Why Rewiring Matters
Electrical wiring degrades over time. Rubber and lead-sheathed cables used before the 1960s become brittle, and even PVC-insulated cables from the 1970s and 80s can deteriorate after 30-40 years. Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires in the UK, responsible for thousands of incidents every year. A full rewire brings your home up to the current BS 7671:2018 standard, protects your family, and adds genuine value to your property.
The 7 Warning Signs
Frequent Tripping or Blown Fuses
If your consumer unit trips regularly or fuses blow without obvious cause, this usually indicates overloaded circuits or degraded wiring. Modern homes demand far more power than systems installed 30+ years ago were designed to handle. Across homes in Wells and Shepton Mallet, we regularly find original circuits running fridges, dishwashers, and washing machines from a single ring main that simply cannot cope.
Scorch Marks or Burning Smells
Any discolouration around sockets, switches, or your fuse board is a serious warning sign. Brown or black marks indicate arcing or overheating. If you smell burning plastic near any electrical fitting, isolate the circuit immediately and call a qualified electrician. This is not something that can wait.
Old Round-Pin Sockets or Fabric Cables
Round-pin sockets were standard until the late 1940s. If your property still has them, the wiring behind them is almost certainly dangerously outdated. Similarly, if you can see fabric-covered or rubber-insulated cables anywhere -- in the loft, under floorboards, or behind pulled-back plaster -- those cables are well beyond their safe lifespan.
Lights Flickering or Dimming
Occasional flickering when a large appliance kicks in is normal. But persistent flickering, dimming, or lights that brighten unexpectedly can point to loose connections, deteriorated wiring, or an overloaded circuit. We see this frequently in older Bath properties where period features have been preserved but the electrics have not been touched in decades.
No RCD Protection
A Residual Current Device (RCD) cuts the power in milliseconds if it detects a fault, preventing electric shock. If your consumer unit has no RCD -- or if it is an old rewirable fuse board with wire fuses -- you lack a critical layer of protection. Since 2008, RCD protection has been required on virtually all circuits in new installations. A full EICR test will confirm whether your RCD protection meets current standards.
Sockets or Switches That Feel Warm
Electrical fittings should never feel warm to the touch when nothing is plugged in. Warmth indicates a poor connection or overloaded wiring behind the faceplate. In older properties around Frome and Midsomer Norton, we frequently find connections that have been extended, spliced, or jury-rigged over the years, creating hidden hot spots behind walls.
You Are Buying, Selling, or Renovating
Any major property transaction or renovation is the ideal time to assess the electrics. Mortgage lenders increasingly require evidence of safe electrics. If you are extending, converting a loft, or renovating a kitchen or bathroom, Part P of the Building Regulations requires that new electrical work meets current standards. Often, a partial or full rewire becomes the most practical option.
What Does a Full Rewire Involve?
A full house rewire replaces all the fixed wiring in your property -- from the meter to every socket, switch, and light. Here is what the process typically looks like:
- Survey and quote -- we visit your property, assess the existing installation, plan circuit layouts, and provide a fixed-price quote with no hidden costs.
- First fix -- cables are run through the property, typically under floorboards, through ceiling voids, and chased into walls. A new consumer unit is installed.
- Second fix -- sockets, switches, and light fittings are connected and finished once plastering is complete.
- Testing and certification -- every circuit is tested to BS 7671:2018. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and the work is registered with NAPIT and Building Control.
How Long Does a Rewire Take?
Timescales depend on property size and access:
- 1-2 bed flat: 3-5 days
- 3 bed semi-detached: 5-7 days
- 4+ bed detached: 7-10 days
We schedule work to minimise disruption. Power is maintained to key areas throughout, and we always clean up at the end of each day.
Rewire Costs in Somerset
Every property is different, so we always provide a bespoke quote after an on-site survey. As a guide, these are typical rewire costs across our Somerset coverage area:
| Property Type | Typical Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 bed flat | From £2,500 | 3-5 days |
| 3 bed semi-detached | From £3,800 | 5-7 days |
| 4 bed detached | From £5,500 | 7-10 days |
| Large period property | From £7,000+ | 10-14 days |
All our quotes include labour, materials, consumer unit, testing, and NAPIT registration. No hidden extras.
Do I Need a Full Rewire or Just a Partial Rewire?
Not every property needs a complete rewire. If only part of the wiring is outdated -- for example, the lighting circuits have been replaced but the ring mains have not -- a partial rewire targeting the affected circuits may be sufficient. An EICR inspection is the best way to determine what level of work is needed. We will always recommend the most cost-effective solution that brings your installation up to standard.
Why Choose DS Electrical?
- NAPIT Approved Contractor -- all work registered with Building Control
- City & Guilds Qualified -- 18th Edition certified electricians
- CHAS Accredited -- health and safety assessed for commercial and domestic work
- Fixed-price quotes -- no surprises, no hidden charges
- Local to Somerset -- serving Wells, Shepton Mallet, Bath, Frome, Midsomer Norton, Street, and Cheddar
- Full testing and certification -- EIC issued on completion, registered with NAPIT