DOES YOURHOME NEED A REWIRE?
Seven honest signs, from a working sparks, that a rewire (or at least a partial rewire) is on the cards. Not every one is a red flag on its own — but two or three together usually is.
The seven signs
In rough order of urgency.
- A fuse box with white rewireable fuses — pre-1980s and needs replacing regardless of the rest of the install
- Round-pin sockets or old brown bakelite accessories anywhere in the house
- Fabric or lead-sheathed cabling visible in the loft, under floorboards or at ceiling roses
- Warm plug tops, buzzing sockets or a faint bakelite / fishy smell around outlets
- Lights dim noticeably when the kettle or shower comes on
- The house has never had an EICR or the last one was over 10 years ago
- Regular unexplained RCD trips — sometimes an ageing insulation issue right across the install
Full vs partial rewire
A full rewire replaces every circuit including lighting, sockets and the consumer unit. A partial keeps the sections that test well and swaps out anything below standard. A good EICR will tell you which one you actually need — most 1950s+ homes only need a partial.
What it costs
In 2026, a full 3-bed rewire is typically £3,800–£5,500 in the West Midlands. A partial (say kitchen circuit + upstairs ring + consumer unit) is usually £1,600–£2,400. Living-in is fine — we phase the work room-by-room.
Next step
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Written quotes, no drip pricing, NICEIC-standard workmanship.