How long does a rewire take, and can you live in the house?
A three bedroom house is usually five to ten working days for the electrical work. Living in it is possible, uncomfortable, and considerably easier if you understand the sequence before it starts.
Realistic timescales
These cover the electrical work only. Plastering, decorating and any building work run afterwards and are the reason a rewire feels longer than it is.
- Flat or small two bedroom house: three to five working days
- Three bedroom house: five to eight working days
- Four bedroom or extended house: eight to twelve working days
- Partial rewire, for example upstairs only: two to four working days
- Add time for solid walls, no loft access, or a property in continuous occupation
The two stages
First fix is the disruptive half: floorboards up, chases cut into walls, cables run to every socket, switch and light position, back boxes fitted. This is the noisy, dusty stage and it is where most of the time goes.
Second fix is quieter: accessories fitted, the consumer unit installed and connected, everything tested, certified and labelled. Between the two there is often a plastering gap, and coordinating that properly is what keeps a rewire on schedule.
Living in the house during the work
It is done all the time, particularly in occupied family homes across the valleys where moving out is not realistic. The practical approach is to work room by room, keeping a working kitchen and at least one usable socket area running while the rest is disturbed.
Be realistic about it though. There will be days with no power in part of the house, dust travels regardless of sheeting, and floorboards will be up in rooms you were using yesterday. Where a property is empty between tenancies, the same job usually finishes faster and cheaper because we are not working around anybody.
- Expect at least one full day with the supply off for the board change
- Keep a clear route for cables and tools rather than moving furniture repeatedly
- Pets and small children are best out of the working rooms
- Agree a start room, because starting with bedrooms preserves the kitchen
Partial rewires and when they are appropriate
Where only part of the installation has failed, typically the original lighting circuits under a modernised kitchen and bathroom, a partial rewire is honest and appropriate. Where the cabling is deteriorating throughout, a partial job just spends money on half a problem, and we will say so rather than take the smaller booking.
Either way the work is tested, certified and notified, and you receive an Electrical Installation Certificate with the full schedule of results.
Common questions
How long does a full house rewire take?
Typically five to ten working days for the electrical work on a three bedroom house, plus plastering and decorating afterwards.
Can we stay in the house?
Usually yes, working room by room, but expect days with partial power, dust and lifted floorboards. Empty properties are faster and cheaper.
Will the walls need replastering?
Chased walls need making good, yes. We keep chasing to what is necessary and can coordinate with your plasterer so the trades do not sit waiting.
Does my house definitely need rewiring?
Often not. Many properties we survey need a consumer unit upgrade and targeted remedials rather than a rewire, and we will tell you that even though it is the smaller job.
What paperwork do we get?
An Electrical Installation Certificate with the full schedule of test results, and the work notified as required.