Can You Rewire a House a Room at a Time?

Rewiring is a major electrical job, but it does not always have to be done all at once. In many cases, it is possible to rewire a house gradually, working on one room at a time.

This approach can help spread the cost, reduce disruption, and keep parts of the property usable while the work is carried out. In this article, we will explain when this is possible, how it works, and what you need to consider.

How Room-by-Room Rewiring Works

A room-by-room rewire involves updating the electrical wiring in one part of the property while leaving the rest of the system untouched until later.

This might mean:

• Rewiring a kitchen during a renovation

• Upgrading electrics in a loft conversion

• Updating one floor of a property at a time

Each stage is planned so that the new wiring integrates safely with the existing system until the whole property meets the latest UK wiring standards.

When It’s a Suitable Option

Rewiring a house one room at a time is not always possible. A qualified electrician will assess the property first.

This method works best when:

• The rest of the wiring is safe and serviceable for the time being

• Circuits can be isolated, so work in one room does not affect the rest of the property

• You want to align rewiring with planned renovations in specific rooms

• You need to minimise disruption to living arrangements or business operations

If your wiring is very old or unsafe, a full rewire may still be the safer choice.

Advantages of Rewiring Room by Room

1. Less Disruption

You can continue to use most of your home or commercial space while the work is done. This is particularly useful for offices, shops, or households that cannot be empty for long.

2. Spread the Cost

A full rewire can be a significant investment. Tackling it room by room allows you to spread the expense over several months or years.

3. Align with Renovations

If you are already refurbishing a room, it makes sense to upgrade the wiring at the same time. This avoids having to reopen walls or ceilings later.

Safety and Regulations

Even when rewiring one room at a time, all new work must comply with BS 7671 wiring regulations. This ensures the upgraded areas meet current safety standards.

Our rewiring services are always completed by NICEIC-registered electricians. We make sure each stage is tested, certified, and safe to use before moving on.

The Process

A typical room-by-room rewire follows these steps:

1. Inspection and planning – We assess the existing wiring, identify circuits, and agree on a plan.

2. Isolation of circuits – The area being rewired is disconnected from the rest of the system.

3. Installation – New wiring, sockets, switches, and lighting are installed to meet current standards.

4. Testing and certification – We fully test the new circuits and provide the necessary paperwork.

Each stage is designed to work seamlessly with future rewiring phases.

Minimising Disruption

Our electricians plan the work to fit around your schedule. For businesses, we can work out of hours to reduce downtime. In homes, we can rewire in phases so you can keep using other rooms.

We take care to protect furniture and flooring, and we keep mess to a minimum.

Things to Consider Before Choosing This Approach

• Total cost – Room-by-room rewiring may cost slightly more overall due to multiple visits and set-ups.

• Timeframe – Completing the whole property will take longer.

• Future-proofing – If you expect to rewire other areas soon, it may be more efficient to do them together.

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can rewire a house a room at a time, but it is not suitable for every property. If the rest of your wiring is in good condition and safe to use, this method offers flexibility, cost control, and minimal disruption. Always work with a qualified, registered electrician to ensure every stage meets UK safety regulations.