Norwich · Norfolk
Rewiring Norwich Period Homes: Signs and Costs
Much of inner Norwich — the Golden Triangle, Heigham, Lakenham, parts of Thorpe — dates from before 1950. Wiring doesn't last that long.
The signals
- Vintage clues: round-pin sockets, fabric- or rubber-covered cables (black rubber perishes by 30–40 years), wooden-backed consumer units, cast-iron conduits.
- The EICR verdict: an unsatisfactory report recommending rewiring (C1/C2 codes across multiple circuits).
- Behavioural clues: lights dimming, fuses blowing, sockets warm to touch, extension leads everywhere because sockets are too few.
What a rewire involves
First fix (cables, back boxes, chasing walls — the dusty stage), then plastering, then second fix (sockets, switches, light fittings) and the consumer unit. Occupied rewires are disruptive: rooms come out of use in sequence. Unoccupied properties (between tenancies, renovations) are far cheaper per day.
Indicative costs (2026, not quotes)
| Property | Typical range |
|---|---|
| 1-bed terrace | £3,000–£4,500 |
| 2–3-bed terrace/semi | £4,500–£7,000 |
| 4-bed detached | £7,000–£11,000 |
Plus plastering and decoration, which can add 30–50%. Norfolk period features — lath and plaster, lime renders — need sympathetic chasing and add cost.
Do it between tenancies
For landlords, rewiring is the textbook between-tenancy project: void time is cheaper than occupied disruption, and the fresh EICR that follows resets the 5-year clock cleanly.