A full house rewire is one of the most significant electrical jobs you can have done — but it is also one of the most important for safety. If your London home is more than 25–30 years old and has never been rewired, it is worth understanding what is involved, what the warning signs are, and what you can expect to pay.

What Is a House Rewire?

A house rewire involves replacing all the fixed electrical wiring throughout your property — the cables running inside your walls, floors, and ceilings. This includes the wiring to every socket, light fitting, switch, and appliance circuit, as well as the consumer unit (fuse board) itself.

It does not typically include the appliances or light fittings themselves, though these can be updated at the same time.

Warning Signs Your Home Needs Rewiring

You do not always need to wait for an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) to tell you there is a problem. Watch out for these signs:

Visible warning signs:

• Rubber or fabric-covered cables (pre-1960s wiring)
• Round-pin sockets or old-style light switches
• Fuse wire in the consumer unit rather than modern circuit breakers
• Scorch marks or discolouration around sockets or switches
• Flickering lights that are not caused by a loose bulb

Functional warning signs:

• Fuses blowing frequently
• Sockets that feel warm to the touch
• A burning smell with no obvious source
• Tripping RCDs or circuit breakers regularly

If your home has any of these, book an EICR immediately. A qualified electrician can assess whether a full rewire is needed or whether targeted repairs will suffice.

How Old Is Too Old?

As a general rule:

• Pre-1966 homes — almost certainly need rewiring if not already done. Wiring from this era used rubber insulation that degrades over time and becomes a fire risk.
• 1966–1990 homes — may have PVC-insulated wiring that is still serviceable, but should be inspected. Consumer units from this era often lack RCD protection.
• Post-1990 homes — generally fine if maintained, but should still have a periodic EICR every 10 years (or every 5 years for rented properties).

What Does a House Rewire Involve?

Here is what to expect when Olectrics Ltd carries out a full rewire:

1. Initial Survey

We visit the property, assess the existing installation, and provide a detailed quote. We will discuss the scope of work, timescales, and any specific requirements you have.

2. First Fix

Cables are run through the property — this involves lifting floorboards, chasing channels into walls, and threading cables through ceiling voids. It is the most disruptive part of the job.

3. Consumer Unit Installation

A new consumer unit is fitted with modern RCD and RCBO protection, meeting current BS 7671 wiring regulations.

4. Second Fix

Sockets, switches, light fittings, and other accessories are fitted and connected. The installation is tested at each stage.

5. Testing and Certification

Once complete, we carry out a full test of the installation and issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) — the document you will need for building regulations sign-off and for future property sales.

How Long Does a House Rewire Take?

Timescales depend on the size of the property:

Property Size	Approximate Duration
1-bed flat	2–3 days
2-bed house	3–4 days
3-bed house	4–6 days
4-bed house	6–8 days
Larger properties	By quotation

You will generally need to be out of the property during the first fix, as it can be dusty and disruptive. We always aim to minimise disruption and leave the property clean and tidy.

How Much Does a House Rewire Cost in London?

Rewiring costs in London are higher than the national average due to labour rates and the complexity of older properties. As a rough guide:

• 1-bed flat: £2,500–£4,000
• 2-bed house: £3,500–£5,500
• 3-bed house: £5,000–£8,000
• 4-bed house: £7,000–£12,000+

These figures include materials, labour, testing, and certification. They do not include redecoration — you will need to allow for replastering and repainting after the first fix.

Always get at least two or three quotes, and make sure any electrician you use is NICEIC or NAPIT registered. This is not just good practice — it is required for building regulations compliance.

Do You Need to Notify Building Control?

Yes. A full rewire is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. As NICEIC-registered contractors, Olectrics Ltd can self-certify the work, which means we notify building control on your behalf and you receive a completion certificate. You do not need to involve the council separately.

Rewiring and Rented Properties

If you are a landlord, an outdated electrical installation is a legal liability. Since 2020, all new tenancies in England require an EICR, and the installation must be brought up to standard if it fails. A rewire may be the most cost-effective solution if the existing installation has multiple failures.

Why Choose Olectrics Ltd?

Olectrics Ltd is NICEIC and NAPIT approved, covering all 24 London boroughs from our base in Kew. We have rewired properties across SW London and beyond — from Victorian terraces in Wandsworth to modern flats in Canary Wharf.

Every rewire we carry out is fully tested, certified, and notified to building control. We provide a detailed quote upfront with no hidden costs, and our team works cleanly and efficiently to minimise disruption to your home.

Ready to find out if your home needs rewiring? Call us on 07946 436585 or use our contact form to book a free survey.