Rewiring: when it's necessary, how it works and what it costs

Wiring is the only part of a home that can literally catch fire when neglected. If your flat or house remembers the last century, it most likely runs on aluminium wires sized for a completely different era — before kettles, induction hobs, air conditioners and chargers.

When rewiring is necessary

• Aluminium wiring (pre-~1990): becomes brittle, loosens in terminals and sparks — the top cause of electrical fires.
• Breakers tripping when several appliances run at once.
• No residual-current device — mandatory today for socket circuits and bathrooms.
• Too few sockets and extension-cord spiders around the home.
• You're renovating: refreshing surfaces while leaving old wires beneath is a wasted chance.

How rewiring proceeds

1. Design: socket, switch and light placement around your furniture and life — the most important step.
2. Chasing and cabling: new copper runs in chases, boxes, feeds for induction, oven, AC, optionally data cabling.
3. New distribution board: breakers, RCDs, surge protection.
4. Making good, plasters, painting and fitting sockets and switches.
5. Inspection report: without it, a new installation isn't considered complete.

Cost and duration

Prices excl. VAT, including material, chasing and making good; end fittings (switches, lights) per your choice.

Think ahead about

• You can never have too many sockets — plan with reserve, adding later is expensive.
• Lay conduits for data, TV and outdoor points (terrace socket, wallbox readiness).
• Rewiring = dust and chasing; ideally combine it with a full renovation.

We'll price the wiring as part of your flat or house renovation — in the online calculator it's a separate item.