Wiring doesn’t last forever. Cable insulation ages, homes ask far more of their electrics than they used to, and older installations were built to standards that have moved on a long way. Here are the signs that point to a rewire, and what happens if you go ahead.
Warning signs to look out for
Old cable types. Rubber-insulated, fabric-covered or lead-sheathed cable dates from decades ago and is well past its working life. Black rubber insulation goes brittle and crumbles, which exposes the conductors. If you spot any of these in the loft, under the floor or behind a switch, get the installation inspected.
An old fuse board. A wooden-backed board, a board full of rewireable fuses (the ones with fuse wire), or a mix of old boxes all point to an installation that hasn’t been updated in a long time.
No RCD protection. Modern installations use RCDs to cut the power quickly if someone touches something live. If your board has none, you’re missing one of the most important safety features in a home.
Scorch marks, burning smells or warm fittings. Discoloured sockets, a fishy or burning smell, or a switch or plug that feels warm can all mean a loose connection or overloaded cable. Treat these as urgent.
Lights that flicker or dim. Some flicker comes down to a bulb or dimmer, but if it happens across the house or when appliances switch on, the wiring may be struggling.
Breakers or fuses that keep going. Frequent tripping can be an appliance fault, but on an old installation it’s often failing insulation. Our post on why your electric keeps tripping explains how to tell the difference.
Not enough sockets. Extension leads and multi-way adaptors everywhere suggest the installation was never designed for how you use the house today.
Round-pin sockets or light switches on wooden pattresses. These are clear signs of very old wiring.
Age alone doesn’t decide it
A house built in the 1980s may be perfectly sound, and one rewired in the 1970s may not be. The only way to know is an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). An electrician tests every circuit and grades any defects. The report tells you whether the installation can be repaired and upgraded, or whether a rewire is the sensible option. Many of our rewires start this way. See our EICR and compliance service and our guide to EICR codes.
What a full rewire involves
A rewire is usually done in two stages.
First fix. Floorboards are lifted where needed, new cables are run through walls, floors and ceilings, and back boxes are fitted for sockets and switches. Walls are chased and made good afterwards. This is the messy stage.
Second fix. Once plastering is done, sockets, switches, lights and the new consumer unit go in. Every circuit is then tested and certified.
At the end you’ll receive an Electrical Installation Certificate. Because a rewire is notifiable work, the job is also notified to Building Control under Part P of the Building Regulations. As a registered competent person, we handle that for you.
How long does it take? Most three-bed houses take one to two weeks, depending on size, access, and whether you’re living there while the work goes on. An empty property is quicker and causes less disruption.
Plan the extras now. A rewire is the cheapest moment to add more sockets, USB points, outdoor power, data cabling, an EV charger supply or smart lighting. Adding them later means opening walls up again.
Living in the house during a rewire
It can be done. We work room by room, keep at least some power on at the end of each day, and protect floors and furniture. If you’re planning a wider renovation, it usually makes sense to rewire before plastering and decorating. Our refurbishment team can coordinate the trades so it all happens in the right order.
Book an inspection
If any of the signs above sound familiar, start with an EICR. Positive Contractors is an NICEIC Approved Contractor based in Chigwell, covering London and Essex. Call 020 8227 0035 or get a quote.
We cover London and Essex, with our own engineers working every day across Chigwell, Loughton, Buckhurst Hill, Woodford, Ilford, Romford, Brentwood and Epping.