Rewiring a house room by room

By Rewiring a house room by room, you can focus on one part of the house at a time, which minimises disruption. You can stay in your home while the work is carried out. Each room is rewired, tested, and made safe before proceeding to the next.

Make Rewiring Easier by Upgrading Your Home Room by Room

Houses require rewiring every 25-30 years. Rewiring every room at once can be messy, disruptive and difficult to manage.

Many homeowners choose to do the job room by room instead. This way, you can plan each part carefully and carry on living at home.

A room-by-room approach suits families, busy households, or anyone who wants less mess and stress.

It’s also easier to fit around other tasks, such as decorating or simple upgrades.

This method differs from Staged Rewiring, where the job can be broken down in other ways. Room-by-room rewiring keeps things simple and easy to follow.

How Room-by-Room Rewiring Works

Room-by-room Rewiring means the Electrician works on one area at a time.

1. Each room is cleared and prepared before any cables are changed.
2. The old wires are removed and new ones are installed (in accordance with the BS 7671, the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations).
3. New Sockets, switches, and light fittings are installed.
4. The Electrician checks and tests all the work in that room to make sure it’s safe.
5. Once the room is finished, the power is turned back on, and the space can be used as normal.
6. The work then moves to the next room, and the process starts again.

This keeps the rest of your house usable while the Rewiring is done step by step.

Pros and Cons: Rewiring the Whole Property vs Room by Room

When you need new wiring, you can choose to rewire your entire house at once or do it room by room. Each way has its pros and cons:

Rewiring the Whole Property

Pros:

• All wiring is updated simultaneously, so the job is completed quickly.
• May cost less overall (fewer visits)
• Only one period of disruption in your home

Cons:

• More mess and upheaval, as every room is affected.
• You may need to move out or clear the whole house.
• It can feel overwhelming, especially in busy homes.
• Higher upfront cost, as you pay for everything together.

Rewiring Room by Room

Pros:

• Less disruption, as you only clear one room at a time.
• You can stay in your home while the work is done.
• Easier to plan around your life and budget.

Cons:

• Takes longer to finish the whole house.
• It may cost slightly more (more visits)
• Requires more planning

Which Room Should You Start With?

When rewiring a house, the first port of call is usually the Consumer Unit. This is where the main power supply comes into your home, and it controls all the circuits.

Installing a new consumer unit at the start makes it easier and safer to connect new wiring as the work moves through each room.

After the consumer unit is in place, the first room often depends on your needs, requirements and plans.

Electricians often choose to tackle the kitchen or bathroom early, as these rooms use more electricity and often need the most updates.

Bedrooms and living rooms may follow, as they are usually simpler to update.

Sometimes, safety is the main reason for Rewiring. If a room has old or faulty wiring, your Electrician may suggest dealing with it first.

Every household is different, your Electrician will determine the best order of rooms to Rewire and ensure the most important areas are made safe as early as possible.

Practical Steps for Each Room

Each room requires a few simple steps before the Rewiring begins. First, furniture is moved or covered to protect it from dust and debris. Carpets and flooring are usually covered as well.

Floorboards or carpets may be lifted to access or replace cables. Walls might need to be modified to accommodate new wires, switches, or sockets.

Once the old wiring is removed, new cables are run where needed. Sockets and light switches are fitted in the right places for easy use. All the work in that room is thoroughly checked and tested to ensure it’s safe.

Once the new wiring is in place and tested, floorboards or carpets are replaced. Plaster or paintwork is repaired where needed.

The room is then ready to use, and work can move to the next area.

Managing Day-to-Day Life During Work

Rewiring a house room by room makes it much easier to live at home while the work is done.

You only need to clear one space at a time, so the rest of your house stays much the same. There is no need to move out, pack away everything or cover your furniture/possessions/floors all at once.

It helps to plan with your Electrician which rooms will be out of use and for how long.

Good planning helps keep daily life running smoothly and makes the job less stressful for everyone.

Safety & Regulations

Safety is always the top priority in any electrical work. Each room must be rewired by the latest wiring rules, as set out in BS 7671, the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations.

Only a certified Electrician should carry out this job. Every part of the work must be tested before the room is used again.

When a room is finished, you should get an Electrical Installation Certificate. This shows the work is safe and meets all the proper standards.

If the job is part of a larger project, such as a full rewire, your Electrician may also notify Building Control (if required) and provide a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate.

These documents may be useful if you ever sell your home, as they show the work was done properly.

Get A Quote For Room By Room Rewiring

If you live in Essex and are interested in room-by-room Rewiring, please contact us for a free, no-obligation quote. Please use the phone number or email address below.