Does Your Home Need a Rewire?
It's hard to give a definitive answer to this question without carrying out a thorough and professional electrical inspection of your home.
There are a few things you should consider to establish whether a rewire may be a good idea:
First of all, we recommend rewiring your home every 25-30 years or less. This is because wiring, especially in older houses, can potentially be unsafe and unfit for the requirements of today's electronic needs.
If your home has ever been victim to major flood damage, there's a high possibility that you may need to rewire certain parts if not all of your home. If your home is likely to be flooded again, it may be a good idea to raise the fuse box and sockets to above any future expected flood level.
If you're having problems with your lights or if they've stopped working there could be a fault with the wiring. Many wattage ratings are ignored, with can lead to the wires faulting and frying.
If you answered yes to any of the above then we recommend you get in touch with us to arrange an electrical inspection.
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What is the Rewire Process?
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Initial Consultation
One of our fully qualified electricians will visit your home to carry out a comprehensive electrical inspection and establish whether a rewire is required at your property.
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Clear Schedule
When you have decided to give us the go-ahead to carry out the work, we will arrange a convenient time for work to commence, tailoring our approach to meet your circumstances.
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Professional Approach
When we start the work we will ensure to maintain a high standard of customer service and workmanship, putting your needs first and minimising disruption to your home life.
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Signed Off
We carry out an extensive testing procedure before the job is complete and issue certification once we are satisfied that the work is up to our own high standards as well as meeting necessary regulations.
How Much Does it Cost to Rewire a Home?
We understand that rewiring your home is a significant decision, both financially and practically. Old or faulty wiring isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a safety hazard that could lead to electric shocks, frequent power outages, or even devastating house fires. In fact, over half of accidental house fires are caused by electrical issues. If you’re considering a home rewire and wondering about the costs, let us guide you through the process with insights from our experienced electricians.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a House?
The cost of rewiring depends on various factors, including the size and complexity of your property. Here’s a breakdown of the costs based on property size:
2-bedroom house
£3,500 - £4,500
3-4 days
3-bedroom house
£4,000 - £5,500
5-7 days
4-bedroom house
£5,500 - £8,000
7-10 days
5-bedroom house
£7,000 - £9,000
10-14 days
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a Bungalow?
Bungalows, being single-story homes, often require less labor compared to multi-story houses, making rewiring a bungalow more cost-effective.
However, the cost can still vary based on size, layout, and the number of fittings required. Below is a general cost guide for bungalows:
1-bedroom bungalow
£2,500 - £3,500
2-3 days
2-bedroom bungalow
£3,000 - £4,000
3-4 days
3-bedroom bungalow
£4,000 - £5,500
5-7 days
Why Rewiring Your Home is Essential
Rewiring isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity to ensure the safety of your home and family. Many older properties, especially those over 25 years old, were not designed to handle the electrical demands of modern living.
If your home hasn’t been rewired in decades, it’s time for an inspection to determine if an upgrade is needed. Outdated wiring can not only fail to support your appliances but also pose a risk of electrocution or fire.
We can carry out an assessment of your home’s electrical system and provide a thorough inspection report to determine if rewiring is necessary.
Signs That Your Home Needs Rewiring
Outdated Fuse Box: If your consumer unit is made of wood or lacks modern safety features, it’s time for an upgrade.
Old Wiring Materials: Rubber, fabric, aluminum, or lead wiring are no longer safe or compliant with regulations.
Frequent Electrical Issues: Tripping circuits, buzzing sounds, or plugs that overheat are red flags.
Discolored Fittings: Overheated wiring can leave burn marks or discoloration around outlets and switches.
Electric Shocks: Any shock, no matter how minor, is a sign of a serious problem.
What Does Rewiring a Home Involve?
Rewiring a house is a comprehensive process that modernises your electrical system to meet today’s safety and efficiency standards. Here’s what to expect:
Phase 1: Removing the Old Wiring
We begin by stripping out all the outdated wiring, fittings, and consumer units. This step ensures that your home’s electrical system is completely free from potential hazards.
Phase 2: Installing New Wiring and Components
Next, we install new wiring, routing it through walls and under floors. We also upgrade to a modern, metal-clad consumer unit that complies with fire safety regulations. New sockets, switches, and light fittings are installed based on your preferences and needs.
Phase 3: Testing and Certification
Finally, our qualified electricians rigorously test the new system to ensure it’s safe and compliant with current regulations. We provide you with an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and a certificate to demonstrate compliance—an important document if you ever sell or rent your property.
Factors That Affect Rewiring Costs
Several variables influence the overall cost of a rewiring project:
Property Size and Layout: Larger homes or properties with multiple floors require more wiring and labor.
Age of the Property: Older homes may need additional work to remove outdated materials or add modern features.
Region: Electrician rates vary across the UK, with costs typically higher in southern regions.
Number of Fittings: More sockets, switches, and lights will increase the overall cost.
Access Challenges: Hard-to-reach areas, like lofts or basements, may require extra labor.
Quality of Components: Premium sockets, switches, or light fittings will add to the budget.
Waste Disposal: If significant debris is generated, skip hire may be necessary.
How Long Does It Take to Rewire a House?
The time required for a rewiring project depends on the size and complexity of your home. On average, a standard 3-bedroom house takes 5-7 days. If you’re living in the property during the work, it might take a little longer as we ensure minimal disruption to your daily life.
How to Save on Rewiring Costs
While rewiring is an essential investment, there are ways to manage costs effectively:
Plan Ahead: Decide where you want sockets and fittings before the work begins to avoid last-minute changes.
Choose Wisely: Opt for high-quality, reasonably priced components to balance safety and cost.
Bundle Projects: If you’re renovating, combine rewiring with other tasks to save time and labor costs.
Why Upgrade Your Fuse Board?
Older fuse boards may lack essential safety features, putting your home at risk of electrical faults and fire hazards. Upgrading to a modern RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent Protection) fuse board offers multiple benefits:
Increased Safety: Individual RCBOs provide superior protection by isolating faulty circuits without cutting power to the entire home.
Compliance with Regulations: New consumer units meet the latest 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, ensuring your property is up to code.
Improved Reliability: Modern fuse boards reduce the risk of electrical failures, providing long-term peace of mind.
Fire Risk Reduction: Older fuse boards may overheat or lack adequate insulation. Our upgraded units significantly lower fire hazards.
Why Choose RML Electrical for Your Rewiring Project?
At RML Electrical, we pride ourselves on delivering top-notch electrical services with a friendly, professional approach. Here’s why homeowners trust us:
Qualified Electricians: Our team holds all necessary certifications, including NICEIC registration and Level 3 NVQ Diplomas.
Years of Experience: With over a decade in the industry, we’ve tackled projects of all sizes and complexities.
Transparent Pricing: We provide detailed quotes with no hidden fees.
Customer-Focused Service: From planning to cleanup, we ensure minimal disruption and maximum satisfaction.
Guaranteed Work: Our installations come with guarantees for peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rewiring
Do I Need to Redecorate After Rewiring?
Rewiring often involves some disruption to your walls, ceilings, and floors. While our team at RML Electrical takes care to minimise damage by using small access holes and existing conduits, some areas may require plastering or repainting after the work is complete. We recommend planning for some redecorating to restore your home to its original appearance.
Do Walls Have to Be Removed to Rewire a House?
In most cases, walls do not need to be completely removed during a rewiring project. Electricians can usually work by lifting floorboards, using existing conduits, or making small access holes in the walls. However, in older properties or where significant upgrades are required, some minor plasterwork or drilling may be necessary. At RML Electrical, we strive to minimise disruption and will always discuss the scope of work with you in advance.
Do I Need Planning Permission?
In most cases, no. If you hire a registered electrician, they can sign off the work to building control. However, listed buildings or conservation areas may require special permissions.
Can I Stay in My Home During the Rewire?
Yes, but be prepared for some disruption. If possible, staying elsewhere during the most intensive stages of the work can make the process smoother.
Is Rewiring a DIY Job?
Absolutely not. Rewiring requires professional expertise to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. Always hire a qualified electrician.
How Much Does an Electrical Inspection Cost?
An initial inspection or Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) typically costs between £150 and £300, depending on the size and condition of the property.
What Happens if I Don’t Rewire When Needed?
Delaying necessary rewiring can lead to serious risks, including electrical fires, electrocution, and property damage. It may also lower your home’s value and fail to meet building regulations.
Electrical Rewiring Safety
As stated before, we recommend a complete rewire around every 25-30 years. It is worth considering having a rewire carried out within the 25 year time-frame though as it can lead to the correction of dangerous faults that might have caused damage or fire otherwise.
Rewiring often brings properties up to modern day standards, improving efficiency and safety whilst also improving the placement of electrical outlets that are more readily required in the modern day.
Having an entire property rewired is a rare occurrence, however it’s always worth considering as it can lead to the correction of dangerous faults that might have caused damage or fire otherwise, especially in older properties.
Electrical rewiring can bring your property up to date with today’s safety standards, whilst improving safety as well as potentially improving the placement of electrical outlets that are more readily required in the modern day.
For the highest standards electrical efficiency and Safety, contact us today.