Rewiring & Installations

Rewiring costs for Bath and Bristol properties typically range from £3,500 to £8,500 depending on property size, complexity and accessibility. A standard 2-bedroom flat in Bristol might cost £3,500-£4,500, while a 3-bedroom semi-detached house generally ranges from £4,500-£6,000. Larger 4+ bedroom properties or Bath's period townhouses typically cost £6,000-£8,500 for complete rewiring. Several factors significantly influence pricing: property age and construction (Bath's Georgian properties with solid walls require specialised techniques); accessibility of floorboards, lofts and wall voids; presence of original features requiring preservation; extent of remedial plastering and decoration required; complexity of new installation including special requirements like underfloor heating or smart home integration; and occupancy status (vacant properties are typically 15-20% less expensive to rewire). Partial rewiring costs are determined by the specific circuits being replaced and areas involved. Consumer unit replacements typically range from £450-£750 depending on size and specification. Listed buildings in Bath's conservation areas often incur higher costs due to planning requirements and conservation-approved installation methods. We provide detailed, transparent quotations following property inspection, breaking down costs for materials, labour, testing, certification and any remedial work required. Despite substantial initial investment, rewiring typically adds significant value to properties while providing essential safety improvements and capacity for modern electrical demands.

Rewiring inevitably involves some disruption to your Bath or Bristol property, though our approach minimises this through careful planning and efficient working practices. For occupied properties, the process typically takes 7-14 days for an average 3-bedroom house, with vacant properties completed more quickly (usually 5-10 days). The most disruptive aspects involve lifting floorboards, creating channels in walls for new wiring runs, and accessing loft spaces. For Bath's period properties with ornate plasterwork or historical features, we employ techniques such as using existing conduits, running cables through cupboards and wardrobes, and utilising floor and ceiling voids to minimise intrusion into decorative surfaces. We typically work in phases, completing one area before moving to the next, allowing you to continue occupying the property throughout. Bathroom and kitchen rewiring may temporarily affect water services, but we restore these at the end of each working day wherever possible. Dust creation is unavoidable but managed through dust sheets, sealing off work areas, and daily cleaning. For properties with original features common in Bath's Georgian and Victorian buildings, we document these carefully before work begins and employ specialist heritage electricians experienced in minimising impact on historical elements. Planning rewiring during other renovation work significantly reduces overall disruption and costs. For landlords of Bristol's numerous rental properties, we can schedule works during tenant changeovers to prevent rental income loss. While rewiring is undoubtedly disruptive, our clients consistently report that our organised approach makes the process more manageable than anticipated.

Rewiring is not automatically necessary for all older properties in Bath and Bristol, as assessment should be based on the electrical system's condition rather than age alone. While the average lifespan of electrical installations is 25-30 years, we regularly encounter well-maintained systems from the 1970s and 80s that remain serviceable with partial upgrades. The key determinants include: wiring type (PVC-insulated cables introduced from the 1960s onwards generally remain safe if undamaged, while rubber-insulated cables from the 1940s-50s typically require replacement); the consumer unit type (older fuse boxes without RCD protection require upgrading to meet current regulations even if wiring remains serviceable); evidence of previous amateur modifications increasing risk factors; and changing property usage demands like home offices or electric vehicle charging requiring additional capacity. For Bath's period properties, particularly listed buildings, we often recommend targeted partial rewiring of critical circuits (kitchens, bathrooms) while retaining serviceable elements elsewhere, balancing safety requirements with conservation considerations. A comprehensive Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) provides definitive assessment of your system's condition, identifying specifically which elements require replacement versus those that remain compliant. This targeted approach typically reduces costs by 30-50% compared to complete rewiring while still addressing safety concerns. We provide objective assessment based on regulatory requirements and safety factors rather than automatically recommending complete rewiring, ensuring you receive honest advice about the most appropriate solution for your property's specific electrical condition.

Rewiring Bath's approximately 5,000 listed buildings requires specialised approaches balancing modern electrical safety with heritage preservation. Our process begins with thorough consultation with Bath & North East Somerset Council's conservation officers, establishing specific requirements before work commences. For Grade I and II* properties, we often create detailed method statements documenting installation routes and techniques for approval. Our heritage electricians employ several specialised techniques: surface-mounted cabling using period-appropriate oval conduits in appropriate colours to minimise visual impact while avoiding cutting into historic plasterwork; utilising existing service routes where Georgian properties have been previously modified; installing floor socket systems in original floorboards rather than wall-mounting modern sockets on period features; and preserving original switching locations while upgrading internal components. We're experienced with Bath's distinctive construction features including suspended wooden floors, lath and plaster ceilings, and limestone walls, adapting our methods accordingly. For properties with original electrical features such as Bakelite switches or early light fittings, we often convert these to safe operation while maintaining their appearance, using techniques such as rewiring original pendants or adapting decorative switches to house modern components. Our documentation includes detailed photographs and plans showing concealed wiring routes for future reference. This conservation-led approach typically involves more labour and planning than standard rewiring but ensures electrical safety while preserving the historical integrity that makes Bath's architecture internationally significant. Our experience working within the city's extensive conservation areas ensures compliance with both electrical regulations and heritage requirements.

Following rewiring or significant electrical installation work in your Bath or Bristol property, you'll receive comprehensive certification documentation complying with BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) and Building Regulations Part P. The primary document is the Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), which confirms your installation meets current safety standards. This multi-page document includes detailed technical verification recording test results for each circuit, from insulation resistance values to earth fault loop impedance measurements. For consumer unit replacements or circuit additions, you'll receive a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) specifically covering the modified elements. These certificates include our company's details as the certified installer, registration number with our regulatory scheme (typically NICEIC or NAPIT), testing dates and signature of the qualified supervisor. For properties in Bath and Bristol local authority areas, you'll also receive confirmation of Building Regulations compliance through either our registration as a competent person scheme member or local authority building control notification. All documentation is provided both in paper form and digital PDF format for your records. These certificates have significant importance beyond safety compliance – they're essential for property sales (increasingly requested by conveyancing solicitors), insurance validity (most building insurance policies require compliant electrical installations), and landlord legal obligations (required for Houses in Multiple Occupation and increasingly for all rental properties). We register installations on the appropriate national databases and provide certification with test results that remain valid for future property transactions, typically without requiring retesting for 10 years assuming no significant modifications.

Yes, we specialise in smart home electrical installations throughout Bath and Bristol, integrating intelligent systems during rewiring projects or retrofitting into existing properties. Our smart home electrical installations range from basic systems controlling lighting and heating through to comprehensive property automation, all tailored to your specific requirements and property characteristics. For lighting, we install programmable systems ranging from simple app-controlled switching to sophisticated scene-setting capabilities with automated routines, motion activation and remote management. Heating control installations include smart thermostats with zoned temperature management, learning capabilities to optimise efficiency, and integration with renewable energy systems increasingly popular in Bristol's eco-conscious developments. For security integration, we install intelligent circuit protection, CCTV power systems, and automated lighting patterns that simulate occupancy while properties are vacant. During rewiring projects, we incorporate future-proofing elements like neutral conductors at switch positions (essential for later smart switch installation) and data cabling infrastructure to support reliable network connectivity throughout properties. For Bath's period properties, we employ discreet installation techniques ensuring smart technology doesn't compromise heritage aesthetics, often concealing control units in cupboards or utility areas while maintaining original switch appearances in principal rooms. We primarily work with established, reliable systems including FIBARO, Lightwave, Hue, and Nest, avoiding proprietary closed systems that risk obsolescence. All our smart installations prioritise security and privacy, with proper network segregation and security protocols. Our approach balances technological capability with practical usability, ensuring systems enhance rather than complicate daily living through intuitive interfaces suitable for all household members regardless of technical familiarity.