If your Chatham home needs a full rewire, you’ll probably hear your electrician talk about “first fix” and “second fix” — but what do they actually mean? Put simply, first fix is when we install the new cables, back boxes and other wiring while the walls and floors are accessible, while second fix is when we return to fit the sockets, switches, lights and accessories. At Eru Electrics, a typical full house rewire could cost around £4,000–£7,000, depending on the size and condition of the property, the number of circuits and how much work is involved. A rewiring Chatham project is a big job, but understanding the process makes it feel much less daunting.
What happens during the first fix?
The first fix is essentially getting all the hidden electrical work where it needs to be. We’ll carefully plan the installation before removing old cables and running the new wiring throughout the property. This can involve lifting floorboards, working within walls and installing new back boxes for sockets and switches.
It’s often the messier part of a rewire, so it’s worth knowing what to expect before you start. We’ll do our best to keep disruption under control, but there’s no getting away from the fact that a full rewire involves working throughout the house. This is why good planning is so important, particularly when you're still living in the property.
We recently carried out a rewire at a Victorian terraced family home on Lansdown Road. Dad and his two teenage children had lived there for more than ten years, and the electrical installation was well overdue an update. There had also been a few warning signs, including a fuseboard that kept tripping and lights that were starting to flicker.
The family knew it was time to bite the bullet and get the house rewired, but they also needed to think about where everyone would stay while the work was being carried out. The two children were going to stay with their mum during the rewire, while Dad planned to remain at home and come back each evening.
This is a good example of why we always have a chat with customers about their circumstances before starting a rewiring Chatham project. Every family and every property is different, and knowing how you're going to use the house while we're working allows us to plan the job around you as much as possible.
What happens during the second fix?
Once the first fix is complete and the walls, ceilings and floors are ready for the next stage, we move on to the second fix. This is when the new electrical installation starts to look like an actual home again!
We'll fit the sockets, switches, light fittings and other electrical accessories that you've chosen. This is also when you'll really start to see the difference your new installation is going to make. If you've taken the opportunity to add extra sockets, change switch positions or improve your lighting, everything starts coming together at this stage.
The second fix is generally much less disruptive than the first fix, but we still take care to work neatly and treat your home with respect.
The Lansdown Road family knew their rewire was overdue, and tackling the flickering lights and tripping fuseboard gave them the opportunity to bring the home's electrical installation up to date. By planning where the children would stay and making sure Dad knew what to expect each evening, the work could be managed around their family routine.
If your home needs a rewiring Chatham project, contact Eru Electrics today by phone on 01634 917122 or via our contact form to discuss your requirements.
