Electrical Rewiring & Electrical Upgrades in Brighton & Hove
Electrical work is one of the parts of a home you cannot see but rely on every day. In many Brighton and Hove properties the wiring is old, the fuse board is outdated and there are too few sockets for how people actually live. A rewire or upgrade should make the installation safe, add the circuits and points you need, and be certified properly — not just look tidy behind the switch plate.
When This Service Is Needed
- The wiring is old, with rubber, fabric or lead-sheathed cabling still in place.
- The fuse board is an old rewireable or plastic-cased unit without modern protection.
- Sockets are scarce, overloaded with extension leads, or two-pin.
- Lights flicker, fuses trip, or circuits cut out under normal use.
- You are renovating a kitchen, bathroom or whole property and want the electrics done first.
- A landlord or buyer's report has flagged the installation as unsatisfactory.
Brighton & Hove Property Context
Brighton and Hove has a large stock of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, many of which have been extended, converted or partly rewired over the years. That often leaves a mix of old and newer cabling on the same installation, undersized boards and circuits that have been added to piecemeal. In converted flats the supply arrangements, meter positions and shared areas need checking carefully, and leasehold rules can affect what can be done. Coastal air near the seafront can also mean older accessories and enclosures corrode faster, so condition matters as much as age.
Wiring & Materials
| Area | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Consumer unit | Modern board with RCD or RCBO protection |
| Cabling | Correctly rated cable in proper routes and depths |
| Circuits | Separate circuits for lighting, sockets and high-load appliances |
| Earthing and bonding | Main earthing and cross-bonding checked and upgraded |
| Accessories | Quality sockets, switches and fixings suited to the room |
How We Approach the Work
- 01Inspect the existing installation and test the current wiring and board.
- 02Discuss what is needed — full rewire, partial rewire or targeted upgrades.
- 03Plan circuits, socket positions, lighting and any new points with you.
- 04Isolate the supply safely and protect the property during the work.
- 05Run new cabling, chasing walls or lifting floors only where required.
- 06Fit the new consumer unit, circuits, sockets, switches and lighting.
- 07Make good chases and disturbed surfaces ready for decoration.
- 08Test, commission and issue the correct electrical certification.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is judging an installation by how the switches and sockets look rather than by testing it. Modern white sockets can sit on top of decades-old cabling and an outdated board. What matters is the condition of the wiring, the protection on the circuits, and proper earthing and bonding.
Another common mistake is doing electrical work too late in a renovation. Rewiring after walls are plastered or floors are laid means chasing and lifting finished surfaces. Electrics should be planned and first-fixed before decoration, tiling and flooring go in.
Building Regulations
Fixed electrical work in a home is covered by Part P of the Building Regulations. Notifiable work — such as a rewire, a new consumer unit, or new circuits — must be carried out to the current wiring standards and either self-certified by a registered electrician or notified to Building Control. Work in bathrooms and kitchens has extra requirements because of water and appliance loads. On completion you should receive the appropriate electrical certification, which is important for safety, for selling a home, and for landlords who must provide a valid electrical safety report for tenanted property.
Cost Factors
- Property size and number of rooms.
- Full rewire versus partial rewire or upgrade.
- Age and condition of the existing wiring.
- Number of new sockets, lights and circuits.
- Consumer unit and earthing upgrade requirements.
- Access difficulty, including floors, ceilings and solid walls.
- Whether the property is occupied or empty during works.
- Making good and preparing surfaces for decoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
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