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The Complete Homeowner Guide
Preparing for
Your House
Rewire
A house rewire is one of the most significant pieces of work your home will go through. This guide walks you through every stage — from what our team actually does, to exactly how to prepare your belongings, your family, and your home.
5-Year Guarantee
Safe Electric Certified
Full Clean-Up Included
Step by Step
What Happens During a House Rewire
Every stage of a GES rewire is planned to minimise disruption and leave your home looking as good as it did before we arrived — with safe, modern wiring throughout.
Days 1–2
Survey & Protection
Our team arrives, conducts a final walk-through of the property, and marks up the cable routes. Before any work begins, we lay heavy-duty protective sheeting on every floor and cover stairways. Furniture that cannot be moved is wrapped in dust sheets. This is also when the electricity is safely isolated at the consumer unit.
Before: Original consumer unit and fuse box
After
After protection: Floors sheeted, ready to begin
Days 2–3
Floors Lifted
Floorboards are carefully lifted to allow cables to be run beneath. We take care to remove them cleanly so they can be refitted neatly afterwards. In most homes this affects the ground floor and landing. Upstairs rooms are typically accessed from below where possible, minimising the number of boards lifted.
Before: Solid floorboards in place
After
During: Floors lifted, cables being routed
Days 3–5
Wall Chasing (First Fix)
Channels (called "chases") are cut into plaster walls to conceal the new cables. We use professional chasing tools fitted with dust extraction to keep mess to a minimum. Each chase is cut to the correct depth so the cable sits flush and is protected. All new cables are clipped, properly secured, and routed to a logical plan.
Before: Painted wall, original wiring in place
After
After chasing: Cables seated in chases
Days 5–7
Plastering
Once all cables are in position and the new consumer unit is fitted, our plasterers fill every chase flush with the surrounding wall. Patch plastering is completed throughout the home. We allow sufficient drying time — typically 24–48 hours — before painting can begin. The walls are left flat, smooth, and ready for decoration.
Before plastering: Open chases with cables
After
After plastering: Smooth, ready to paint
Days 7–9
Second Fix & Electrical Points
With plastering complete, we return to fit all the electrical accessories — sockets, switches, light fittings, and USB outlets. Each point is wired, tested individually, then connected to the new consumer unit. The consumer unit is commissioned, every circuit is tested to Irish wiring regulations (ET 101:2018), and your Safe Electric completion certificate is issued on the final day.
Before second fix: Back boxes in place
After
After second fix: Finished sockets and switches
Day 10
Floors Relaid & Clean-Up
Floorboards are relaid and secured. Our team removes all protective sheeting, sweeps and vacuums throughout, and takes away all waste. Any wall areas that needed patch painting are touched up. We do a final walk-through with you before we leave so you can inspect everything and ask any questions.
Before: Boards lifted during cabling
After
After: Floors back down, clean finish
Your Checklist
How to Prepare Your Home
A well-prepared property means our crew can work faster, your belongings are protected, and you're back in sooner. Follow this guide and the job will go as smoothly as possible.
Pro tip
Think of it like a short house move. The more you pack and protect before the crew arrives, the faster the work goes — and the less cleaning you'll need when you move back in.
1–2 Weeks Before
- Book alternative accommodation for the full duration of the rewire (up to 10 working days). We strongly recommend not living in the property during the work — there will be no electricity for extended periods, significant dust, and open floors.
- Arrange kennels or alternative care for pets for the duration of the work.
- Notify your home insurance provider that rewiring works are taking place.
- Identify and label your current consumer unit so our team can discuss which circuits serve which rooms.
- Remove any wall-mounted TVs, shelves, mirrors, or pictures from rooms being worked on. Keep fixings together in labelled bags.
- Order packing boxes and bubble wrap — you will need more than you think.
Pack Away & Clear Out
- Clear all surfaces: mantelpieces, shelves, windowsills, and kitchen worktops. Dust will settle everywhere, even in rooms that aren't being worked on directly.
- Remove all ornaments, photo frames, lamps, and small appliances and store them in sealed boxes. Consider moving valuable or sentimental items off-site entirely.
- Pack away loose clothing from wardrobes in rooms being worked on — dust penetrates easily.
- Empty kitchen cupboards near sockets if those areas are being re-pointed or new circuits fitted.
- Store children's toys and belongings in sealed boxes or take them to a relative's house.
- Remove any rugs or mats — floorboards may be lifted and mats will become a tripping hazard.
Protect What Stays
- Cover all sofas, armchairs, and beds with heavy dust sheets. Double-layer anything fabric as fine plaster dust will pass through a single sheet.
- Wrap mattresses in plastic sheeting or mattress bags for extra protection.
- Cover kitchen appliances that can't be moved (built-in oven, dishwasher) with dust sheets.
- Move cars off the driveway to give our crew clear access and parking for the van.
- Seal the gap under doors in rooms adjacent to the work area using a rolled towel or draught excluder — this dramatically reduces dust spread.
While Work Is Underway
- Power will be off throughout the property for most of the working day. This is the main reason we recommend not living in the house during the rewire.
- If you need to visit the property during the work, let the crew know in advance so they can ensure safe access.
- Keep a clear path to all rooms at all times. Do not store boxes in hallways or on staircases.
- Our crew will send you progress updates and photos throughout the job so you know exactly how things are going.
- If you plan to visit, expect noise from chasing tools, drills, and floorboard removal.
- Do not allow children or pets into the property during the work — open floors and exposed cabling are a serious hazard.
What to Expect
A Typical 10-Day Timeline
Based on a standard 3-bedroom semi-detached home. Most rewires take up to 10 working days. Larger properties or those with extensions may take longer.
1
Days 1–2
Arrival, Survey & Protection
- Team arrives 8am
- Walk-through and final layout agreed
- Protective sheeting laid on all floors
- Electricity isolated at the consumer unit
- Ground floor floorboards lifted
- Cable route marking throughout the property
2
Days 2–3
Floors Lifted & Cabling Begins
- Remaining floorboards lifted where required
- Cables run under floors and through joists
- First fix cabling begins on ground floor
- Back box positions marked and cut
3
Days 3–5
Wall Chasing & First Fix
- All cable routes chased into walls
- Back boxes for sockets and switches installed
- Consumer unit position confirmed and prepared
- All cable ends labelled and secured
- Dust extraction used throughout chasing
4
Days 5–7
Consumer Unit & Plastering
- New consumer unit (fuse board) fitted and wired
- All chases filled and plastered flush
- Plaster drying time allowed (24–48 hours)
- Protective sheeting removed progressively
- Site cleaned down at end of each day
5
Days 7–9
Second Fix & Testing
- All sockets, switches, and fittings installed
- Every circuit tested individually
- Consumer unit commissioned and labelled
- Full electrical test to ET 101:2018 carried out
- Safe Electric completion certificate issued
6
Day 10
Floors Relaid, Clean-Up & Handover
- Floorboards relaid and secured
- Final clean-up throughout the property
- Waste and skip collected
- Walk-through with homeowner
- Certificate and compliance documents handed over
- Property ready for you to move back in
Common Questions
Your Questions, Answered
Still unsure about something? Call us directly — we're happy to talk through any concerns before you commit to a date.
01 963 6636Yes — we strongly recommend moving out for the full duration of the rewire. A typical house rewire takes up to 10 working days. During this time there will be extended periods without electricity, significant dust from wall chasing and plastering, and open floorboards throughout the property. It is not practical or safe to live in the house while the work is being carried out. We'll discuss accommodation timing with you at the consultation stage.
The electricity will be off for most of each working day throughout the rewire. On some days the entire property will be without power, particularly during consumer unit work and circuit testing. This is one of the key reasons we recommend not staying in the property during the work. Power is fully restored once the new consumer unit is commissioned and tested on the final day.
Wall chasing does produce fine plaster dust. We use dust extraction tools on our chasing equipment and lay protective sheeting throughout, but some dust is inevitable. We recommend storing belongings in sealed boxes, covering remaining furniture in dust sheets, and allowing for a thorough clean after completion — which our team carries out.
Less than most people expect. Modern chasing tools make clean, precise cuts. Floorboards are removed carefully and refitted neatly. All chases are filled flush with patching plaster as part of our standard package. The walls won't look perfect immediately — plaster needs 24–48 hours to dry before painting — but the finish is flat and even.
No — the kitchen circuits will be disconnected for most of the rewire, and the room will be affected by dust and disruption. This is another reason we recommend arranging alternative accommodation for the full duration of the work rather than trying to live around it.
Occasionally we discover old aluminium wiring, asbestos rope insulation, or structural anomalies during the work. We pause work, photograph the finding, and discuss it with you immediately before proceeding. Any variation to the original scope is agreed with you in writing before we continue.
Absolutely. At the survey stage you'll discuss socket placement, switch heights, and any additional circuits with our lead electrician. If you want USB sockets, USB-C outlets, or data points added, this is the time to plan them. Changes after cabling has started may affect the schedule.
Your Safe Electric completion certificate is issued on the final day once all testing is complete and every circuit passes. You'll receive a physical copy and we can email a digital version. The cert is essential for your home insurance records and required if you sell or re-mortgage.
Get a Free Quote
Ready to book your rewire?
Fill in the form and we'll get back to you within 24 hours to arrange a free, no-obligation home survey. No call centres — you'll speak directly to our team.
Find out if we're in your area
* Our services are not limited to these areas, so please contact us if your area is not listed
Phone: 01 963 6636
Email: info@gormanelectrical.ie