Full House Rewire: What's Involved and How Long Does It Take?

A full house rewire replaces every power and lighting cable, socket, switch and usually the consumer unit in your home. For an average three bedroom house it typically takes six to ten days, though a smaller flat can be done in a couple of days and a large four or five bedroom property can run past two weeks. The exact timescale depends on your property's size, age and whether you're living there while the work is carried out.

If your home is more than 25 to 30 years old and hasn't been rewired, or you've started noticing flickering lights, sockets that feel warm, or fuses that trip for no obvious reason, it's worth getting an electrician out to take a proper look before those signs turn into something more serious.

Signs your house may need a rewire

• Lights that flicker or dim when other appliances switch on

• Circuit breakers or fuses that trip repeatedly

• Sockets or switches that feel warm, look scorched or make a buzzing sound

• A burning smell near an outlet, which means turning off the power and calling an electrician straight away

• Old fabric covered or rubber sheathed cabling, or a fuse box rather than a modern consumer unit

None of these guarantee you need a full rewire. The reliable way to find out is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), which a qualified electrician can carry out to assess the condition of your existing wiring and flag anything that falls short of current standards, as explained in Checkatrade's guide to rewiring a house. Homeowners are generally advised to have one every ten years, landlords every five.

What does a full house rewire actually involve?

A full rewire strips out the old wiring and replaces it with cabling, switches and sockets that meet current wiring regulations. According to Checkatrade, the work typically covers:

• All power and lighting cables throughout the property

• Switch and socket back boxes

• Lighting circuits and connections

• Earth bonding

• A consumer unit upgrade where the existing one is outdated or undersized

Most electricians also use the opportunity to add extras homeowners have been putting off, such as USB sockets, additional circuits or smart lighting.

First fix and second fix

The job happens in two stages. During first fix, the electrician chases channels into walls, lifts floorboards and runs the new cabling to where every socket, switch and light fitting will go. Walls can then be replastered. During second fix, once decorating is finished, the electrician returns to fit and connect the sockets, switches and light fittings, then carries out a full test and inspection before issuing certification.

This is why a rewire is easiest and often cheaper during a wider renovation. If you're already having a kitchen or bathroom refit, new flooring or replastering done, it makes sense to get the electrics sorted first, while the walls and floors are already open.

How long does a full house rewire take?

Timescales depend mainly on the size of the property and how many rooms, sockets and circuits are involved. As a rough guide from Checkatrade's rewiring guide:

Property size	Estimated duration
1 bedroom flat	2 to 4 days
2 bedroom house	4 to 5 days
3 bedroom house	6 to 10 days
4 bedroom house	8 to 15 days

If you plan to stay in the property while the work is going on, add a bit of extra time. The electrician has to work around furniture and family life, switching the power off and on for different sections of the house as they go, rather than running straight through. Some homeowners split the job into stages, room by room or floor by floor, to keep at least part of the house liveable throughout. Ready to get a timeline for your own property? Get in touch with the team for a visit and a clear, written schedule before any work starts.

What certification should you get afterwards?

All electrical work in the UK has to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, and a full rewire must be notified to your local authority and inspected on completion. Hiring an electrician registered with a competent person scheme such as NAPIT, NICEIC or ELECSA means they can self certify the work and handle that notification for you, rather than you needing to arrange a separate building control inspection.

Once the job is finished, you should be handed:

• An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) confirming the work meets BS 7671 wiring regulations

• A Part P notification submitted to your local authority

Keep both documents somewhere safe. You'll need them if you sell the property, and your buildings insurer may ask to see them too, as Checkatrade notes.

Why rewiring matters more than most homeowners realise

Electrical faults are the single biggest identifiable cause of accidental fires in UK homes. Data drawn from the Home Office's Domestic Appliance Fires dataset shows electrical hazards account for around 53% of all accidental dwelling fires in England, according to analysis published by Electrical Safety First. Old, worn or overloaded wiring that was never designed for the number of appliances, chargers and gadgets a modern household runs is a big part of that picture, which is why electricians generally recommend a rewire every 25 to 30 years.

Getting your rewire done right

A rewire isn't a job to shop around for on price alone. Always check the electrician is registered with a competent person scheme, ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down labour, materials and any plastering, and get a clear timeline before work starts. Costs vary a good deal by property size and condition, which we cover in detail in our separate guide to house rewiring costs [link to your house rewiring cost post once published].

Elphick Electrical Services is a NAPIT registered electrician based in Battle, covering rewires and additional electrical points across East Sussex, from Bexhill and Hastings to Eastbourne, Hailsham and Lewes. You can see the full range of rewiring and additional points services on the website, or get in touch directly to arrange a visit and a written quote for your own home.

FAQs

How do I know if my house needs a full rewire or just a partial one?

A full rewire replaces all the cabling, circuits and usually the consumer unit throughout the property. A partial rewire only updates specific circuits or rooms, for example after an extension, or where an EICR has flagged isolated faults rather than problems across the whole system. An EICR is the best way to find out which one your home actually needs.

Can I live in my house while it's being rewired?

Yes, in most cases, though it isn't the most comfortable few days. Expect noise, dust and periods without power in different rooms as the electrician works through the house. Some homeowners choose to stay with family or move out temporarily for larger jobs, particularly with young children in the house.

Do I need planning permission to rewire my house?

No. Rewiring doesn't need planning permission. It does need to comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, which a registered electrician will handle as part of the job, including notifying your local authority.

How often should a house be rewired?

Most electricians recommend a full rewire every 25 to 30 years. If your home has never been rewired and is older than that, it's worth booking an EICR first to check the actual condition of the wiring before deciding whether you need a full or partial rewire.

What's included in the price of a house rewire?

A written quote should break down labour, materials, the consumer unit specification, the number of sockets and light fittings included, testing and certification, and whether making good the walls after chasing is covered. Always ask for this in writing before work begins so there are no surprises partway through.