Rewiring a Period Property in Winchester: What You Need to Know

Winchester and the surrounding Hampshire villages are home to some of England's most characterful period properties — from medieval timber-framed houses in the city centre to Georgian and Victorian cottages in villages like Cheriton, Itchen Abbas, and Old Alresford. While these homes have enormous charm, many still have electrical installations that are decades old and potentially dangerous.

When Does a Period Property Need Rewiring?

As a general rule, if your home's wiring is more than 25-30 years old, it should be inspected by a qualified electrician. If it's more than 40 years old, a full rewire is almost certainly needed. Warning signs include:

- Round-pin sockets (indicating pre-1947 wiring) - Rubber or lead-sheathed cables visible in the loft or under floors - A fuse board with rewirable fuses rather than modern MCBs - No earth connection or inadequate earthing - Sockets or switches that feel warm to the touch - Frequent blown fuses or tripping

The Unique Challenges of Period Properties

Rewiring a period home is more complex than rewiring a modern property. Key challenges include:

- Lath and plaster walls: These can't be chased in the same way as modern plasterboard or brick. We use careful routing techniques to minimise damage. - Listed building restrictions: If your property is Grade I or Grade II listed, you may need Listed Building Consent for electrical work. We can advise on this and work with your conservation officer. - Solid floors: Many period homes have solid stone or tile floors, making it difficult to run cables beneath them. We use alternative routing methods such as surface-mounted trunking (in sympathetic finishes) or routing through ceiling voids. - Aesthetic sensitivity: Nobody wants modern plastic trunking spoiling a 17th-century oak beam. We take pride in finding discreet, sympathetic solutions that preserve your home's character.

What Does a Full Rewire Involve?

A full rewire replaces all the fixed electrical wiring in your property, along with the consumer unit, sockets, switches, and light fittings. The process typically involves:

1. Survey and planning: We visit your property to assess the existing installation, discuss your requirements, and plan the cable routes. 2. First fix: The main wiring work — running new cables through the property, installing back boxes for sockets and switches, and fitting the new consumer unit. 3. Second fix: After any plastering or making good, we fit the sockets, switches, light fittings, and connect everything to the consumer unit. 4. Testing and certification: Every circuit is thoroughly tested and an Electrical Installation Certificate is issued.

How Long Does It Take?

A typical 3-bedroom period property takes 7-10 working days for a full rewire. Larger properties or those with particularly complex routing challenges may take longer. We work room by room to minimise disruption.

Cost Considerations

Rewiring costs depend on the size and complexity of the property. Period homes typically cost more than modern properties due to the additional care and time required. We provide detailed, itemised quotes with no hidden costs.

For a free survey and estimate for rewiring your Winchester period property, contact Orsidaen Electrical Services on 07801 201783.