Is Rewiring a House Messy? What to Expect and How to Prepare
Let’s be honest: rewiring a house does involve disruption. It’s one of the most invasive electrical jobs you can undertake—but with the right team (👋 that’s us!), it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
If you’re based in Bristol or surrounding areas like Downend, Hanham, or Staple Hill, this guide will walk you through what to expect, how messy things actually get, and what you can do to prepare for a smooth, stress-free rewire.
What Makes a House Rewire “Messy”?
A full house rewire means replacing all the electrical cabling, sockets, switches, and the consumer unit. This usually involves:
- Chasing into plaster walls to run new cables
- Lifting floorboards to access routes
- Drilling through ceilings, walls, and joists
So yes—it’s dusty. But it’s controlled dust. We use dust sheets, hoovers, and protection throughout the project.
Can You Live in the House During a Rewire?
You can, but be prepared for:
- Limited access to rooms on certain days
- No power or lighting in areas being worked on
- Noise, dust, and tools during working hours
That said, many of our clients do live in during the job—especially in Hanham and Staple Hill where homes are often rewired room by room. We’ll work with you to schedule in phases and keep one area live where possible.
How We Keep Disruption to a Minimum
At Burridge Electrical, we pride ourselves on tidy work and respectful service. Here’s how we reduce the mess:
- Dust control: Dust sheets, zip walls (where needed), and extraction tools
- Daily tidy-ups: We vacuum and clear before we leave each day
- Organised planning: So you know exactly what we’ll be working on and when
- Minimal chasing where possible: Especially in finished rooms or modern extensions
We’re also happy to work alongside decorators or plasterers to schedule efficiently.
Top Tips to Prepare for a Rewire
- Move or cover furniture in the rooms being worked on
- Take down curtains/blinds where walls will be chased
- Protect flooring with covers or rugs (we also bring our own)
- Empty lofts or storage areas if cabling needs to go through them
- Plan for no power during the day in certain rooms
Pro Tip: If you’re planning a rewire, consider doing it before a new kitchen, bathroom or flooring install to save disruption later.
Is the Mess Worth It?
Yes—and here’s why:
- You’ll have a safe, modern electrical system
- Fewer future faults or disruptions
- The opportunity to add new sockets, kitchen upgrades, or future technologies
Plus, with a professional and clean team like ours, it’s a lot more manageable than you might think!