BKA Electrical completed a full house rewire on Millcroft Road in Westdene, Brighton, during a major renovation that transformed the original bungalow into a two-storey, four-bedroom home. The project included an extension, loft conversion, relocated kitchen, new consumer unit, new lighting and sockets, smoke and heat alarms, and final testing and certification.
The property was unoccupied throughout the work, which meant the electrical installation could be completed in stages alongside the wider building programme. Rather than carrying out the rewire in one continuous visit, we returned as different parts of the house became ready for first fix, second fix and final completion.
The electrical work took place over roughly four months and had to be coordinated with builders, plasterers, plumbers and the other trades involved in the conversion. This made the project a good example of how a full rewire fits into a substantial house renovation in Brighton.
Millcroft Road Rewire at a Glance
Location: Millcroft Road, Westdene, Brighton.
Property: Bungalow converted into a two-storey, four-bedroom house.
Project: Full electrical rewire carried out during an extension and loft conversion.
Programme: Electrical work completed in stages over roughly four months while the property was unoccupied.
Electrical scope: New wiring throughout, sockets and lighting, relocated-kitchen wiring, smoke and heat alarms, a new consumer unit, second fix, final testing and certification.
Full Rewire During a Major Westdene Renovation
This was not simply a like-for-like replacement of the original electrical installation. The layout and size of the property were changing significantly as the bungalow was converted into a two-storey home, with extra accommodation created through the loft conversion and additional living space added in the extension.
Because the finished house was very different from the original bungalow, the new electrical installation had to be planned around the new rooms and the way the completed property would be used. New cable routes, socket positions and lighting points were installed to suit the redesigned layout rather than trying to adapt the existing arrangement.
For homeowners planning a similar project, carrying out a full rewire during a renovation in Brighton allows the electrical installation to be built into the new layout while floors, walls and ceilings are already being opened up for the wider construction work.
First-Fix Electrical Work
The first-fix stage involved installing the new wiring before the final finishes were completed. Floorboards were lifted where access was required, walls were chased for new electrical points and cables were routed through the property to serve the new two-storey layout.
The project photographs show the house during this stage, with floorboards open, new cable runs being installed and walls prepared for new sockets, switches and other electrical points. Completing this work before plastering and decorating meant the new installation could be concealed properly within the renovated property.
Working alongside the other trades was a key part of the job. Builders needed access for the structural work, plumbers were installing their services and plasterers needed the electrical first fix completed before areas could be closed and finished. The rewire therefore progressed with the building rather than independently of it.
Electrical Work for the Extension and Loft Conversion
The extension and loft conversion created areas that did not exist in the original bungalow, so the electrical installation had to serve a substantially larger and different property. New wiring was installed for the additional rooms and incorporated into the overall rewire as construction progressed.
Completing the electrical work at the same time as the conversion meant the positions of sockets, switches and lighting could be planned around the finished rooms before the walls and ceilings were completed. This is particularly useful on loft conversions and extensions, where electrical work needs to be coordinated carefully with the construction sequence.
Kitchen Relocated Into the New Extension
One of the biggest changes to the property was the relocation of the kitchen into the new extension. The new kitchen therefore formed part of the full rewire, with its electrical installation designed around the new position rather than the original bungalow layout. For homeowners planning similar work, see our kitchen electrical installations in Brighton service.
The kitchen wiring was completed as the extension progressed so that the electrical work could be coordinated with the new kitchen installation and the other services in the room. Treating the kitchen as part of the overall rewire meant the renovated house could be completed as one new electrical installation rather than relying on later additions to the old wiring. For a separate Westdene project involving kitchen electrical alterations and consumer units, view our Eldred Avenue kitchen rewire case study.
Second Fix, Sockets and Lighting
Once the first-fix work had been completed and the renovation moved forward, we returned for the second-fix stages. New sockets, switches and lighting points were completed throughout the property as individual rooms became ready.
The project photos show the progression from exposed wiring and open floors through to finished downlights and completed accessories. Because the house was unoccupied, the electrical work could be carried out around the refurbishment without needing to keep parts of the original installation available for residents. The finished lighting is covered in more detail in our Millcroft Road lighting installation case study.
Smoke and Heat Alarm Installation
The full rewire also included the smoke and heat alarm installation for the renovated property. With the building changing from a bungalow into a two-storey home, the alarm system was installed as part of the wider electrical works so that it matched the completed layout of the house.
New Consumer Unit
A new consumer unit was installed as part of the full house rewire. Rather than retaining the distribution arrangement from the original bungalow, the new board formed part of the new electrical installation serving the converted and extended property.
If you are upgrading an older installation rather than carrying out a full rewire, our consumer unit replacement service in Brighton covers dedicated fuse-box and consumer-unit upgrades.
Testing and Certification
Once the electrical installation reached its final stage, BKA Electrical carried out the required testing and certification for the completed rewire. This final stage followed the months of first fix, second fix and coordination with the wider extension and loft-conversion works.
The result was a complete new electrical installation serving the finished four-bedroom, two-storey home rather than the original bungalow layout.
Working Alongside Builders, Plasterers and Plumbers
The Millcroft Road project shows how electrical work fits into a larger renovation. Over the roughly four-month programme, our work had to be timed around builders, plasterers, plumbers and the progress of the conversion itself.
First fix was completed before areas were plastered, second fix followed once rooms were ready, and final testing and certification took place once the installation was complete. This staged approach allowed the electrical work to progress with the build rather than hold up the other trades.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Westdene Rewire
Was the house occupied during the rewire?
No. The property was unoccupied while the renovation and electrical work were being carried out, allowing the full rewire to be completed around the wider building programme.
How long did the electrical work take?
The electrical work was carried out in stages over roughly four months as the extension, loft conversion, plastering and other building works progressed.
Did the rewire include the extension and loft conversion?
Yes. The new electrical installation covered the converted and extended property, including the new upper-floor accommodation and the relocated kitchen in the extension.
Was a new consumer unit installed?
Yes. A new consumer unit formed part of the full rewire.
Was the new installation tested and certified?
Yes. BKA Electrical completed the final testing and certification once the rewire reached completion.
Full House Rewires in Westdene and Brighton
BKA Electrical carries out full and substantial rewires for homeowners renovating properties across Brighton and Hove. Projects can range from replacing an ageing installation in an existing home through to complete electrical installations during extensions, loft conversions and major refurbishments. You can also see our Elm Grove full house rewire case study for another example of a renovation-led rewire.
If you are planning similar work, see our rewiring services in Brighton for more information.
We also carry out general domestic electrical work throughout the city. If you need an electrician in Brighton for a renovation, extension, electrical upgrade or new installation, contact BKA Electrical to discuss the project.