How Long Does a House Rewire Take?

If you are planning a house rewire, one of the first things you will want to know is how disruptive it is going to be. How long will the electricians be working in the property? Will you need to move out? When will you have full power again? This guide answers those questions so you can plan with confidence.

What affects how long a rewire takes

No two properties are the same, and the duration of a rewire depends on several factors working together.

Size of the property. The more rooms there are, the more circuits need to be installed. A one-bedroom flat will be completed significantly faster than a four-bedroom house spread across three floors.

Construction type. Timber floors with accessible voids and stud partition walls are far quicker to rewire than solid concrete floors and solid brick walls. Where cables cannot be run through voids, they must be chased into plaster, which adds time to both the electrical work and the subsequent making good.

Condition of the existing wiring. Older properties, particularly those built before the 1970s, may have rubber-insulated or lead-sheathed wiring that degrades over time. Where old cables are difficult to trace, stripping them out takes longer. Properties where wiring has been added to by different tradespeople over the decades can also be more complex to work through.

Whether the property is occupied. An empty, unfurnished property is always quicker to rewire. When rooms are furnished, carpets need to be lifted and replaced, and the electrician must work around belongings at every stage.

Scope of the work. A full rewire from scratch takes longer than a partial rewire or an upgrade to specific areas. If you are also adding EV charging points, additional outdoor circuits, or a home office setup, this adds to the overall duration.

As a general guide, a one or two-bedroom flat might be completed in a few days, while a three or four-bedroom house typically takes around five to seven working days for the first stage alone. A second stage follows later, after other trades have finished.

The two stages of a rewire

A house rewire happens in two distinct stages, and understanding this helps you plan around the work.

First fix is when the cables are run through the property. Floorboards are lifted, walls are chased or drilled, and the new wiring is installed but not yet connected. This is the most disruptive phase. It creates dust and noise throughout the property, and you will be without power to certain circuits for periods during this stage.

Second fix comes after plastering and making good have been completed by a separate trade. At this point, the electrician returns to install the consumer unit, fit sockets, switches, and ceiling roses, and connect everything up. Every circuit is then tested in full accordance with BS 7671: Requirements for Electrical Installations (the IET Wiring Regulations), and an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued on completion.

The gap between first and second fix depends on how quickly plastering and drying out takes place, which is outside the electrician’s control. In practice, this means the total duration of a rewire project from first fix to certification can span several weeks when you account for the other trades in between.

Will you need to move out?

This depends on your circumstances and the size of the property.

For a small flat, it may be manageable to stay during first fix, working around the disruption room by room. For a larger house, first fix can feel overwhelming if you are living there at the same time: multiple rooms out of action, dust throughout, and limited power during working hours.

Moving out during first fix is worth considering if the property is large, if you have young children, or if you work from home and need consistent power and quiet. The best approach is to discuss this with your electrician before work begins so you can plan accordingly.

Many homeowners choose to time a rewire alongside a broader renovation, when the house is already stripped back and temporarily unoccupied. This is often the most efficient approach, as it removes the need to work around furniture and finished surfaces.

Power during the rewire

During first fix, the electrician will need to isolate circuits to work safely. This means periods without power to certain areas of the house, and in some cases to the whole property during parts of the day.

A good electrician will discuss this with you before starting work and agree on an approach that keeps disruption to a minimum. Temporary supplies or partial live circuits can sometimes be maintained while work continues in other areas, and the electrician should be clear with you each day about what to expect.

Once second fix is complete and all circuits have been tested and signed off, the installation is energised and you have full power throughout the property.

Certification, notification, and what happens at the end

One aspect of a rewire that homeowners sometimes overlook is the certification and notification requirement that comes at the end.

Under Part P of the Building Regulations, a full rewire is notifiable work. This means it must be carried out by a registered competent person or notified to the local authority building control. A registered electrician will self-certify the work and submit the notification on your behalf, issuing you with an Electrical Installation Certificate on completion.

This document matters. You will need it for your buildings insurance, and it will be requested by solicitors when you sell the property. Make sure you ask for it and keep it with your other property documents.

Plan the rest of the work around the rewire

A rewire does not happen in isolation. Plastering, decorating, flooring, and carpeting all follow on from first fix. Getting the electrical cables installed before other trades start is the correct sequence, and it is worth factoring this into your overall project timeline from the start.

If you are unsure whether your property needs rewiring at all, it is worth reading about the signs that your home may need rewiring before committing to the work. An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the proper starting point if you have any doubts about the condition of your existing installation.

If you are already at the stage of planning the work and want to understand the financial side, our guide to house rewiring costs covers what is typically included and what affects the final figure.

Talk to Sparcford about your rewire

Planning a rewire is far less stressful when you have a clear picture of what the work involves and how it fits around your life. Sparcford carries out full and partial rewires across Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Wimbledon, Surbiton, and throughout South West London and Surrey.

We will assess your property, explain exactly what each stage involves, and give you a straightforward account of the process before any work begins.

Get in touch with Sparcford today and we will arrange a convenient time to visit your property and discuss your requirements.