Rewires split into three broad shapes in the Wingham area: unlisted 1950s to 1980s houses where a full lift-boards, chase-walls, replace-everything job is straightforward; 18th and 19th century cottages where every metre of cable route needs thinking about; and farmhouse rewires where the property has grown organically and there are three consumer units in three different rooms feeding partial circuits from three different eras.
Full rewire
Every socket, every switch, every circuit, new consumer unit, tested and certified. From £2,990. In an unlisted three-bed semi, two weeks with plaster reinstatement. In a Grade II thatched cottage, allow three to four weeks and plan around the conservation officer.
Partial and phased rewire
Sometimes the kitchen and bathroom are new but the upstairs circuits are still 1970s rubber-insulated cable. We do targeted circuit replacements with a proper interface at the consumer unit, so you end up with a coherent installation rather than a patchwork.
Phased room-by-room
For older residents who cannot move out during the rewire, we do it a room at a time over several weeks. First-floor lift where the joists give access, chase where they do not. We leave the room usable each evening.
Cable and finish
- Twin-and-earth 6242Y for lighting (1.5mm) and sockets (2.5mm) on domestic circuits. LSZH cable if the property specifies it.
- SWA for outbuilding sub-mains, sized for length and load with voltage drop calculated.
- Metal-clad accessories or dry-line boxes as the finish requires. In listed cottages we route to keep chase-cuts off principal elevations.
- Full circuit test on completion, EIC issued, notified to Building Control.
Old cable in Wingham cottages
Anything with cloth-and-rubber insulation from before 1970 is at end-of-life and should be replaced. Imperial-sized red/black PVC from the 1960s and 70s is still legal if in good condition, but earthing is often incomplete or missing entirely on lighting circuits.