A rewire checklist for Bristol householders

A rewire replaces the cables, sockets, switches and lighting circuits in a home. It is one of the largest jobs a householder will commission, and it is also one of the most disruptive. Walls are opened, floors are lifted, rooms are dusty and power is switched off for part of the day. The electrical work is usually the straightforward part. The difficulty lies in preparing the house, planning where things should go and living through the weeks of work. This checklist takes you through those tasks in the order they usually arise, so that a Bristol household can plan the job calmly rather than reacting to problems as they appear.

Before the work starts

Begin by confirming the scope of the job in writing. Registered firms, including members of the NICEIC and NAPIT schemes, normally expect this step and can provide a template. Ask the electrician to list the rooms, the number of circuits, the sockets and light points and the consumer unit, together with any making good that is included. Check the start date and the expected duration, and ask how the firm will keep you informed. If the house has had previous electrical work, gather any certificates or reports you have, because they help the electrician understand what is already in place.

Next, decide what must be done before the electricians arrive. Some householders arrange for furniture to be removed from the rooms being worked on, while others prefer to move everything into one room and keep the rest of the house clear. Think about which rooms will need to stay usable and whether a temporary arrangement for cooking and washing will be needed during the work. A plan made in advance avoids decisions being forced on the day.

Clearing access and protecting floors

Clear every route the electricians will use to reach the walls, floors and loft. Move furniture away from the walls, lift or remove rugs and take down pictures and shelves that will be in the way. Remove or cover anything fragile or valuable, and keep pets and children out of the working areas. Where floorboards will be lifted, ask the firm to explain how the boards will be protected and whether any will need to be reinstated.

Protection is a shared task, and the Electrical Safety First charity publishes general advice on keeping a home safe while work is under way. Many firms lay dust sheets and protect the main routes through the house, but they can only do so properly if the rooms are clear. Agree with the electrician who will provide protection, who will clean up at the end of each day and what will be left for you to do. A clear agreement reduces friction during a busy period.

Planning socket and light positions

Socket and light positions deserve more attention than most people give them. Walk through each room and note where you use appliances, where you need lamps and where you want switches. Consider where the television, the computer and the charging points will be, and think about the position of the kitchen appliances and any future changes. A socket placed in the right position is far more useful than an extra one placed in the wrong place.

Mark the positions on the wall with a pencil before the electricians start, and ask them to check the marks with you. Be realistic about the number of sockets. An electrician can advise on how many circuits are needed and where they should run, and they may suggest positions that suit the layout better than the ones you chose. Agree the final plan in writing, including the light switches and any ceiling roses, so that there is no argument about it when the work is finished.

Living without power

Power is normally switched off for part of the day while the new circuits are connected. Plan for that interruption. Charge phones, laptops and torches in advance, keep a basic kit of lights and batteries to hand and check how you will heat water and cook if the supply is off at mealtimes. Freezers and fridges can usually be kept closed for a short period, but it helps to know how long the outage is expected to last.

Ask the electrician to give you warning before the power is switched off, and agree a time for each stage of the work. Some firms can arrange a short outage at a set time, while others need to work around the sequence of the job. Knowing the pattern lets you plan your day, and it reduces the risk of being caught without light or heat.

Working around the dust and noise

Chasing walls and lifting floors creates dust and noise, and both can be unpleasant for several weeks. Keep doors closed to the rooms that are not being worked on and use sheeting to block off the route to the kitchen or the bedrooms. A simple dust-proof barrier at the foot of the stairs can make a big difference. Ask the firm whether it uses dust extraction, because that affects how much cleaning will be needed afterwards.

Noise is harder to avoid, but it is more predictable. Ask when the loudest work will take place and whether it can be done during the day, when you are out, rather than at a time that disrupts work or sleep. Clear communication with the electricians helps them plan the noisiest tasks around your routine.

Plastering and decorating afterwards

Once the cables are in and tested, the walls and floors must be made good. This usually includes plastering over the chases, repairing any damage to ceilings and reinstating skirting boards and floorboards. Decorating may follow, but it is often a separate trade and should be booked in advance. Decide early whether you want the walls redecorated throughout or simply made good ready for painting.

Make a note of the finishes that are needed, such as the paint type and the colours, and check that the firm has allowed time for drying between stages. Plaster needs time to cure before it is painted, and skipping that time can cause problems later. A realistic timetable avoids rushed decisions when the house is still in disarray.

Keeping a record of the house

Before the work starts, take photographs of each room, the existing sockets and switches, and the consumer unit. These images are a simple record of how the house looked before any cables were moved, and they are useful if a question arises about a wall or a floor later. Note the location of any items that are fixed or hidden, such as stored boxes in a cupboard, a radiator behind a unit or a heavy piece of furniture that is difficult to move. Passing this information to the electricians early avoids surprises on the day.

Keep a simple folder for the job with the quote, the agreed scope, the plan of socket and light positions, the certificates and the invoices. Write down the dates when power was off and any problems that arose during the work, with a short note about how they were resolved. A complete record makes it easier to answer questions from a buyer, a landlord or an insurer years later.

Signing off the work

When the work is finished, ask for the certificates and the test results, and check that they match the scope you agreed. Walk through the house with the electrician, test each socket and light, check the labelling on the consumer unit and make sure every circuit is named. Keep the paperwork with the house records, because you will need it when you sell the property, remortgage it or make changes later.

The guide on reading a Bristol EICR explains the report that may follow the work and how to interpret it. For prices and how electricians set their fees, see the guide on day rate, hourly or fixed price. Send specific questions through the quote request page, and the frequently asked questions answer common questions about preparing a home for a rewire. The services overview sets out the electrical work covered in the Bristol area.

Sources and further reading

1. Electrical Safety First (Electrical Safety First)
2. NICEIC (UK Electrical Certification and Training)
3. NAPIT (NAPIT)