House Rewire (Full Rewiring) in Barnet

About house rewire (full rewiring) in Barnet

A full rewire involves replacing all the electrical wiring, accessories, and the consumer unit in a property. Every circuit is stripped back and replaced with modern twin-and-earth cable, new sockets and switches are fitted, and a new 18th edition consumer unit is installed. The earthing and bonding system is brought up to current standards. This is the most comprehensive electrical upgrade you can carry out and is typically needed in properties with wiring over 25-30 years old, or where an EICR has identified widespread deterioration.

Old wiring deteriorates over time. Rubber-sheathed cable (common pre-1960s), lead-sheathed cable, and early PVC cable can become brittle, lose insulation resistance, and develop faults. Properties with old wiring are at significantly higher risk of electrical fires and electric shock. If your EICR returns a C1 (danger present) or multiple C2 (potentially dangerous) codes, a full rewire may be the only practical solution. It is also often the most cost-effective approach when buying a property that needs major renovation.

What's included

• Removal of all existing wiring and accessories
• Supply and installation of new twin-and-earth cabling throughout
• New 18th edition metal consumer unit with RCBO or dual RCD protection
• New sockets, switches, ceiling roses, and faceplates
• New lighting circuits with modern LED-compatible wiring
• Dedicated circuits for high-load appliances (cooker, shower, immersion)
• Main earthing conductor and bonding to gas, water, and oil services
• Smoke and heat detector circuit (interconnected to BS 5839-6)
• Full circuit testing to BS 7671 standards
• Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) for the complete installation
• Part P Building Control notification

Typical cost

House Rewire (Full Rewiring) in Barnet typically costs £3,000–£8,000 per property. Every job is different — describe what you need and a qualified electrician will quote you directly.

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Regulations & standards

• Part P of the Building Regulations (Approved Document P): A full rewire is notifiable electrical work. All new circuits must be designed, installed, tested, and certified by a registered electrician, or inspected by Building Control.
• BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 (IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition): The national standard governing all aspects of the installation — cable sizing, circuit protection, earthing, bonding, accessory heights, and special location requirements (bathrooms, kitchens).
• Approved Document B (Fire Safety) — Smoke and Heat Alarms: When carrying out a full rewire, smoke alarms must be upgraded to meet current standards: interconnected mains-powered alarms with battery backup on every storey, plus heat detectors in kitchens.
• BS 5839-6 — Fire Detection in Dwellings: Specifies the grade and category of fire detection required in domestic properties. A Grade D1 Category LD2 system (mains-powered, interconnected, covering escape routes and high-risk rooms) is standard for a full rewire.