Full vs partial rewire — which do you need?
A full rewire replaces all the wiring in the property; a partial rewire replaces only the circuits that have reached the end of their life while keeping the sound ones. Which is right comes down to the age and condition of the existing wiring — and an EICR is the best way to find out. A partial rewire is quicker and cheaper, but only if the rest is genuinely in good order.
When a full rewire makes sense
If the wiring is uniformly old — original rubber or fabric-insulated cabling throughout, an ageing fuse box, and no recent work — a full rewire is usually the honest answer. Patching one circuit at a time on an installation that's all at end-of-life tends to cost more in the long run and leaves known risks in place.
When a partial rewire is right
If only certain circuits are tired — say an old kitchen, an extension done years ago, or one upstairs ring — while the rest is modern and sound, a partial rewire targets just those. It's less disruptive and less costly, and it's the right call when the EICR shows the bulk of the installation is fine.
How to decide
An EICR is the deciding tool: it inspects and tests every accessible circuit and tells you, with coded findings, what's sound and what isn't. From there we can recommend full or partial honestly — we'd rather do the right-sized job than over-spec it.
Is a partial rewire a false economy?
Not if the rest of the installation is genuinely sound — then it's exactly right. It only becomes a false economy if you patch one circuit while the rest is also at end of life. An EICR settles which situation you're in.
Can a partial rewire be extended to a full one later?
Yes — circuits done now to current standards stay good, and the remaining ones can be done later. Phasing can be a sensible way to manage a larger job.
How do I know which circuits need doing?
The EICR identifies them. We then talk you through which circuits are flagged and what doing them (versus the whole house) involves.