Insulation breakdown
Older cable insulation becomes brittle with age and heat cycling, increasing the risk of exposed conductors inside walls and voids.
House rewiresin Locks Heath &South Hampshire
A tired or unsafe electrical installation gets replaced with a properly designed, tested system, backed by an EIC and a clean, tidy site every day of the job.
Rated 5.0 on Google · 12+ years in the trade · NAPIT registered
NAPIT registered
Work certified to current standards
18th Edition
BS 7671 wiring regulations
£5m / £10m cover
Public and employer's liability
5.0 on Google
Rated by local customers
12+ years
Experience in the trade
Overview
What a rewire involves
A house rewire replaces the cables, accessories and, where needed, the consumer unit that make up a property's electrical installation. It's a bigger job than most homeowners expect: floorboards lift, chases get cut into plaster for new cable runs, and every socket, switch and light fitting is removed and replaced. Done properly, the result is a system designed around how the property is actually used, not patched together over decades of small additions.
Rewires are usually needed on older properties, particularly those with cabling from before the 1970s, houses that have had multiple uncoordinated alterations, or homes where an Electrical Installation Condition Report has flagged widespread deterioration rather than a handful of isolated faults. It's also common ahead of a renovation, extension, or when converting a loft or garage into habitable space, where the existing circuits were never designed to carry the extra load.
A rewire is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations. As a NAPIT registered contractor, Hardi Electrical LTD notifies building control directly on qualifying jobs and issues an Electrical Installation Certificate once the work is tested and signed off, so there's a paper trail that matters at resale and for insurance purposes.
Full rewires
Every circuit in the property replaced, including the consumer unit where required.
Partial rewires
Targeted replacement of specific circuits or areas, such as a kitchen extension or upper floor.
Pre-renovation rewires
Cabling first-fixed ahead of plastering, so sockets and lighting land exactly where a refurbishment needs them.
Older cabling replacement
Removal of outdated cable types and accessories that no longer meet current safety expectations.
What happens if it is left
Why old wiring becomes a real risk
Electrical installations don't fail all at once. They degrade gradually, and the warning signs are easy to dismiss as quirks of an older house rather than symptoms of a system that's reaching the end of its safe working life.
Undersized circuits
Circuits designed for a handful of appliances now carry far more load than originally intended, leading to overheating at connections.
No earthing or RCD protection
Many older installations lack modern earthing arrangements or RCD protection, removing a key safety layer against electric shock.
Hidden previous work
DIY or unqualified alterations over the years are often buried behind plaster, with no certification and no way to verify they're safe.
Common mistakes we are called out to fix
- Assuming a rewire can be judged from a quick look at the consumer unit alone, without inspecting circuits.
- Patching individual faults repeatedly instead of addressing an installation that's failing as a whole.
- Using an uncertified installer for cost reasons, leaving no EIC and no notification to building control.
- Leaving loft, garage or outbuilding circuits out of scope when they were part of the same ageing installation.
Our process
How a rewire is carried out
Every rewire starts with understanding the property and how it's used, then moves through design, first fix, second fix and certification in a sequence built to minimise disruption.
- 01
Site visit and scope
An assessment of the existing installation, the number of circuits needed, and how the property is used, so the quote reflects the actual job.
- 02
Written quote
A written quote is provided based on that scope, priced individually rather than off a generic rate card.
- 03
First fix
New cabling is run to every socket, switch and light position, with floorboards lifted and plaster chased where required.
- 04
Second fix
Consumer unit, sockets, switches and fittings are connected and terminated once plastering and decoration allow.
- 05
Testing and certification
Full testing to 18th Edition requirements, with an Electrical Installation Certificate issued and building control notified directly where the work is notifiable.
What you get
What a properly managed rewire delivers
Faster overall project
Coordinated first and second fix stages keep the electrical work in step with the rest of a renovation, rather than causing delays.
Safer installation
Modern earthing, RCD and circuit protection replace ageing arrangements that no longer meet current safety expectations.
Longer service life
New cabling and accessories are designed for decades of reliable use, not a stopgap repair.
Costed to the job
Every rewire is priced individually after the scope is understood, so the quote reflects what's actually being installed.
Dependable results
Circuits are designed around present-day loads, from kitchen appliances to home working setups, reducing nuisance tripping.
Documented compliance
An EIC and, where needed, building control notification give a clear record for solicitors, surveyors and insurers.
In detail
Materials, methods and property types
Cable and containment choices
Modern rewires use twin-and-earth cable to BS 6004 as standard, sized and routed according to the load each circuit carries and the method of installation, whether that's in stud walls, under floors or within masonry. Where cables run through joists or need mechanical protection, appropriate containment and protective measures are used in line with BS 7671.
Consumer units are specified to suit the number of circuits and the level of protection the property needs, with RCBOs used where circuit-by-circuit discrimination is the right approach rather than a single RCD covering multiple circuits.
Full versus partial scope
A full rewire replaces every circuit in the property, which is typically the right approach where an EICR has identified widespread issues or where cabling predates modern standards throughout. A partial rewire targets specific areas, such as a single storey, a kitchen extension, or circuits feeding a converted loft, and is appropriate where the rest of the installation has already been assessed as sound.
Deciding between the two comes down to the condition of what's already there, which is why a site visit and, where relevant, an inspection report inform the scope before any quote is written.
Working around occupied and renovated properties
In an occupied home, rewires are sequenced room by room where possible to keep some power and lighting available, with clear communication about when specific circuits will be off. In a property undergoing renovation, first fix is timed to land before plastering, avoiding the need to chase into finished walls later.
Every job is left clean and tidy at the end of each working day, with dust and debris from chasing and lifting contained as far as practically possible.
Domestic versus outbuilding and garage circuits
Rewires on the main dwelling are the most common request, but garages, outbuildings and converted spaces fed from the same original installation are often included in scope, since their cabling is usually the same age and condition as the rest of the property.
Recent work
Photographs from jobs we have completed
Scroll across to see more of our completed work.
Common questions
Answers before you get in touch
How much does a rewire cost?
There's no fixed figure, because every property differs in size, number of circuits and accessibility. A site visit establishes the scope and a written quote follows.
How long does a rewire take?
Timescales depend on the size of the property and whether it's occupied during the work. First fix, second fix and testing are sequenced to suit the property and, where relevant, the wider renovation programme.
What's the process from enquiry to completion?
It starts with a site visit and written quote, moves through first fix cabling, second fix accessories, then full testing and certification before handover.
Will I get a certificate for the work?
Yes. An Electrical Installation Certificate is issued once the rewire has been tested, and building control is notified directly where the work is notifiable under Part P.
How long should a rewire last?
A correctly installed rewire is designed to give decades of reliable service, though periodic inspection and testing is still recommended to confirm the installation remains in good condition.
When can you start a rewire?
Availability is confirmed once the scope is agreed. The team works Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and calls to 07730 498814 are returned during those hours.
Do you cover my area?
Yes, rewires are carried out across Locks Heath, Warsash, Hedge End, Southampton, Fareham, Titchfield, Park Gate and Whiteley.
Can a rewire be done in stages?
Yes, a partial rewire can address specific circuits or areas first, provided the rest of the installation has been assessed and is safe to remain in service in the interim.
Related services
Other work we take on
Next step
Get a written quote for your rewire
Tell us about the property and we'll arrange a site visit, then provide a written quote. Call 07730 498814 or send an enquiry.
07730 498814
hardielectrical@outlook.com
Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm
NAPIT registered · £5m public liability · £10m employer’s liability