🔌 How Do I Know If My Home Needs Rewiring?

Written by Anthony O’Brien – Qualified Electrician & Owner of AJOB Electrical Ltd, Leeds & Wakefield

As a NICEIC Approved Contractor with years of experience inspecting and upgrading homes across Leeds and Wakefield, one of the most important questions I’m asked by homeowners is “How can I tell if my house needs rewiring?”

The answer depends on the age, condition, and safety of your electrical installation. Many electrical faults are hidden behind walls or under floors — so it’s not always obvious when things are outdated or unsafe. But there are some clear warning signs and general rules you can follow.

⚠️ Signs Your Home Might Need Rewiring

Here are the most common red flags we see on surveys and safety reports:

🔌 1. Old Fuse Box with Rewirable Fuses

If your consumer unit still uses fuse wire or has no RCD protection, the wiring is likely decades old and the system will not meet modern safety standards.

🔧 2. Socket or Switches Are Damaged or Cracked

Discoloured, wobbly or brittle outlets and switches can indicate old wiring or insulation breakdown behind the scenes.

⚡ 3. Buzzing or Flickering Lights

This could be caused by loose connections, worn cables, or faulty lighting circuits.

🔥 4. Tripping Electrics or Blown Fuses

Frequent tripping can be a sign of overloaded circuits, poor cable condition, or deteriorated insulation.

💡 5. Not Enough Sockets

If you're relying heavily on multi-plug adapters or extension leads, the system may not have been designed for today’s electrical needs — a full rewire allows for safer, more practical layouts.

🧱 6. Cables Not Buried or Surface-Mounted in Conduit

Visible surface-mounted cables in old white trunking (especially in kitchens or bedrooms) are a clue that the installation hasn’t been modernised.

🧓 7. The Property Is Over 30 Years Old and Has Never Been Rewired

Even if the sockets and switches were changed, the wiring underneath could still be original. Insulation on old PVC and rubber cables breaks down over time.

🧰 What Does a Rewire Involve?

A full or partial rewire typically includes:

Replacing all cabling in the property
Installing new sockets, switches, and light fittings
Fitting a modern, regulation-compliant consumer unit
Ensuring all bonding and earthing is up to standard
Testing and certifying the entire installation

At AJOB Electrical, we always carry out a detailed assessment to see if a full rewire is necessary — in some cases, only parts of the system may need updating.

🏠 What’s the Benefit of Rewiring?

Improved safety – No more outdated or damaged cabling
Compliance with BS 7671 Wiring Regulations
Extra sockets and better layout for modern living
Support for smart homes, EV chargers, and future tech
Higher property value and peace of mind
Reduced fire risk from degraded insulation or overheating

🔍 How We Check If Rewiring Is Needed

We start with a visual inspection or an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) — a thorough test of your system, including insulation resistance, polarity, earth continuity and RCD operation.

We’ll give you a clear report that categorises any issues using industry-standard codes:

C1 – Danger present
C2 – Potentially dangerous
C3 – Improvement recommended
FI – Further investigation required

If a rewire is needed, we’ll explain exactly why and give a clear, fixed quote.

⏱️ How Long Does a Rewire Take?

Full 2–3 bedroom house: typically 5–7 working days
Occupied properties: may take longer due to protective measures
Unoccupied or empty homes: much quicker and cleaner

We’ll always respect your home, using dust sheets, vacuums, and protective covers. We can also carry out the work in stages if needed.

🧾 Does a Rewire Include a New Fuse Box?

Yes — a modern metal consumer unit with RCBOs and surge protection is fitted as part of any full rewire.
We’ll also check your earthing, bonding, and main tails, and upgrade them if required.

🙋‍♂️ FAQs

Can I rewire just part of the house?
Yes, if only certain circuits are unsafe or outdated. We’ll advise on the most cost-effective and safe option.

Will I need to move out during a rewire?
Not always — we can work room by room and schedule around you. For speed and cleanliness, it’s often easier in empty homes.

Is rewiring disruptive?
Some – yes. Rewires involve lifting floorboards and chasing cables into walls, but we keep mess to a minimum and always clean up at the end of each day.

📍 Local, Professional Rewiring in Leeds & Wakefield

We’ve carried out safe, compliant rewires in homes across:

Rothwell, Morley, Garforth, Pudsey
Wakefield, Ossett, Stanley, Wrenthorpe
Robin Hood and surrounding areas

As a NICEIC Approved Contractor, you can trust us to get it done properly — no cutting corners, no cheap materials, and no guesswork. You’ll get NICEIC certification and full peace of mind.