Do I have to move out during a rewire?
By Ian Walsh, Renew Electrical, 10 November 2026
Yes. During a house rewire the power is off, floorboards come up and walls are chased, so Ian always asks customers to be out of the house while the work is done. It is simplest when the house is empty anyway, for example straight after you buy it.
Ian always asks customers to be out of the house while it is rewired. Here is why, and how people plan around it.
Why
- There is no power for much of the job.
- Floorboards are up and cable is being run through the house.
- Walls are chased, which creates dust.
Working around a family in the house would slow the job down and make it harder on everyone.
How people plan around it
The easiest case is a house you have just bought, because it is empty already. If you live in the house, a few days with family or friends, or a short stay somewhere else, is the usual way. Most rewires take 3 to 10 working days, depending on the house.
Tell us at the start
When you send the form, say whether the house is empty or lived in. It helps us plan the survey and the quote.
When the work is done
The chases are plastered, the house is left as it was before (painting aside) and everything is tested. You get a Safe Electric completion certificate.
Quick answers
For how long do I need to be out?
A typical rewire takes 3 to 10 working days, depending on the house. Ian tells you what to expect for yours at the survey.