House Rewiring in Chatham, Medway and Maidstone

Thinking about upgrading your house wiring?

A full house rewire can significantly improve safety, efficiency, and the overall value of your property.

We offer a full electrical rewiring service to customers in Chatham, the Medway Towns and Maidstone.

What is a House Rewire?

House rewiring is the process of replacing your entire home's electrical system with new wiring, sockets, lighting and other electrical components.

What Does a House Rewire Involve?

This involves removing old wiring, installing new cables, and upgrading the consumer unit (fuse box). This generally includes:

  • Removing old wiring 

  • Installing new electrical cables 

  • Replacing back boxes on switches and sockets 

  • Rewiring power and lighting circuits 

  • Rewiring telephone and TV aerial sockets 

  • Adding or moving switches, sockets, and light fixtures 

  • Adding cabling for new technology or to transform your home into a smart home

  • Testing that all works correctly 

Is it Worth Rewiring a House?

Rewiring is usually necessary when the existing wiring is outdated, unsafe, or unable to handle modern electrical loads. This is typically the case in older houses where the homeowners have not updated their electrical system since the house was built.

Outdated wiring can be prone to overheating and short circuits, which can be a serious hazard. Modern wiring, on the other hand, is designed to withstand higher currents and is equipped with safety features like circuit breakers.

Rewiring can also save you money on your electricity bills. This is due to the fact that older wiring may have high resistance, leading to energy loss and increased electricity bills. New wiring, especially if it's paired with energy-efficient appliances, can help you save on energy costs.

If you’re thinking of selling your home, then a rewired home is more attractive to potential buyers. It demonstrates that the property is well-maintained and up-to-date with modern standards. This can increase your home's value and make it more appealing to buyers in a competitive market.

Bedroom Socket Rewiring

As an example of how I would approach rewiring in a house, I’ve broken down the steps for doing a bedroom socket rewire.

Click on each accordion to view the steps.

  • Firstly, I will conduct a thorough inspection of the existing wiring and socket layout of your home.

    I will discuss with you the plan to determine the desired number of sockets, their locations and making sure the load will be able to cope with the protective devices.

    I then ensure that all required materials and tools are on hand (e.g., cables, new sockets, conduit, etc.).

    The final stage of the planing is to plan a safe working path for routing cables while avoiding any structural elements of your home.

  • Before any work begins, it's crucial to isolate the power supply. It’s essential to communicate this with anyone in the household as a sudden power loss could affect their work or safety.

    This is done by switching off the main power supply and then using a voltage tester to confirm the circuit is isolated, to ensure a safe work environment.

    I will then place a lock-off kit on the circuit breaker to prevent any accidental activation.

  • The next step involves removing the old sockets and wiring. I will carefully remove the existing sockets and wiring, keeping the area clean and organised. I will also dispose of any old wiring that is damaged or no longer meets current electrical standards.

    I will remove any old back boxes, if necessary, and check for the structural integrity of the walls.

  • New back boxes are installed for the sockets as per the planned layout.

    For solid walls, I will chase the walls to install conduit where necessary, ensuring the wiring remains protected.

    The conduits are then secured to the walls and routed back to the consumer unit or nearest junction box.

     

  • Next, I’ll measure and cut the required length of cables, allowing a bit of extra slack for connection.

    The cables are then routed through the conduit to each socket, ensuring a tidy and secure installation.

    If necessary, I will label the cables to maintain an organised system for future maintenance.

  • Each socket is then connected using the appropriate wiring configuration for live, neutral, and earth.

    Then I secure each socket to its back box, ensuring all connections are tight and properly insulated, and test each connection to ensure there are no loose or exposed wires.

  • With the power still off and using a calibrated multimeter, I carry out a ‘dead test’ to ensure no loose connections are present.

    Next, I turn on the power and test each socket to verify the wiring and its functionality.

    Finally, I complete an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for the rewire work.

  • The clean up is one of the most important parts! I always ensure that all dust and debris are cleared from the workspace.

    I will then explain the new socket layout to you and answer any questions you may have. I will provide documentation, including the EIC, remind the you of the warranty and contact details in case you need any follow-up assistance.

How Much Does A House Rewire Cost?

For houses in the UK, it typically costs between £3,500 and £10,000, depending on the complexity of the rewiring and the size of the house.

A two-bedroom house in Chatham for example, with a standard layout, will cost around £4,800.

You can use our handy rewire cost calculator below to find out an approximate price for a full house rewire in the areas that we cover, including Chatham, Medway Towns and Maidstone: