A rewire replaces the fixed cables in a home, along with the boxes, accessories and usually the fuse board. From the outside it looks like one big job. In practice it runs as a sequence of distinct stages, and knowing that sequence makes it much easier to plan the rest of your life around it. This guide walks through the stages in the order they happen in an occupied house.
Stage one: the survey and quote
It starts with a visit to look at the existing installation, the board, the loft, under floors where possible, and each room. The aim is to understand how cables can be routed and what you want from the finished result. You then get a free written quote setting out the scope, so you can see what is and is not included before agreeing anything.
Stage two: planning the layout
Before any cable is pulled, the new layout is agreed room by room. This is your chance to put sockets where the furniture will actually be, move switches to sensible heights, add outside lights, and think about data points or a future car charger. Changes are cheap on paper and expensive after plastering.
- Socket positions and how many in each room
- Lighting points, switching and any dimming
- Fixed appliance supplies such as cooker, hob and shower
- Smoke and heat detection positions
- Any spare capacity for future additions
Stage three: first fix
First fix is the disruptive part. Floorboards are lifted, walls are chased where cables must drop to sockets and switches, and new cables are run back to the board position. Back boxes are fitted. The old cables are disconnected and either removed or made dead and left where removing them would cause needless damage.
In an occupied house the work is usually done in a planned order, keeping at least some power and lighting available at the end of each day wherever that is safe.
Stage four: making good
Once first fix is complete, the chases and holes need filling and plastering. Your electrician may or may not include this. The quote should say clearly who is responsible, because it is the stage most likely to cause misunderstanding.
Stage five: second fix
After plastering, the electrician returns to fit the visible parts: sockets, switches, light fittings, and the new consumer unit if it was not fitted earlier. Each circuit is connected at the board and labelled.
Stage six: testing and certification
Every circuit is tested before it is put into service. The tests confirm continuity, insulation, polarity, earth fault loop values and that the protective devices operate correctly. A rewire is notifiable work, so at the end you receive an electrical installation certificate and, from a registered electrician, confirmation that the work has been notified to building control.
What you need to do
Clear rooms as far as you can, or at least move furniture to the middle and cover it. Lift carpets in the areas being worked on if you want them reused cleanly. Agree where you will be living during the noisiest days, and plan decorating for after second fix rather than before.
Common questions
- Do all the walls get chased?
- No. Cables are routed through floors, lofts and existing voids wherever possible. Chasing is used where cables must drop to a socket or switch position.
- Is the old cable taken out?
- Where it can be removed without needless damage, yes. Otherwise it is disconnected and made dead so it can never be used again.
- Can I stay in the house?
- Usually, yes. The work is planned so that parts of the house stay usable, with power restored at the end of each day where it is safe.
Thinking about a rewire? Book a survey visit and get a free written quote.
Related guides
- How Long a Rewire Actually TakesThe electrical work is only part of the calendar — plaster drying is often the longest single item.
- Rewiring a House You Are Still Living InIt is entirely possible to live through a rewire. It is much easier if the phasing is agreed before anyone lifts a floorboard.
- Can You Rewire a House in Stages?Yes. A staged rewire is normal, as long as the order is planned and every finished stage is tested before you live with it.