Rewiring Services in Seaford & Newhaven: Complete House Rewire Cost Guide

If you own an older property in Seaford or Newhaven, the electrical wiring behind your walls may be long overdue for replacement. A house rewire in Seaford is one of the most common major electrical projects we carry out along the East Sussex coast, and for good reason: many homes in these towns were built between the 1930s and 1960s and still have their original wiring. That wiring was not designed to support the electrical demands of modern life, and after decades of use, it presents genuine safety risks including fire and electric shock.

In this guide, we explain the warning signs that your home needs rewiring, the difference between a full and partial rewire, what the process involves from start to finish, realistic costs for properties in the Seaford and Newhaven area, and how we keep disruption to an absolute minimum. Whether you are planning a renovation, preparing a property for sale, or simply concerned about the safety of your electrics, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

Signs Your Home Needs Rewiring

Not all homes need a full rewire, but certain warning signs indicate that your wiring is no longer safe or fit for purpose. If you recognise any of the following in your property, it is worth arranging a professional assessment.

Flickering or Dimming Lights

Occasional flickering when a high-power appliance kicks in, such as a washing machine or tumble dryer, is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, persistent flickering or dimming across multiple rooms usually points to deteriorating connections, damaged cables, or circuits that are struggling under load. This is particularly common in older Seaford properties where the original lighting circuits were designed for far fewer fittings than a modern household uses.

Burning Smells or Discolouration

A burning smell near sockets, switches, or the consumer unit is one of the most serious warning signs. It indicates that wiring or connections are overheating, which is a direct fire risk. Discolouration or scorch marks around socket faceplates are equally concerning. If you notice a burning smell from any electrical fitting, stop using it immediately and contact a qualified electrician the same day.

Outdated Socket and Switch Styles

Round-pin sockets, brown Bakelite switches, or fabric-covered cables visible at fittings are clear indicators that the wiring has not been updated since the property was built. While the style of the fittings is not dangerous in itself, it tells you that the wiring behind them is likely 50 years old or more and almost certainly does not meet current safety standards.

Property Age Over 25 Years

If your home is more than 25 years old and has never been rewired, the wiring should be inspected by a qualified electrician. Properties over 40 years old with original wiring are strong candidates for a full rewire. The rubber and lead insulation used in pre-1960s wiring degrades over time, becoming brittle and exposing the live conductors. Even PVC-insulated wiring from the 1970s and 1980s can deteriorate in damp conditions, particularly in coastal properties like those in Seaford and Newhaven.

Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips

If your circuit breakers or RCDs trip regularly without an obvious cause, this can indicate insulation breakdown, moisture ingress, or loose connections within the wiring. Occasional tripping after plugging in a faulty appliance is normal and means your protective devices are working. Frequent, unexplained trips are a symptom of a deeper problem with the installation.

Insufficient Sockets and Overloaded Circuits

Older homes were typically wired with far fewer sockets than modern families need. If you find yourself relying on extension leads and adaptors throughout the house, your circuits are likely overloaded. Overloading creates heat, and heat in electrical wiring is a fire risk. A rewire allows us to install sufficient sockets in every room and design circuits that comfortably handle your actual electrical demands.

No RCD Protection

If your consumer unit does not have RCD (Residual Current Device) protection, your home lacks the safety mechanism that prevents fatal electric shocks. RCDs detect current leaking to earth and disconnect the supply within milliseconds. A full rewire includes a new consumer unit with modern RCD or RCBO protection as standard.

Full vs Partial Rewiring

One of the first questions homeowners ask is whether they need a full rewire or whether a partial rewire will suffice. The answer depends on the age and condition of your existing wiring, your budget, and your plans for the property.

When a Full Rewire Is Appropriate

A full rewire in East Sussex is the right choice when:

• The property has its original wiring from before the 1970s
• Rubber, lead-sheathed, or fabric-insulated cables are present
• The existing wiring fails an EICR inspection with multiple C1 or C2 codes
• You are carrying out a major renovation that will expose walls and floors
• The consumer unit is outdated and lacks RCD protection
• You plan to stay in the property long-term and want a modern, safe installation

A full rewire replaces every cable, socket, switch, light fitting, and the consumer unit. It brings the entire electrical installation up to current BS 7671 standards and provides a clean slate that will serve the property for 25 to 40 years.

When a Partial Rewire Makes Sense

A partial rewire upgrades specific circuits or areas of the home rather than the entire installation. It is appropriate when:

• Only certain circuits have deteriorated while others remain in good condition
• You are renovating one or two rooms and want to upgrade those areas
• The main circuits are sound but the kitchen and bathroom need modernising
• Budget constraints prevent a full rewire, and the partial approach addresses the most critical safety issues
• An EICR has identified specific circuits as unsatisfactory while others passed

A partial rewire typically costs between £500 and £1,500 per room, depending on the extent of work. It is a pragmatic option, but it does mean that older wiring remains in place in other parts of the home. We always advise clients on the condition of the remaining wiring so they can make an informed decision.

Cost Comparison

Approach	Typical Cost (3-bed)	Pros	Cons
Full rewire	£3,500 -- £6,000	Complete safety upgrade, new circuits throughout, long-term solution	Higher upfront cost, more disruption, requires making good
Partial rewire	£500 -- £1,500 per room	Lower cost, less disruption, targets critical areas	Old wiring remains elsewhere, may need further work later

For most properties with pre-1970s wiring, a full rewire is the more cost-effective choice in the long run. Partial rewires can become more expensive overall if the remaining wiring deteriorates and requires replacement within a few years.

The Rewiring Process Explained

A house rewire is a significant project, but when it is planned and executed properly, it follows a clear sequence. Understanding each stage helps you plan your time and coordinate with other trades if you are also renovating.

Stage 1: Survey and Design (1-2 Days)

Before any work begins, we carry out a thorough survey of the existing electrical installation. We inspect the consumer unit, test circuits, check the condition of the earthing and bonding, and assess the wiring throughout the property. Based on the survey, we design the new installation, including the number and position of sockets, switches, light fittings, and any dedicated circuits you need (cooker, shower, EV charger, home office, etc.).

This is the stage where we discuss your requirements in detail. If you want USB sockets in the kitchen, dimmer switches in the living room, or outdoor lighting in the garden, it all goes into the design now. Changes are easy at this point and costly once cabling is in place.

Stage 2: First Fix (3-5 Days)

The first fix is the most disruptive stage. It involves running all new cables through the property, which means lifting floorboards, chasing channels into walls, and drilling through joists and studs. The cables are routed from the consumer unit to every socket, switch, and light position in the house.

During first fix, the house will be without power to the circuits being worked on. We work room by room where possible to minimise inconvenience, and we can usually maintain a live supply to essential areas (fridge, freezer, temporary lighting) via temporary connections.

The first fix ends with all cables in position but not yet connected to fittings. The walls will have channels chased into them, ready for plastering.

Stage 3: Plastering and Making Good (1-2 Weeks)

After first fix, a plasterer fills and makes good all the channels and openings in the walls. This is not our work, but we coordinate with your plasterer (or can recommend one) to ensure everything is scheduled efficiently. The plaster needs to dry before we return, which typically takes one to two weeks depending on the time of year and ventilation.

If you are already renovating, the plastering phase may already be part of your project plan, in which case the rewire dovetails neatly into the build schedule.

Stage 4: Second Fix (2-3 Days)

Once the plaster is dry, we return for the second fix. This is when we install all the visible elements: socket faceplates, light switches, light fittings, the new consumer unit, cooker connections, and any other accessories. The second fix is far less disruptive than the first fix because it involves no chasing or lifting of floorboards.

Stage 5: Testing and Certification (1 Day)

Every circuit in the new installation is individually tested using calibrated instruments. We check insulation resistance, earth fault loop impedance, RCD trip times, and polarity on every circuit. The testing confirms that every part of the installation is safe and compliant with BS 7671.

On completion, we issue an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) documenting the full design, installation, and test results. As Part P Registered electricians, we also notify Building Control on your behalf at no additional cost.

Overall Timeline

For a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house, the rewiring process takes approximately:

• Survey and design: 1-2 days
• First fix: 3-5 days
• Plastering gap: 1-2 weeks
• Second fix: 2-3 days
• Testing and certification: 1 day

The total elapsed time from start to handover is typically 4 to 6 weeks, though the actual electrician time on site is around 7 to 10 working days.

Cost Breakdown for Seaford and Newhaven

Transparent pricing matters, and we believe you should know what to expect before committing to a rewire. Here is a realistic breakdown of rewiring costs in Newhaven and Seaford for 2026.

Typical Costs by Property Size

Property Type	Typical Cost
1-bedroom flat	£2,000 -- £3,500
2-bedroom house	£3,000 -- £4,500
3-bedroom semi-detached	£3,500 -- £6,000
4-bedroom detached	£5,000 -- £8,000
5-bedroom house	£7,000 -- £10,000

These prices include all labour, materials, testing, certification, and Building Control notification. They do not include plastering and redecoration, which are typically arranged separately.

Factors That Affect the Cost

Property age and construction -- Older properties with lath-and-plaster walls, solid floors, or limited void space require more time and care to route cables. A 1930s Seaford semi will typically cost more to rewire than a 1990s townhouse because the construction is less accessible.

Number of circuits -- The more sockets, switches, and dedicated circuits you need, the more cable and labour are required. A modern rewire for a family home typically includes 8 to 12 circuits, but properties with electric showers, cookers, EV chargers, and home offices may need 15 or more.

Accessibility -- Properties with concrete ground floors, limited loft access, or multi-storey layouts take longer. Terraced houses with shared party walls also present routing challenges.

Consumer unit specification -- A standard dual-RCD consumer unit costs less than a full RCBO board, where every circuit gets individual protection. We recommend RCBO boards for larger properties or where losing power to multiple circuits simultaneously would be particularly disruptive.

Additional work -- If the earthing and bonding need upgrading, if the incoming supply tails are undersized, or if we discover asbestos during the work, these additional requirements add to the cost. We always discuss any additional work before proceeding.

What Is Included

Every rewire from D J Fox Electrical includes:

• Free pre-installation survey and design consultation
• All cables, fittings, and materials
• New consumer unit with RCD or RCBO protection
• Surge protection device
• Circuit labelling and documentation
• Comprehensive testing of every circuit
• Electrical Installation Certificate
• Building Control notification via Part P self-certification
• 12-month workmanship guarantee
• Clean and tidy work area throughout the project

Payment Terms

For larger projects, we offer staged payments:

• 10% deposit on acceptance of the quotation
• 40% on completion of first fix (all cabling installed)
• 50% on completion and handover (second fix, testing, and certification)

We do not ask for full payment upfront, and we are happy to discuss payment arrangements for any project.

Minimal Disruption Strategies

We understand that a rewire is an upheaval. You may be living in the property, managing a family, or working from home during the project. Our approach is designed to keep disruption to the minimum.

Room-by-Room Approach

Rather than stripping the entire house at once, we work through the property room by room where the layout allows. This means you can continue using rooms that are not currently being worked on. For families, we prioritise keeping bedrooms, the kitchen, and at least one bathroom functional throughout.

Dust Protection

Chasing walls generates significant dust. We use heavy-duty dust sheets to protect furniture and flooring, and we seal doorways with temporary dust barriers to prevent dust migrating through the house. Where possible, we use dust extraction equipment connected directly to our chasing tools.

Working Hours

We work standard hours (8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) unless you specifically request otherwise. We arrive on time, we let you know what we will be working on each day, and we aim to keep noise to reasonable periods. If you work from home, we can schedule the noisiest work (chasing, drilling) for times that suit your meeting schedule.

Temporary Power

During first fix, we can usually maintain a temporary supply to key areas. Your fridge, freezer, and a temporary lighting circuit can typically remain live while we work on other parts of the installation. We plan this with you before work starts so there are no surprises.

Daily Clean-Up

At the end of each working day, we tidy the work area, sweep up debris, and leave the property in a reasonable state. We do not leave tools, cables, and rubble scattered across your home overnight.

Family and Pet Coordination

If you have young children or pets, let us know during the planning stage. We take extra care to secure work areas, and we can adjust our approach to minimise risk. Open floorboards and exposed cables are covered or barriered at the end of each day.

Building Regulations and Certification

Rewiring is classified as notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations. This means it must either be carried out by a registered electrician or notified to Building Control before work begins.

Part P Compliance

Part P requires that electrical installations in dwellings are designed, installed, inspected, and tested by a competent person. As a Part P Registered contractor, D J Fox Electrical is authorised to self-certify our own work. This means we handle the Building Control notification on your behalf, and you receive a compliance certificate without needing to arrange separate inspections or pay additional fees.

NICEIC Certification

As an NICEIC Approved Contractor, our work is regularly audited by the NICEIC to ensure it meets required standards. This gives you an additional layer of protection beyond the basic Part P registration. If any issue arises with our work, the NICEIC operates a formal complaints and disputes process.

Certificates You Will Receive

On completion of a rewire, you will receive:

1. Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) -- The formal document confirming that the installation has been designed, constructed, and tested in accordance with BS 7671. This includes full test results for every circuit.

2. Building Control Compliance Certificate -- Issued after we submit the Part P notification. This confirms that the work meets Building Regulations requirements.

Both certificates should be kept with your property records. You will need them when selling the property, making insurance claims, or demonstrating compliance to tenants or letting agents.

Why This Matters

A rewire without proper certification is not just a regulatory issue. It can invalidate your home insurance, reduce your property value, create legal problems when selling, and leave you liable if a fault causes injury or damage. The certification process exists to protect you, and it is included as standard in every rewire we carry out.

Older Properties in Seaford and Newhaven

The housing stock in Seaford and Newhaven presents specific challenges that we deal with regularly. Understanding these helps you know what to expect if your property falls into one of these categories.

1930s to 1960s Builds

A large proportion of homes in both Seaford and Newhaven were built between the 1930s and 1960s. These properties typically have:

• Rubber-insulated cables that have become brittle and cracked over time, exposing live conductors
• Lead-sheathed wiring in some pre-war properties, which requires careful handling and disposal
• No earth conductor in the lighting circuits, relying instead on the cable sheath for earthing
• Rewireable fuses rather than modern MCBs, providing inadequate overcurrent protection
• Insufficient circuits for modern electrical demands, often just one ring main and one lighting circuit per floor

These properties are strong candidates for a full rewire. The original wiring has exceeded its expected lifespan, and the safety features that modern installations rely on are entirely absent.

Victorian and Edwardian Properties

Seaford has a number of Victorian and Edwardian homes, particularly in the town centre and along the seafront. If these properties have not been rewired since the mid-20th century, the wiring may include a mixture of very old and slightly less old cables from various periods of modification. Mixed installations are particularly problematic because the earthing arrangements may be inconsistent and the overall condition is difficult to assess without a full inspection.

Coastal Conditions

Both Seaford and Newhaven are exposed to salt air, which accelerates corrosion of electrical fittings, particularly outdoor installations, consumer units in damp locations, and earth connections. During a rewire, we take coastal conditions into account by specifying corrosion-resistant fittings for outdoor and semi-exposed locations and ensuring that earthing connections are robust and accessible for future inspection.

Asbestos Considerations

Properties built or renovated between the 1950s and 1980s may contain asbestos in various locations, including around boiler flues, in textured coatings (Artex), in floor tiles, and in cement panels. During a rewire, we may encounter asbestos when lifting floors, accessing ceiling voids, or chasing walls. If we suspect asbestos, we stop work in that area and advise you on the appropriate next steps, which may involve a licensed asbestos survey and removal before we can proceed. This is a legal requirement and not something that can be overlooked.

Lath-and-Plaster Walls

Many pre-war properties in the area have lath-and-plaster walls rather than plasterboard. Chasing cables into lath-and-plaster requires more care and creates more making-good work than plasterboard. We use routing methods that minimise damage where possible, including running cables through the loft space and under floors rather than chasing into every wall.

Coverage Areas

D J Fox Electrical provides professional rewiring services across the coastal towns of East Sussex. Our core coverage for rewiring includes:

Seaford

We serve all areas of Seaford, including the town centre, Bishopstone, East Blatchington, Chyngton, and the Sutton area. Seaford's mix of Victorian seaside villas, inter-war semis, and post-war estates means we encounter the full range of rewiring challenges on a regular basis.

Newhaven

We cover all of Newhaven, including the town centre, Denton, South Heighton, and the harbour area. Newhaven's housing stock includes Victorian terraces, 1930s council-built estates, and newer developments, each with different electrical characteristics and rewiring requirements.

Peacehaven and Telscombe

Peacehaven and the adjoining Telscombe Cliffs area are largely 1920s to 1960s bungalows and houses, many of which still have original wiring. We carry out a significant number of rewires in this area and are familiar with the typical construction and access challenges.

Eastbourne and Wider East Sussex

We also provide rewiring services across Eastbourne, Polegate, Hailsham, Lewes, and the wider East Sussex area. If you are outside our core coverage, contact us and we will let you know whether we can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I be without electricity during a rewire?

You will not be without electricity for the entire duration of the project. During first fix, we work on individual circuits and rooms, maintaining a temporary supply to essential areas wherever possible. There will be periods each day when specific circuits are disconnected, but we plan this with you in advance and keep interruptions as short as possible.

Do I need to move out during a rewire?

Most families stay in the property during a rewire. It is disruptive, but by working room by room and maintaining temporary power, it is manageable. If you have very young children, health conditions that make dust problematic, or the rewire is part of a larger renovation, you may prefer to move out for the first-fix phase. We can advise based on your specific situation.

Can you rewire without damaging my walls?

Some damage to walls and floors is unavoidable during a rewire because cables need to be routed through the building structure. However, we minimise damage by using existing routes where possible, running cables through loft spaces and floor voids, and chasing only where necessary. All chased channels are neatly cut and ready for your plasterer to make good.

Will the rewire include a new consumer unit?

Yes. Every full rewire includes a new consumer unit with modern RCD or RCBO protection, surge protection, and sufficient capacity for your current and planned future needs. The consumer unit is a critical part of the installation and upgrading it is included as standard.

How much does it cost to rewire a 3-bed semi in Seaford?

A typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Seaford or Newhaven costs between £3,500 and £6,000 for a full rewire. This includes all labour, materials, the consumer unit, testing, and certification. Plastering and decoration are additional. We provide a detailed written quotation after the free survey, so you know the exact cost before any work begins.

Is rewiring covered by home insurance?

Standard home insurance does not typically cover the cost of rewiring as it is considered maintenance rather than damage. However, if faulty wiring causes damage (such as a fire), your insurance should cover the damage repairs. Having a valid Electrical Installation Certificate and keeping your installation in good condition strengthens any future insurance claim.

Get a Free Rewiring Assessment

If your home in Seaford, Newhaven, or the surrounding area is showing any of the warning signs described in this guide, the first step is a professional assessment. We will inspect your existing installation, explain what we find, and advise on whether a full or partial rewire is the best course of action for your property.

D J Fox Electrical is NICEIC Approved, Part P Registered, and has 15+ years of experience rewiring homes across East Sussex. Every rewire includes comprehensive testing, full certification, and Building Control notification. We provide detailed, fixed-price quotations with no hidden costs, and we take pride in minimising disruption to your home and family.

Ready to discuss your rewiring project? Get in touch today to book your free assessment. Call us on [PLACEHOLDER] or email info@djfoxelectrical.com. We will visit your property, inspect the existing wiring, and provide a clear, no-obligation quotation.