A full electrical rewire is one of the most effective ways to improve safety and reliability in any property. For homeowners experiencing ageing electrics, outdated wiring, or frequent faults, understanding what happens during the rewiring process helps set clear expectations and gives confidence in the work being carried out.
How a Full Rewire Updates and Protects Your Electrical System
Rewiring a property involves replacing old or unsafe cabling, installing updated circuits, and fitting modern safety protection throughout the home. It is a detailed process that ensures your electrics are compliant with the latest standards, capable of supporting modern appliances, and far less likely to cause disruptions or hazards.
Once your electrician has assessed the existing installation, they create a plan that outlines which circuits need replacing, the best positioning for new sockets, and any areas where additional upgrades may be beneficial. This careful approach ensures all work is completed safely and efficiently.
Initial Inspection and Testing
Before work begins, your electrician carries out a thorough inspection of the property. This includes checking the age of the wiring, identifying any damaged cables, and assessing the condition of the fuse box. They will also look for signs such as worn insulation or outdated materials that could pose a risk. This stage helps determine the full scope of the rewire and ensures a detailed plan is in place.
Removing Old Wiring and Installing New Cabling
The first major step of the rewire involves removing old wiring and installing new cables throughout the property. This is done in stages to keep disruption under control. Channels are created in walls or ceilings where required, allowing the new wiring to be installed neatly and safely. Each new circuit is positioned to support modern electrical demands and ensure balanced distribution across the home.
Updating Sockets, Switches and Lighting Points
Once the wiring is in place, your electrician replaces old sockets, switches, and fittings with modern, safer alternatives. This is an ideal opportunity to improve the layout of your electrics and add more convenient power points. New lighting points can also be installed to support updated designs or energy efficient LED options.
Installing a Modern Consumer Unit
A full rewire often includes replacing the existing consumer unit with a modern version that meets current safety regulations. This is an important part of the upgrade, as older fuse boxes may not offer the level of protection required for today’s electrical demands. A new consumer unit provides stronger and more reliable safety features designed to reduce the risk of electric shock, overheating and circuit faults.
Modern units include devices such as RCDs and RCBOs, which play a key role in protecting your property. An RCD, or Residual Current Device, constantly monitors the flow of electricity in your circuits. If it detects an imbalance, such as electricity leaking to earth due to a damaged cable or faulty appliance, it disconnects the power almost instantly. This rapid response helps prevent electric shock and greatly reduces the chance of electrical fires.
RCBOs, or Residual Current Breakers with Overload protection, combine the safety benefits of an RCD with the added ability to protect each circuit from overloading or short circuiting. This means the device not only reacts to leakage faults but also isolates the circuit if it begins to draw more power than it should. By using RCBOs, each individual circuit receives its own dedicated protection, resulting in a more reliable and easier to maintain electrical system.
Installing a modern consumer unit ensures your home benefits from the latest safety technology, providing peace of mind and a more dependable electrical setup for everyday use.
Final Testing and Certification
After all installation work is completed, your electrician performs comprehensive testing to confirm the system is safe and fully compliant. This includes checking every circuit, verifying safety features, and ensuring the wiring operates correctly under load. Once everything has passed inspection, you receive the appropriate certification for your records.
Optional Upgrades During a Rewire
Many homeowners choose to enhance their electrical system while the wiring is accessible. Popular additions include smart home features, new lighting layouts, outdoor power, reinforced wiring for high load appliances, or EV charger preparation. Completing these upgrades at the same time is cost effective and ensures the entire system works seamlessly together.
Full and Partial Rewiring Services Across Bromley, Chislehurst and West Wickham
If you are looking to improve the safety and performance of your property’s electrics, J Durka Electrical Services provides expert house rewiring in Chislehurst, West Wickham and Bromley, carried out with care, clear communication and full certification on completion. Whether you need a full rewire or targeted upgrades, our team is ready to help. Call us on 07977479071 or fill out our contact form to arrange a consultation.
