. Get the kitchen plan finalised before we start.
Changes after the plan is agreed
We understand that minds can change — but once cable is run and walls are made good, moving a socket means opening the wall again. Any deviation from the agreed plan is a variation. Variations are quoted before the work is done and charged separately. We won’t just “move it a bit” without agreeing the cost first.
What’s included in the standard rewire price
What’s not included in the standard price
Supplying your own fittings
You are welcome to supply your own light fittings, sockets, or switches. We will install like-for-like items at no additional labour charge where the installation is straightforward. Unusual or complex items (chandeliers, heavy pendants requiring structural fixing, non-standard back boxes) will be discussed before installation. Please confirm any client-supplied items well before we start so we can plan accordingly.
Waste disposal — your responsibility
We do not hold a waste carriers licence. This means that old cable, back boxes, plaster rubble, packaging, and any other debris accumulated during the rewire is the client’s responsibility to arrange disposal of.
We will leave the site clean and tidy — all waste bagged and in one place — but we cannot take it away in our vans or dispose of it at a tip. If you need a skip or grab hire, we can recommend local services. The local waste and grab hire directory has contacts in the Thanet area.
How to prepare your home
- Finalise the room plan before work starts. Use our design calculator to think through every room. Confirm socket, switch, and light positions — including heights — at the survey. Changes mid-job cost more and delay the schedule.
- If getting a new kitchen, have the layout plan confirmed first. Get the kitchen company’s final signed-off plan before we start wiring. Tell your kitchen supplier you need it for the electrician. Do not let either trade start without the plan agreed by both sides.
- Clear the rooms as much as possible. Remove small items, ornaments, soft furnishings, and clothing. Move or cover large furniture. We cannot move wardrobes, beds, or kitchen appliances — these need to be accessible or moved before we arrive.
- Cover carpets and floors. Even with dust sheets, a rewire creates a lot of dust. Consider putting temporary floor covering down, or plan to have carpets professionally cleaned after.
- Plan for days without power. Have a plan for cooking (a camping stove or microwave if you have a generator), lighting (battery lanterns or torches), and heating if the rewire is in winter. Tell us in advance if you have medical equipment that requires power — we will plan around it.
- Consider staying elsewhere for the most disruptive phase. Day one and day two of a typical rewire are the most disruptive — first fix generates the most dust and noise. If you have friends or family you can stay with, it can make the job faster and much more comfortable for you.
- Sort out waste disposal in advance. Book a skip or grab hire before work starts. We will bag everything neatly, but the bags need somewhere to go. Don’t leave this until the last day.
- Save computer files and shut down electronics. On the day the consumer unit is replaced, power will be off for an extended period and will cycle on and off during testing. Save everything and shut down properly the night before.
- Allow access to loft and underfloor void. Loft hatches should be accessible. Understairs cupboards cleared. If access to any floor void is blocked (e.g. by fitted units), tell us at the survey so we can plan cable routes that avoid it.
Common questions
How long does a rewire take?
A typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house takes 3 to 5 working days. A larger detached property or one with complex access requirements can take up to a week or more. We will give you a project schedule at the survey stage.
Can I stay in the house during the rewire?
Yes, though it’s not comfortable. Most clients who stay at home during the rewire find the first day or two the hardest — there is a lot of dust and noise, and one room at a time will be without power. If you stay, please:
- Designate one “clean” room where we are not working as your retreat.
- Plan meals that don’t require the oven on days when the power is off.
- Accept that the property will be noticeably dustier than usual for the duration.
Who does the plastering and decorating after?
We are electricians, not plasterers or decorators. We will leave chased areas filled to a reasonable standard using Gyproc or similar, but final skimming, painting, and wallpapering is your responsibility to arrange. We can recommend trusted local plasterers and decorators if you need a contact.
Will the rewire affect my boiler or gas appliances?
Your boiler will have a new dedicated electrical connection as part of the rewire. We will disconnect and reconnect the boiler electrical supply — we do not touch the gas pipework, but the boiler may be without power for a period while we work. If your boiler requires a re-pressurisation or re-ignition after a power cut, please have your boiler manual to hand or contact your gas engineer. Any work on the gas pipework itself is outside our scope.
What certificate do I get?
On completion you will receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) — the correct document for a new or complete rewire — detailing every circuit, the test results, and the inspector’s signature. This is different from an EICR (which is an inspection report on an existing installation). The EIC is a permanent record of your installation and should be kept safely. It may be requested by your insurers, your mortgage lender, or a future buyer.
Do I need an EICR after a rewire?
No — the EIC issued at the end of the rewire is the definitive record. An EICR is only needed once the installation has been in use for a period and needs re-inspection (typically every 10 years for owner-occupiers, every 5 years for rented properties). We can arrange a post-rewire EICR at any point if you need one for insurance or tenancy purposes.
What about internet, TV aerials, and data cabling?
Our scope is electrical power and lighting. TV aerial sockets, satellite connections, data/ethernet sockets, and doorbell wiring are separate disciplines. We can include switched outlet plates and fused spurs where you intend to connect AV equipment, but the coaxial, Cat 6, or data cabling itself is usually arranged separately. Mention any data or AV requirements at the survey and we will position power accordingly.
Pricing tools & next steps
Use the calculators to plan your budget — then book a survey to get a firm, written price.