What happens during a house rewire.

Hi, If you are unsure about a rewire, I would advise getting a EICR (electrical installation condition report). This will be able to tell you the condition of your wiring. You may be fortunate and only need a new fuse board. However, if it is a rewire that is required then yes I would prepare yourself for walls to be chased out and holes to be drilled. To run wiring for upstairs sockets and lights the electrician will need to lift floor boards as well. It really does depend on the make up of your house as to how much mess will be made and quite often the electrician wont know until they start trying to run cables. Regarding duration, you would be looking around 3-5 days for the rewire and test. And finally, there is no really advantage of doing it step by step as sometimes cables for different circuits can be ran along the same route. doing upstairs one week and down stairs the next would only take the electricians longer and probably cost you more money. hope this helps

EICR will determine if you require a rewire and yes you can have it done in stages, but it will still be disruptive either way...

Totally agree with the answer already given. It also depends where you live and if you are using traditional building material. For instance one of my clients who is lets say, well to do, has a farm house by the sea, bought as an investment, totally traditionally restored in the 1700'th style and he is there maybe three times a year. He has just asked me to do an EICR report, (after 3 years!), I can't believe some of the megger insulation readings I am getting; I think the twin and earth does not like lime motar, and as far as quality of cable goes, In my opinion Doncaster cables is probably the best?!!