Rewiring a House: How Long Does It Take and What's Involved?

A full rewire is one of the more disruptive jobs a homeowner takes on, which is exactly why it helps to know what you're actually signing up for before work starts.

How long does it actually take

As a rough guide: a one or two-bed flat typically takes 3-5 working days, a three-bed semi around 5-8 days, and a larger four-bed-plus house 1-2 weeks. That's for the electrical work itself; add time either side for any plastering, decorating and making good that follows, which is often the part people underestimate.

First fix vs second fix

First fix is the structural stage: cables run through walls, floors and ceilings, back boxes fitted, before plastering happens. Second fix comes after decorating: sockets, switches, light fittings and the consumer unit itself are connected and made live, followed by testing and certification. This is why a rewire is usually timed around a renovation rather than done to an otherwise finished room: the walls need to be open.

Signs a full rewire is needed, rather than a partial fix

• Wiring insulated in fabric or rubber rather than modern PVC (common in properties last rewired before the 1960s-70s).

• Round-pin sockets, or a mix of round-pin and modern square-pin.

• A fuse box using rewireable fuses rather than circuit breakers, with no RCD protection.

• Frequent tripping, flickering lights, or warm sockets and switch plates.

• A recent EICR that's come back with multiple C1 or C2 codes across different circuits, rather than one isolated issue. See ourlandlord EICR guidefor what those codes mean.

What to expect during the work

Expect dust, and expect to be without power to affected circuits for periods during first fix. Most electricians will keep at least lighting or a single socket circuit live where they can. Book decorating in after, not before; even careful first fix work damages plaster and paintwork. A full rewire ends with an Electrical Installation Certificate, which you should keep for future EICRs, insurance, or when you come to sell.

If you or your electrician are pricing up a rewire, both branches can put together a full materials list, cable,consumer units, RCBOs and accessories, first and second fix parts, so nothing's missing on day one. Opena trade account for trade pricing across the whole job, or get a free quote before you start.