House Rewiring FAQs

How many years before a house needs rewiring?

There's no fixed lifespan. Modern PVC-insulated wiring in good condition can last for decades, so age alone isn't the deciding factor. What matters is condition. We recommend having your electrics inspected every 10 years if you own your home, and every 5 years if you rent it out, which is a legal requirement for landlords in England. If an inspection finds deteriorated cables, no RCD protection or serious faults, a rewire is usually the safest option. Homes still on rubber-insulated, fabric-covered or lead-sheathed cable should be rewired.

How much does it cost to rewire a house in Milton Keynes?

A full rewire of a typical 3-bed semi in Milton Keynes usually costs between £5,000 and £7,500, including a new consumer unit, smoke alarms, testing and certification. A 1-bed flat is typically £3,000 to £4,500, and a 4-bed detached home £7,000 to £10,000. The exact price depends on the size of the house, access under floors and in the loft, your wall types, and how many sockets and lights you want. We confirm a fixed price after a free survey.

How long does a house rewire take?

Most occupied 3-bed houses take 7 to 10 working days. A flat can be done in 3 to 5 days, and a large detached or period home can take 2 to 3 weeks. Rewiring an empty house is quicker. We'll give you a room-by-room schedule with your quote.

Can I live in my house while it's being rewired?

Yes, and most of our customers do. We work room by room, keep dust sheets down and restore power at the end of every day, so you'll always have lights, a working fridge and somewhere to sleep. It does help to clear the rooms we're working in each day, and we'll tell you in advance which ones they'll be.

How much does it cost to rewire a house with plaster walls?

Solid plaster walls usually mean more chasing (cutting channels for cables) and more making good afterwards, which can add 10 to 20 percent to the cost compared with a house where cables can run behind plasterboard or under suspended floors. We keep chasing to a minimum by using floor voids and the loft wherever we can, and we fill all chases so walls are ready for decorating.

How are houses wired in the UK?

Most UK homes have a consumer unit that feeds separate circuits for lighting, sockets and high-power appliances like cookers and electric showers. Socket circuits are usually either ring circuits, where the cable loops from the board around the sockets and back, or radial circuits, which run out from the board to each socket. Every circuit should have protection against overload and, in modern installations, RCD protection against electric shock.

What are the current UK wiring regulations?

Electrical installations in the UK are designed and installed to BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations, currently the 18th Edition with its amendments. In England, most domestic electrical work, including rewires and consumer unit replacements, must also comply with Part P of the Building Regulations. That means it must either be carried out by an electrician registered with a competent person scheme or be inspected by Building Control. We notify every rewire we complete.

What are the signs my house needs rewiring?

Common warning signs include an old fuse box with rewireable fuses, no RCD protection, black rubber or fabric-covered cables, round-pin or skirting-mounted sockets, scorch marks or warm sockets, flickering lights, frequently tripping breakers and not enough sockets. An EICR or homebuyer survey that records C1 or C2 faults is also a strong signal. If you've noticed any of these, book an inspection.