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Electrical rewiring is a crucial aspect of maintaining safe and efficient electrical systems in homes, offices, and commercial buildings. Over time, electrical wiring deteriorates, becomes outdated, or no longer meets the growing demand of modern appliances and technology. A full rewire ensures that electrical circuits remain safe, comply with legal regulations, and meet the energy needs of the building.
If through a survey you have had it identified that your house should really be rewired then simply get in touch with Derbyshire Electrical Specialists to get a quote. If you're not sure if you do or rather should have your home rewired, that's fine too. We can carry out some tests and advise on the stated of your wiring in terms of safety and also in terms of any limitations it may currently provide in terms of what type of appliances or number of appliances can be connected safely and will work effectively.
Before starting a rewiring project, our electrician will carry out an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). The purpose of this is to evaluate the condition of the existing wiring. If issues like outdated materials (e.g., lead, rubber, or aluminium wiring), damaged insulation, or overloaded circuits are detected, a full or partial rewire may be required to ensure your home is safe and electrical performance is not compromised.
Once rewiring has been agreed the next step is to remove the existing electrical wiring. For a complete house rewire this will involve accessing walls, ceilings, and floors to extract old cables. Whilst we try to be as careful as possible there will be mess and damage to walls and potentially floors and ceilings depending on how the old wire has been run and connected through the building. We take care to avoid damaging any structural aspects of the house and this is unlikely to happen but there will be cosmetic damage. This is why many house rewiring projects are taken on board when following a house purchase of an alder property. If done as one of the first jobs then patching up afterwards form part of the decoration process and avoids having to re-do cosmetic touching up in the future.
With a full house rewire new cables, sockets, switches, and consumer units (fuse boxes) are installed. Current wiring standards will include:
Your outdated fuse box will be replaced with a modern consumer unit fitted with Residual Current Devices (RCDs) and Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs), ensuring greater protection against electrical faults.
Once the rewiring is complete, our electrician performs a number of safety tests to ensure everything functions correctly. A certificate, such as an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), will be issued to confirm compliance with UK wiring regulations (BS 7671).
During a full rewiring process, power will need to be turned off for several days or even a couple of weeks, depending on the scale of the project.
This can be disruptive, requiring temporary heat and lighting solutions or even alternative accommodation.
The process will create a lot of dust so please ensure that if you are leaving items in your house there are properly covered. It is likely that you will be decorating afterwards so the effort will not be wasted.
It is worth having a discussion about you plans following rewiring as our electricians can back fill the chases in the walls created by replacing wires. This can be an additional time consuming process waiting for plaster to dry and reapplying after shrinkage. If you are having your walls replastered anyway as part of your decoration and renovation process then our electrician will be able to save time, and there therefore save you money, if the final flush wall finishing is done by the pasterer.
Rewiring in commercial and office settings involves additional complexities compared to residential properties. The scale, regulatory requirements, and usage patterns differ significantly. Commercial buildings often have larger electrical loads due to numerous computers, industrial equipment, and HVAC systems.
They will have multiple circuits, and three-phase power supplies are commonly required, unlike the standard single-phase supply in homes.
Whilst residential homes typically use ring main circuits and radial lighting circuits, offices and commercial buildings may use busbar trunking systems, structured cabling for networking, and dedicated circuits for IT equipment. Emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, and backup power systems are required in commercial environments, most of which aren't in residential homes.
Domestic wiring follows BS 7671 Wiring Regulations and Part P of the Building Regulations, for commercial properties must comply with Health and Safety at Work Act, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and fire safety laws.
Rewiring a house, depending on the size and amount being rewired can often be completed in few days or a couple of weeks maximum. It is not uncommon for the occupants to relocate in temporary accommodation whilst the work is being carried out until they know that they can access heat and light back in their own home.
However, office and commercial rewiring must be scheduled to minimise business disruption. This means that on office rewiring project needs more planning to ensure business continuation can function as much as practically possible, often requiring night shift work or phased installations. Office rewiring often involves upgrading to allow energy-efficient lighting systems, power factor correction, and load balancing to be introduced to reduce operational costs. Office and commercial buildings require fire-resistant cables, surge protection, and electrical risk assessments to protect staff and assets. Rewiring for smart building technology, including automated lighting and occupancy sensors, is also commonly integrated into office rewiring projects.
Rewiring a property is a complex and dangerous task that must be performed by a qualified professional. In the UK, electrical rewiring must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations, which governs electrical safety in dwellings.
So only competent electricians should carry out rewiring work. Ideally, they should be registered with one of the following organisations:
NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting)
NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers)
ELECSA
ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association)
These electricians are regularly assessed to ensure their work meets industry standards.
After completing a rewire, the electrician must issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and notify the local building control authority. If the work is not completed by a Part P registered electrician, it must be inspected and approved by building control.
Knowing when to rewire a house is essential for maintaining electrical safety. While there is no strict lifespan for electrical wiring, several indicators suggest it might be time for an upgrade.
1. Age of the Wiring
Homes wired before the 1980s may still have outdated systems that do not comply with modern safety standards.
Properties with rubber, lead, or fabric-insulated wiring are at high risk of deterioration and fire hazards.
2. Frequent Electrical Issues
Flickering lights, tripping breakers, and frequent blown fuses indicate an overloaded or faulty system.
Burning smells or discoloured sockets suggest overheating or electrical arcing.
3. Lack of Modern Safety Features
Absence of RCDs: Modern consumer units have RCDs that protect against electric shocks.
Two-pronged sockets: Older wiring may not have proper earthing, increasing the risk of electric shocks.
4. Home Renovations and Increased Electrical Demand
If you are planning major home renovations or installing high-power appliances, rewiring may be necessary to handle the additional load.
Smart home systems, electric vehicle chargers, and underfloor heating often require electrical upgrades.
5. Compliance with New Regulations
Electrical safety regulations evolve over time. If a property hasn’t been inspected for decades, a professional assessment is advisable - especially if you are looking to sell your home soon.
Our electricians are qualifies and expreinced in commercial and domestic rewiring.
As rewiring if often the start point of a major refurbishment they can call upon the other trades of Derbyshire Specialist Group so you only have to deal with one company, one invoice and one gaurantee. This can take a big stress factor from a major house renovation project.
At Derbyshire Electrical Specialists, we are committed to providing superior rewiring services in Derby and the surrounding areas of Derbyshire. With our experienced team of electricians we can provide objective guidance rewiring needs and implications. We aim to exceed your expectations and create a home or business meeting or exceeding current standard allowing you run modern and control modern appliances and smart systems easily and efficiently. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to assess your rewiring requirements.
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