A full house rewire in the UK typically takes 5 to 10 days with most electrical contractors, depending on the size and complexity of the property. However, Manchester Compliance Ltd completes both first fix and second fix wiring in a single day for most 2-4 bedroom properties, with plastering and making good carried out on days 2-3 — significantly reducing the disruption to homeowners and landlords.
If you’re planning a house rewire in Manchester, understanding the timeline is essential. In this article, we break down how long a rewire normally takes, what’s involved at each stage, and why our approach gets the job done faster than any traditional contractor.
What Is a House Rewire?
A house rewire involves replacing all of the fixed electrical wiring throughout a property. This means removing the existing cables behind walls and ceilings, and installing brand-new wiring that meets current British Standards. In addition to the cables themselves, a full rewire includes replacing the consumer unit (fuse board), all socket outlets, light switches, light fittings, ceiling roses, and any associated accessories.
Essentially, a rewire strips out the entire electrical infrastructure of a home and replaces it from scratch. As a result, the property ends up with a completely new electrical installation that complies with BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) and carries a full Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC).
Most properties in the UK need a rewire once the existing wiring reaches 25 to 30 years old. If you’ve had a failed EICR, your inspector may have already recommended a rewire as the most effective way to bring the installation up to standard.
How Long Does a Rewire Normally Take?
With most electrical contractors in the UK, a full house rewire takes between 5 and 10 working days. For larger or more complex properties, it can stretch to 2 weeks or more. Here’s why it typically takes so long:
First fix (days 1-3): This is the stage where electricians run all the new cables through the walls, floors and ceilings. It involves lifting floorboards, chasing channels into walls, drilling through joists, and pulling cables to every socket, switch and light position in the property. First fix is the most disruptive phase because it creates a lot of dust and debris.
Second fix (days 4-6): Once the cables are in place, the electricians return to fit all the front-end accessories — sockets, switches, light fittings, the new consumer unit, and smoke detectors. Second fix can only begin after the plasterer has made good the chased walls from first fix.
Plastering and making good (days 5-8): Between first fix and second fix, a plasterer needs to fill and skim all the channels that were cut into the walls. This adds extra days to the schedule and requires coordination between trades.
Testing and certification (days 8-10): Finally, the electrician carries out full testing and inspection of the new installation, then issues the Electrical Installation Certificate.
Consequently, homeowners and landlords are typically looking at a minimum of one full week — and often closer to two — of significant disruption. For landlords, this means the property sits empty and generates no rental income for that entire period.
How Manchester Compliance Does It in 1 Day
At Manchester Compliance, we’ve developed a process that compresses both first fix and second fix into a single working day. This is our key competitive advantage, and it’s made possible by the way we structure our teams and schedule our work.
Here’s how a typical 1-day rewire works:
Our team of electricians arrives at 7:00am. Rather than sending one or two electricians, we deploy a full team so that every room in the property can be worked on simultaneously. First fix begins immediately — cables are run, the consumer unit position is prepared, and all new circuits are roughed in throughout the property.
Because multiple electricians work in parallel, first fix is completed by early afternoon. The team then moves straight into second fix on the same day — fitting all sockets, switches, light fittings, the new consumer unit, smoke and heat detectors, and every other accessory. By the end of the working day, the entire electrical installation is complete, tested and certified.
On days 2-3, our plasterer arrives to make good all the chased walls and any areas that need patching. Because the electrical work is already finished, the plasterer can work through the entire property without waiting for any further electrical activity.
Therefore, instead of 5 to 10 days of overlapping trades and extended disruption, the entire rewire process — from first cable to final plaster skim — is finished within 3 days. For homeowners, that means getting their home back to normal in less than half the time. For landlords, it means significantly less void time and faster return to rental income.
What’s Included in a Full Rewire?
When Manchester Compliance carries out a full house rewire, everything is included as standard. There are no hidden extras or surprise add-ons. Here’s exactly what you get:
- New consumer unit with RCD or RCBO protection — the heart of your electrical installation, ensuring every circuit has modern safety protection
- All new wiring throughout the property — fully compliant with BS 7671 (18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations), replacing every metre of old cable
- New socket outlets and switches — fitted in every room, with additional sockets added where needed for modern living
- New light fittings and ceiling roses — installed and connected as part of the second fix
- Smoke and heat detectors — mains-wired with battery backup, positioned in accordance with Building Regulations and BS 5839-6
- Full Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) — the official certificate confirming the new installation meets all current standards, registered with NICEIC
- Plastering and making good — all chased walls filled, skimmed and left ready for decoration on days 2-3
In other words, when we leave the property, the only thing left for the homeowner to do is paint over the fresh plaster. Everything else is done.
How Much Does a House Rewire Cost in Manchester?
House rewire costs vary depending on the size of the property. At Manchester Compliance, our pricing is fully inclusive — covering all materials, labour, certification, and plastering. There are no hidden costs.
Here are our typical rewire prices in 2026:
- 2-3 bedroom property: From £3,500 inc VAT
- 3 bedroom property: From £4,500 inc VAT
- 4+ bedroom property: From £5,500 inc VAT
These prices include the full consumer unit upgrade, all new wiring, sockets, switches, light fittings, smoke detectors, the Electrical Installation Certificate, and plastering on days 2-3. We provide a fixed-price quote before any work begins, so you know exactly what you’re paying.
Compared to the industry average ‚Äî where a rewire can cost similar amounts but take 5-10 days ‚Äî you’re getting the same quality installation in a fraction of the time. For landlords, the reduced void period alone can save hundreds of pounds in lost rental income.
When Does a Property Need Rewiring?
Not every property needs a full rewire, but there are several clear indicators that it’s time. You should consider a rewire if any of the following apply:
- The property is over 25-30 years old — wiring deteriorates over time, and installations from the 1990s or earlier are unlikely to meet current safety standards
- The property has failed an EICR — if your Electrical Installation Condition Report has returned C1 (danger present) or C2 (potentially dangerous) codes across multiple circuits, a rewire is often the most cost-effective solution
- You can see rubber or lead-sheathed cables — these materials were used in pre-1960s wiring and are well beyond their safe service life
- The property still has rewirable fuses ‚Äî older fuse boards with wire fuse carriers don’t provide the same level of protection as modern RCD/RCBO consumer units
- There’s no RCD protection ‚Äî Residual Current Devices are essential for protecting against electric shock, and their absence is a serious safety concern
- You’re planning a major renovation ‚Äî if you’re already stripping back walls for a kitchen or bathroom refit, it’s the ideal time to rewire while the property is already disrupted
If you’re unsure whether your property needs a rewire, the best first step is to book an EICR. The report will tell you exactly what condition the wiring is in and whether a full rewire is recommended.
Book a Rewire With Manchester Compliance
If your property needs a rewire, there’s no reason to accept 5-10 days of disruption. Manchester Compliance delivers a complete house rewire ‚Äî first fix and second fix ‚Äî in a single day, with plastering and making good on days 2-3.
We’re an NICEIC Approved Contractor and Part P Registered, which means every installation is independently verified and registered on the national database. Your Electrical Installation Certificate is accepted by all mortgage lenders, insurers, and local authorities.
Visit our House Rewires service page for full details, or get in touch today for a free, no-obligation quote.
NICEIC Approved Contractor
Part P Registered
Full house rewire in 1 day
Plastering included — day 2-3
Full certification (EIC) included
From £3,500 inc VAT (2-3 bed)
We serve Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Wigan, and surrounding areas.
Need a House Rewire in Manchester?
Full rewire in 1 day. Plastering included. NICEIC certified and fully compliant.
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Published March 2026 by Manchester Compliance Ltd — NICEIC Approved Contractor serving Greater Manchester and surrounding areas.