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Terrace living room with lifted floorboards and new cable during a rewire

Rewiring houses in Reading

House rewiring in Reading for older homes and rentals

Replacing worn, unsafe or outdated cabling in terraces, semis and flats around Reading. We survey, explain the work and put the scope in writing.

  • Plain signs your wiring may need replacing
  • Realistic explanation of disruption and tidying
  • Test certificate and Building Control explained

Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

What does house rewiring involve?

A rewire replaces the cables behind your walls, floors and ceilings, together with sockets, switches, light fittings and usually the consumer unit. For house rewiring Reading homes often need, the work is done in two stages. First fix is cable run, back boxes and the routes for pipework and floors. Second fix is the visible part, such as fitting sockets, switches and the new unit.

Floorboards are lifted, and channels may be cut in walls. Some homes need a full rewire, while others need a partial one, such as a kitchen extension or an upstairs floor. A survey and test results show which route makes sense for your home.

How can you tell if your home needs a rewire?

Look for these signs:

  • Fabric or rubber covered cables, or cables with a lead sheath.
  • Round pin sockets, or old brown and black switches.
  • Rewirable fuses in the fuse box.
  • Scorch marks, buzzing, warm fittings or a burning smell.
  • Lights that flicker or circuits that trip for no clear reason.
  • Too few sockets and extension leads in every room.

An inspection report, often called an EICR, gives a written view of the wiring. In the UK most homes use copper twin and earth cable. Aluminium wiring was used in a small number of homes in the 1960s and 70s and is uncommon, but if it is found it needs specialist assessment rather than a quick fix.

What kinds of homes in Reading are most likely to need it?

Victorian terraces near the centre, in areas such as Newtown and Katesgrove, have often been altered several times over many decades. You may find lath and plaster, solid brick walls and timber floors, all of which affect how cable is routed. Some 1930s semis in Tilehurst and Caversham have only been partly updated, while homes from the 1960s and 70s may have early plastic cable or wiring that simply fits less modern demand.

Landlords often meet rewiring after an inspection report. Shared houses and converted flats may also need fire detection and emergency lighting reviewed. Conservation areas and listed buildings can add planning rules, so check with the council before you start. You can also read how we handle urgent faults on the emergency electrician page.

A flat can be a matter of days, and a larger house can take a couple of weeks, depending on size and access. It is easier if the house is empty, but many people live there with careful planning and a temporary supply. Expect dust, lifted floors and some plaster repairs.

Price depends on the number of rooms and points, the type of walls and floors, whether the loft and floor voids are easy to reach, and whether you want a new consumer unit, extra sockets or lighting at the same time. Plastering and redecoration are normally separate, so plan for a decorator. We give a written quote after a survey and list what is and is not included.

It is worth asking for the work to be planned around your own timetable. Many rewires are sequenced so that the kitchen, the bathroom and at least one bedroom keep a working supply for as long as possible, and so that any decorating can follow straight after the second fix and testing are finished.

What paperwork should you receive?

A rewire is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. Notification goes through the installer's competent person scheme or to the council, and you should receive an electrical installation certificate once it is tested. Keep it with your property papers, because buyers, solicitors and mortgage lenders sometimes ask for it.

As advice to any customer, ask which registration scheme your electrician uses, check it yourself and make sure the quote states what testing and certificates are included. See also our home page for other services.

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Questions about electrical in Reading

Can I live in the house during a rewire?

Many people do, but it is more disruptive. The work is usually done room by room or floor by floor, and a temporary supply keeps essentials running. Dust, noise and lifted floors are part of it. If you can move out for a few days, the job is often quicker and easier on you.

Will you have to replaster the walls?

Often some making good is needed where cable channels are cut. Electricians generally leave rough repairs, and finishing plaster and decoration are usually separate costs. In some homes, cable can be run through floor voids and lofts to limit damage. Ask what is included in the quote and plan a plasterer and decorator for the end.

Is aluminium wiring a problem in Reading homes?

It is uncommon. Most UK homes are wired in copper. Some houses from the 1960s and 70s did use aluminium, and if it is found it needs careful assessment because the connections can loosen over time. An inspection will show what you have. If you are told you have it, get a clear written explanation before agreeing to any work.

How do I know if I need a full or partial rewire?

An inspection report and a survey visit show the condition of each circuit. If the cables are sound and only some circuits are poor, a partial rewire may be enough. If most of the cabling is old, damaged or unsafe, a full rewire is usually the better long-term choice. Your quote should explain the reasons.

How long do I have before a landlord rewire is needed?

If an inspection report finds urgent faults, rules for rented homes in England require repairs within a set time, so it is best to act promptly. Less serious findings may allow more room to plan. Read your report with an electrician and ask which items are urgent, so you can decide what work to book first.

How it works

1

Call or request a quote

Tell us what is wrong or what you need.

2

Clear price

We explain the work and the cost before starting.

3

Safe, tidy work

Done properly, tested and cleaned up.

Request rewiring

Tell us what you need and we call you back.

No obligation.

Step 1 of 3

What do you need?

Ready when you are Call now or request a quote online. Call an electrician Get my free electrical quote 01632 960071