A full rewire is not a job that can be judged by the number of sockets alone. It involves opening up walls and floors, replacing ageing cables, fitting new accessories, testing every circuit and making good afterwards. So, how long does rewiring take? For most UK homes, allow around five to ten working days for the electrical work itself. The real programme can be longer once plaster repairs, decorating, flooring and other refurbishment works are included.
For a business premises, the answer depends even more heavily on the building’s size, the operating hours and whether work must be phased to keep the site open. A well-planned electrical programme protects safety and compliance without creating unnecessary disruption for residents, staff or customers.
How long does rewiring take for different properties?
A straightforward one-bedroom flat may take three to five working days if it is vacant, accessible and has no major surprises behind the walls. A typical two or three-bedroom house usually takes five to ten working days. Larger houses, older properties and homes being rewired while occupied can take two weeks or more.
These timescales assume a full rewire: new cables throughout, a new consumer unit where required, replacement sockets and switches, lighting circuits, earthing and bonding upgrades, and full inspection and testing. They do not automatically include the time needed to restore every chased wall and redecorate each room.
For commercial work, a small office or retail unit may be rewired within one to two weeks, particularly if access is available outside normal trading hours. A larger office, leisure venue, shop fit-out or multi-floor building can take several weeks. This is not simply because there are more cables. Commercial installations can involve emergency lighting, fire alarm interfaces, data cabling, three-phase supplies, containment, access control, ventilation equipment and specialist machinery.
Typical domestic rewire timescales
A practical guide for planning purposes is:
- One-bedroom flat: around three to five working days
- Two or three-bedroom house: around five to ten working days
- Four-bedroom or larger house: around ten working days to three weeks
- Occupied property with phased working: often two to three weeks or longer
Every property needs a survey before a firm programme can be given. A neat, empty house with accessible loft and floor voids is very different from an occupied Victorian terrace with solid walls, fitted wardrobes and finished flooring throughout.
What actually takes the time?
The visible part of a rewire – new sockets, switches and light fittings – is only the final stage. Most of the labour is in safely running new cables through the building and bringing the installation up to current standards.
The first stage is planning. The electrician needs to establish what circuits are required, where the consumer unit will sit, how cables can be routed, and whether the existing supply, earthing and bonding are adequate. This is also the point to discuss practical requirements such as USB sockets, outdoor power, electric showers, induction hobs, EV charging, garden lighting, networking and future extensions.
Next comes first fix. Walls may be chased, floorboards lifted and ceiling spaces accessed so that old wiring can be removed or isolated and new cabling installed. This is normally the messiest and noisiest part of the work. It can expose issues that were hidden from view, including damaged joists, poor previous alterations, unsuitable cable routes or signs of damp.
Once cables are in place, the walls and ceilings usually need making good. If a wider refurbishment is underway, this work can be coordinated with plastering, joinery, kitchen fitting and decorating. If it is a standalone rewire, making good may be handled separately, which can add time to the overall project even after the electrical team has finished.
Second fix follows once surfaces are ready. Sockets, switches, lights, extractor fans, smoke alarms and the consumer unit components are fitted. The installation is then inspected and tested circuit by circuit. A proper rewire is not complete until the testing has been carried out and the required electrical certification has been issued.
The factors that can extend a rewiring programme
Older properties often take longer because the structure gives fewer easy routes for cables. Solid brick walls require chasing rather than using cavity spaces, while lath-and-plaster ceilings need careful handling to avoid avoidable damage. Uneven floors, limited loft access and previous extensions can all complicate cable routes.
Whether the property is occupied makes a significant difference. Rewiring an empty home allows electricians to move room by room without working around furniture, residents, pets and day-to-day routines. In an occupied house, power may need to be maintained where possible, rooms may need to be completed in phases, and additional protection is needed for belongings and finished surfaces. It is achievable, but it is slower and more disruptive than working in a vacant property.
The scope can also grow quickly. Replacing old wiring while retaining a dated consumer unit may not be appropriate. Additional circuits for a kitchen, shower, home office or electric heating can require upgrades to the distribution board and further investigation of the incoming supply. Recessed downlights, smart controls, external lighting and EV chargers all need to be included in the design rather than treated as late additions.
For commercial premises, access restrictions are often the biggest programme driver. A retail operator may need work completed overnight. An office may require phased shutdowns by department. A landlord may require permits, method statements, coordination with building management and restrictions on drilling or noisy works. These controls are sensible, but they need to be built into the programme from the start.
Unexpected findings are another reason to avoid promising an exact finish date before survey. Asbestos-containing materials, unsafe historic alterations, timber damage or inadequate fire stopping need to be dealt with correctly. Cutting corners to recover a day is never worth compromising the installation or its compliance.
Can you stay in the property during a rewire?
You can, but it is rarely comfortable. There may be periods without power, dust from chasing walls, lifted floorboards and restricted access to kitchens, bathrooms or bedrooms. A partial occupation plan can work where only selected areas are being refurbished, or where the electrical work is being completed floor by floor.
If the property is undergoing a full internal refurbishment, temporary accommodation or scheduling the rewire before moving in is usually the more efficient option. It allows the electrical work to progress faster and avoids paying twice to protect, move and reinstate furniture.
For businesses, the equivalent decision is whether to close, work in sections or arrange out-of-hours installation. Closing may shorten the programme, but it affects revenue. Phased or night work reduces operational impact, though it can add labour and coordination costs. The right approach depends on the value of trading time versus the cost and complexity of extending the works.
How to keep the work on programme
The clearest way to prevent delays is to make electrical decisions before work starts. Confirm the kitchen layout, appliance locations, lighting plan, data requirements and any specialist equipment early. Moving a socket after walls have been plastered is possible, but it creates repeat work and extra cost.
Clear access matters too. Remove or protect furniture where possible, empty cupboards on working walls and identify any areas where drilling is restricted. If you have plans, previous electrical certificates or details of recent alterations, provide them at the survey stage. They may not tell the full story, but they can help the contractor plan sensibly.
For a wider project, use one coordinated programme rather than treating electrical work as an isolated trade. Electrical first fix needs to align with demolition, framing, plumbing and plastering. Second fix needs to happen at the right point after decorating or kitchen installation, depending on the finish required. Galvanize Contracts manages these trade interfaces so that the programme reflects what happens on site, not just a list of ideal dates.
What should be included before handover?
Before the job is signed off, check that the agreed socket positions, lighting points and switches have been installed, labels are clear at the consumer unit, and all accessories are secure and level. Ask for the Electrical Installation Certificate and confirmation that any applicable building-control notification has been completed by the registered installer.
You should also be shown how the consumer unit works, including how to isolate circuits and reset protective devices. This small handover step is particularly useful in commercial properties, where facilities teams need clear information before the contractor leaves site.
A rewire is disruptive for a short period, but it is one of the most worthwhile improvements you can make to an older property. Give the work enough time, plan the finished layout before cables go in, and choose a contractor prepared to explain the programme plainly rather than offering an unrealistic promise.
