How Long Does a House Rewire Take?

It's a fair question, and not one with a single answer. A rewire of a small, empty flat and a rewire of a large, occupied period house are very different undertakings. This guide explains the stages and the factors that stretch them, so the programme you're given makes sense.

The three stages

First fix

This is the heaviest part. We lift floorboards, cut chases into walls, drill through joists and run new cables to every socket, switch and light position. Back boxes go in the walls and cables are left ready at the consumer unit position. It's the noisiest, dustiest stage and the one most affected by the house itself.

Plastering and other trades

Between first and second fix, walls are made good and plastered, and floors go back down. This isn't usually electrical work, but it sits in the middle of the programme, so plastering time and drying time count towards the total.

Second fix

Once surfaces are ready, we return to fit sockets, switches, light fittings and the consumer unit, and connect everything. This is quicker and much cleaner than first fix.

Testing and certification

Every circuit is then tested, any issues are put right, and the Electrical Installation Certificate is completed. Only then is the job finished.

What stretches the time

• House size and number of circuits. More rooms and more points simply take longer.
• Occupied versus empty. In an empty house we can open several rooms at once. In an occupied one we work in sections and make each safe and usable before moving on.
• Floor and wall construction. Suspended timber floors and stud walls are relatively easy to route cables through. Solid concrete floors, thick stone walls and lath-and-plaster ceilings take longer and need more care.
• Access. Fitted kitchens, built-in wardrobes, boarded lofts and laminate flooring all have to be worked around or lifted.
• Changes along the way. Adding sockets or moving lights is easiest before first fix finishes. Late changes add time.
• Other trades. Plastering, kitchen fitting and decorating all have to fit in around the electrical stages.

Living at home during a rewire

It's possible, and many people do it, but be prepared. Expect dust despite sheets, rooms out of action for periods, furniture moved, and the power off at times during the day. We aim to leave the house with working power and some lighting each evening, but some days will be inconvenient.

A few things make it easier:

• Clear the rooms being worked on as much as you can, especially loft spaces and under-stairs cupboards.
• Keep one room as a clean base, and we'll work around it as long as possible.
• Plan around home working, pets and young children, as noise is unavoidable during first fix.
• If you're having a kitchen or bathroom refitted anyway, coordinate the timing so walls are only opened once.

Getting a realistic programme

Once we've seen the property, agreed whether it's a full or partial job and talked through your plans, we'll give you a realistic programme. If you're still deciding on the scope, our guide to full versus partial rewires may help, and our rewires page covers the practical side.