Allman Electrical Services were really most excellent. I would recommend them to everybody.
If you are planning a full rewire of your home, you may be understandably nervous about the experience.
As experienced rewire electricians in Bromsgrove, here at Allman Electrical we decided to take the mystery out of the process and explain exactly what to expect during a full rewire.
What is a full rewire?
A full rewire is the complete replacement of the electrical installation at your home. It will involve every room in your home, and you should expect some dust, noise and disruption. Your electrician will be removing old electrical components and replacing them with new ones. Light switches and light fittings, plug sockets and your fuse board will all be replaced whilst new wiring is installed. To enable the rewiring to take place floorboards will need to be lifted, loft spaces entered, and channels will need to be cut into your walls.
How can I prepare for a full rewire?
To best prepare for a full rewire you should begin by clearing as much space in each room as possible. Pack away any loose or breakable items and remove any furniture that you can. Don’t panic if you can’t put your furniture in storage, let your electrician know and they will plan to work around things. Many homeowners will choose to stay elsewhere during a rewire as your home will be, at least in part, a building site. Certain areas will be out of bounds and the electricity will be cut off to enable the electrician to work safely. At Allman Electrical in Bromsgrove, we are happy to carry out a lived-in rewire but some electricians do prefer you to move out during the process. If you choose to stay at home, it will add some time to the rewiring process.
How long does a rewire take?
The amount of time a rewire will take will depend on several factors including size of home, complexity of circuits, whether it is a lived-in rewire and the amount of people working on site. For an average 3 bed home, for a lived in rewire with one to two electricians on site you would be looking at 10– 12 days. The electrician who carries out your rewire will give you a more accurate estimate based on your specific circumstances.
The rewire process
Although each electrician will have their own way of working in general a rewire proceeds along these lines:
- The 1st step in rewiring your home will be the marking out of all your new socket and switch positions. Then the area the electrician is working in will be covered in dustsheets. Floorboards will be lifted and new chases cut into your walls.
- Next, cabling will be installed and the hardware needed for sockets and lights will be fitted. Once this is done your new fuse board will be installed.
- The next phase in the rewire is for the plasterer to attend to make good the walls ready for the second fix.
- Light switches, socket faceplates and finishing touches are installed and the electrician will test all the circuits to make sure everything is functioning correctly. After this everything is tidied up and your home is yours once again!
We hope this guide to rewiring your home has helped to demystify the process and put your mind at ease. If you are based in the Bromsgrove area and would like to find out more about what a full rewire entails, contact us today. Our fully qualified, friendly electricians will be happy to help.