Full House Rewire: What to Expect From Start to Finish in Cardiff

A full house rewire is one of the biggest electrical jobs a home can undergo — but it does not need to be stressful. If you understand what is happening at each stage, you will know exactly what to expect, how long it will take, and what you will receive at the end. Here is a complete guide to what happens when Cardiff Electrical Home Rewire Ltd carries out a full rewire on your Cardiff property.

Stage 1: The Free Survey

Before any work begins, we visit your property to assess the existing electrical installation. We identify the type and age of existing wiring, assess the condition of the current consumer unit, measure the property and count circuits, discuss your requirements — including sockets, lighting, EV charger circuits, and data cabling — and provide a written, fixed-price quote within 24 hours. The survey is completely free and carries no obligation to proceed.

Stage 2: Preparation and Protection

On the first day, before any cables are touched, we protect your property. Dust sheets on all floors and furniture, shoe covers, and clean covers over soft furnishings. For occupied properties, we work room by room to minimise the disrupted area at any one time. We maintain live power to a bathroom, kitchen, and living area throughout the day wherever possible, restoring full power at the end of each working day.

Stage 3: First Fix

First fix is the core of the rewire. Walls are chased to create cable routes, floorboards are lifted to access joists, and all existing wiring is carefully removed. New Twin and Earth cables are run to every socket, lighting circuit, cooker connection, and shower point. Back boxes are set into walls at the correct depths. Data cables (Cat6) are run to key rooms. And the dedicated EV charger circuit is run to the appropriate external location.

Stage 4: Chase Filling (Included as Standard)

Once first fix cables are in, we fill all chases. This is something many electricians leave for a separate plasterer — we include it as standard. Chases are filled flush with bonding coat and finish plaster, leaving walls ready for decoration. This saves you the cost and delay of arranging a separate tradesperson.

Stage 5: Consumer Unit Installation

While chase filling sets, we install the new consumer unit. This is a modern metal-clad board compliant with BS EN 61439-3 and Regulation 421.1.201. All circuits are connected, labelled, and protected by individual RCBOs for best-in-class fault discrimination. A surge protection device is installed where specified.

Stage 6: Second Fix

Second fix happens after plastering and decoration are complete. Sockets and switches are screwed to back boxes. Light fittings are connected. Ceiling roses and pendants are hung. Smart home modules are fitted where specified. USB sockets are positioned at bedside and desk locations. And the final connections are made at the consumer unit.

Stage 7: Testing and Certification

Before any certification, we carry out a full test sequence on every circuit. This includes insulation resistance testing, continuity testing of all protective conductors, polarity checks on every socket and light fitting, earth fault loop impedance measurement on every circuit, and RCD function testing. Every test result is recorded on the Schedule of Test Results. You then receive a BS 7671 Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), a Part P building control compliance certificate, a clean EICR, and a 6-year NICEIC insurance-backed warranty certificate.

How Long Does a House Rewire Take in Cardiff?

• 1-bedroom flat: 3-4 working days
• 2-bedroom terraced house: 4-5 working days
• 3-bedroom semi-detached: 5-7 working days
• 4-bedroom detached: 7-10 working days
• 5-bedroom or large period properties: 10-14 working days

Will You Need to Move Out?

In most cases, no. Our room-by-room approach means life continues with minimal interruption. Full power is restored every evening. The main disruptions are dust, noise from drilling and chasing, and the temporary unavailability of one or two rooms each day. Many Cardiff families find the process less disruptive than they expected.