A full house rewire involves removing and replacing all the fixed wiring throughout a property—the cables running within walls, floors and ceilings between the consumer unit and every socket, switch, light fitting, and fixed appliance circuit. It is one of the most significant pieces of electrical work a property can receive, and in most cases it is carried out because the existing wiring has reached the end of its safe working life.
Properties with rubber-insulated or fabric-covered wiring—common in UK homes built or wired before the mid-1960s—are likely to be overdue for rewiring. This type of cable becomes brittle with age; the insulation can crack and crumble, exposing live conductors and creating a risk of electric shock or fire.
PVC-insulated wiring installed in the 1970s may also have deteriorated if it has been subjected to sustained heat, mechanical damage, or rodent activity. During a full rewire, the electrician removes the old wiring and installs new cable throughout the property, along with a new consumer unit fitted with modern protective devices.
Socket and switch positions can be added, repositioned, or upgraded at the same time, and light fittings and their associated wiring can be moved to suit a revised layout. Preparation is an important part of the process.
Cable runs typically require chasing into plasterwork, lifting floorboards, or threading through ceiling voids, so rooms need to be cleared before work begins. Once the wiring is in place and all circuits have been tested, an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is issued.
This must be submitted to building control through the electrician's competent persons scheme.