What Happens During a Full House Rewire? Maidstone Homeowner Guide
If your Maidstone home is more than 25–30 years old, or you’re planning a major renovation, a full house rewire is often one of the most important upgrades you can make. Rewiring improves safety, increases energy efficiency and ensures your home meets modern electrical standards.
But many homeowners aren’t sure what actually happens during the process — or how disruptive it might be.
This guide explains every stage of a full house rewire, tailored specifically to properties across Maidstone, Allington, Bearsted, Loose, Penenden Heath and the surrounding areas.
1. Initial Electrical Inspection
Before any work begins, an electrician will assess your existing wiring, fuse board and overall safety.
What they check:
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- Age and condition of wiring
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- Earthing and bonding levels
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- Fuse board suitability
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- Circuit loading
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- Safety hazards or damage
This helps confirm whether a full rewire is necessary and identifies any urgent issues.
2. Power Isolation and Preparation
At the start of the rewire, the entire property is made safe by disconnecting the electrical supply. Furniture may be moved and dust sheets put down.
Tip for homeowners:
If possible, clear rooms ahead of time to speed up the process.
3. Removing Old Wiring
Old cables, sockets and switches are removed from walls, floors and ceilings.
You may see:
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- Floorboards lifted
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- Channels chased into walls
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- Old fittings taken down
Although disruptive, this step ensures that dangerous or outdated wiring is fully replaced.
4. Installing New Wiring & Circuits
New cabling is installed throughout the home for:
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- Sockets
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- Lighting
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- Appliances
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- Smoke alarms
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- Outdoor electrics (if required)
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- Any home office, EV charger or heating upgrades
This stage is the most labour-intensive and is where you’ll see electricians working in multiple rooms simultaneously.
5. New Consumer Unit (Fuse Board) Installation
Most rewires include replacing the old fuse board with a modern RCD- or RCBO-protected consumer unit.
Benefits:
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- Greater protection from electrical faults
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- Compliance with BS 7671 wiring regulations
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- Better circuit management
- Improved home insurance acceptance
6. Testing & Certification
Every circuit is thoroughly tested to ensure:
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- Correct polarity
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- Safe earthing
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- Proper insulation resistance
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- RCD/RCBO performance
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- No faults or hazards
Once testing is complete, you’ll receive:
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- Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC)
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- Building Control notification (Part P)
These documents are essential for safety, insurance and resale of the property.
7. Making Good
Electricians will fill in wall chases and leave the property safe and tidy.
However, full decoration may be needed — many homeowners plan redecoration or renovation immediately after.
How Long Does a Rewire Take in Maidstone?
Typical timelines:
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- 1–2 bed flat: 2–4 days
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- 2–3 bed house: 4–7 days
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- 4 bed house: 7–10 days
Older or heavily customised properties may take longer.
Can You Live in the Home During a Rewire?
It’s possible, but challenging — especially with young families or pets.
Electricians will often provide temporary lighting or limited power, but staying elsewhere for a few days makes the process smoother.
Why Maidstone Homes Often Need Rewiring
Many properties in Maidstone were built in periods where wiring standards were very different.
Homes in areas such as Mote Park, Shepway, Allington and East Farleigh commonly show signs of outdated wiring, especially if they’ve had multiple DIY alterations over the years.
A rewire ensures your home is safe, modern and ready for future electrical needs.