Rewires, Renovations& Extensions
Old TPS cable, hidden junctions, half-rewired kitchens, extensions added decades ago — this is the messy job that needs a sparkie who'll plan the whole house, not just patch a circuit. Full rewires, renovation electrical, granny flat additions, extensions.
When a rewire makes sense
1960s-70s Midland brick veneer with original cable still in the walls. TPS sheath gets brittle, insulation cracks, circuits start tracking to earth.
Extension or granny flat being added — usually time to upgrade the main board at the same time.
Renovation that opens up the walls anyway — easiest time you'll ever have to upgrade the wiring properly.
Multiple "patches" over the years — three-prong adaptors instead of new GPOs, doubled-up neutrals, lighting circuits running off ring mains.
Insurance or sale conditional on rewire — often happens with old hills cottages.
What a proper rewire involves
Site assessment first — what's actually behind the walls, what's accessible, what's not.
New main switchboard — sized for the modern household, two RCDs minimum, every circuit labelled.
New sub-circuits for high-load appliances (induction cooktop, oven, AC, EV charger, hot water).
Replacement of all original lighting and GPO cabling within scope (full or partial rewire — your call, depends on budget and access).
Modern hardwired smoke alarms.
Re-bonding of earthing and MEN connection.
Testing on every circuit — insulation, loop impedance, RCD trip-time.
Certificate of Compliance.
Common jobs east of the river
1960s Midvale full rewire during reno
Kitchen, bathroom, three bedrooms. Two-week job, one electrician on site daily.
Helena Valley acreage
Main house plus detached granny flat. Sub-board for the granny flat, full rewire of the original house, three-phase meter upgrade.
Glen Forrest hills cottage
Pre-purchase electrical inspection found four different generations of wiring. Full rewire as part of the buyer's renovation.
Caversham 1980s home
Kitchen-bathroom partial rewire only. Worked around a tight reno budget.
What to SMS
Photos of the existing switchboard, a couple of rooms (especially the kitchen and bathroom), and a rough idea of what's planned. Site walk + fixed quote from there.
FAQs
How much does a full rewire cost?
Too much depends on the property — single-storey vs two-storey, plaster vs brick walls, accessible roof space, board upgrade required. Site walk + fixed quote, every time. Anyone who quotes a rewire over the phone is guessing.
Can you rewire just the kitchen, not the whole house?
Yes, and often that's the right call during a kitchen reno. Done properly it includes the new circuits the kitchen needs, plus tying back into the existing switchboard cleanly.
Do I have to be out of the house?
For a full rewire, usually for at least the days the main switchboard is changed over. Partial rewires can be done in stages with power restored each evening.