A couple who had recently bought an older terraced house near Fiveways in Brighton contacted BKA Electrical as part of a major renovation of the property. The house was in poor condition and, with extensive refurbishment work and a loft conversion planned, it was the right time to renew the electrical installation throughout.
Because the property was unoccupied, the full house rewire could be planned alongside the wider building work before the owners moved in. The overall renovation ran for around three months, allowing the electrical first fix, loft conversion work, second fix and final testing to be coordinated as the property progressed.
Why the Property Needed a Full Rewire
The new owners had bought the house knowing it needed significant work. Rather than trying to retain an ageing installation while carrying out a major renovation, the decision was made to renew the electrics throughout the property and plan the new installation around the finished layout.
This is often the most practical time to rewire an older home. With rooms already being opened up for renovation, cable routes can be planned properly and electrical points can be positioned for how the house will actually be used once the work is complete.
Planning the Rewire Around the Renovation and Loft Conversion
The electrical work had to fit around the wider renovation rather than being treated as a separate job. New cable routes, circuits and electrical points were planned with the final room layouts in mind, including the additional space being created by the loft conversion. For smaller alterations outside a full rewire, see our socket and switch installation in Brighton service.
Working this way meant the first-fix wiring could be completed before walls and ceilings were finished, with the second fix following later in the project once the rooms were ready. It also reduced the need to disturb newly finished surfaces at a later date.
First Fix in an Older Brighton Terraced House
Older Brighton properties need a careful approach during first fix. Existing timber, floors and walls can be very different from those found in newer homes, so cable routes cannot simply be treated in the same way on every job.
On this project, particular care was needed when drilling through existing joists and chasing walls. The aim was to create safe, practical cable routes while avoiding unnecessary damage to the structure of the house. Taking the time to plan routes properly is an important part of rewiring an older property, especially when the building is already undergoing extensive renovation.
Renewing the Electrical Installation Throughout
The electrical installation was renewed throughout the house, with new wiring, circuits and electrical points installed to suit the renovated property. The layout was planned so the finished home would have the power, lighting and flexibility expected from a modern electrical installation rather than being restricted by the position and condition of older wiring.
Completing the work as part of the renovation also made it easier to coordinate the electrical installation with the other trades on site. Each stage could be completed at the right point in the build rather than working around finished decoration or occupied rooms.
Second Fix, Testing and Completion
Once the first-fix work and the main stages of the renovation had progressed, the installation moved onto second fix. Electrical accessories and fittings were completed, circuits were finished and the installation was tested before handover.
By carrying out the rewire while the house was empty, the owners were able to get the disruptive electrical work completed before moving in. That is usually far easier than trying to rewire an occupied property after rooms have already been decorated and furnished.
What Happens During a Full House Rewire?
Every property is different, but a full rewire will normally involve planning the new electrical layout, completing the first-fix cable routes, installing the new circuits and electrical points, returning for second fix and then carrying out final testing. On renovation projects, those stages are usually coordinated with plastering, carpentry, kitchen work, loft work and decoration.
The condition and age of the property can have a big effect on how the job is approached. Older homes often require more thought when routing cables and working around existing joists, floors and walls. A careful first fix helps avoid unnecessary damage and makes the later stages of the project much more straightforward.
Rewiring a House Before You Move In
If you have just bought an older house and already know major renovation work is needed, carrying out the rewire before moving in can make the process much easier. Furniture does not need to be moved from room to room, access is better for first-fix work and the new electrical layout can be planned around the renovation rather than the old arrangement.
If you are still at the buying stage and are unsure about the condition of the existing electrics, our guide on arranging an EICR before buying a property in Brighton explains when an inspection may be useful before committing to electrical work.
Planning a Full House Rewire in Brighton?
BKA Electrical carries out full and partial rewires across Brighton and Hove. If you are renovating an older property, planning a loft conversion or want to replace an ageing electrical installation, we can help plan the work around the wider project and complete the installation from first fix through to final testing.
Find out more about our rewiring services in Brighton, or see another real BKA Electrical project in our full house rewire near Elm Grove case study. To learn more about our local electrical work, visit BKA Electrical, your electrician in Brighton, or contact us to discuss your property and the work you are planning.