House Rewiring Geelong
Rewiring for older homes, and new wiring for builds, extensions and renovations across Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast, by CabledIN
House rewiring in Geelong by CabledIN replaces old, perished or overloaded cable with new wiring, new power points and switches, and a switchboard with a safety switch on every circuit. Our licensed electricians (REC 30925) also wire new homes, extensions and renovations from first rough-in to final fit-off.
A full rewire is staged over several days, and we set out the stages in a written quote after inspecting the home.
- When to check
- Energy Safe Victoria: have wiring checked if the house is over 30 years old
- Options
- Full rewire, partial rewire, or staged room by room
- Paperwork
- Certificate of Electrical Safety for the work
- Who does it
- Licensed electricians, REC 30925
Signs your house may need rewiring
Energy Safe Victoria says many house electrical fires are caused by old wiring that has degraded or cannot cope with modern demand. Its advice is to have the wiring checked by a licensed electrician if your house is more than 30 years old. These are the signs that bring us out most often:
- Fuses that blow or breakers that trip again and again, with no single appliance to blame.
- Lights that flicker or dim when a heater, kettle or air conditioner starts.
- Power points or switches that are warm, discoloured, cracked or crackle when used.
- A burning or fishy smell near a power point, switch or the switchboard.
- An old switchboard with no safety switch.
- Old cable in the roof. Rubber or cloth covered cable goes brittle with age and the insulation cracks away from the copper.
- Too few power points, so the house runs on power boards and extension leads.
- Additions wired by a previous owner with no paperwork to show for it.
If you can see sparks or smell burning, turn off the power at the switchboard if it is safe to reach and call our 24/7 emergency electricians.
Full rewire or partial rewire
Not every old house needs every cable replaced. We test before we recommend anything.
| Option | When it suits |
|---|---|
| Full rewire | The original cable has perished throughout, or the house is being gutted for renovation |
| Partial rewire | One part of the house is original and the rest has been redone, or only certain circuits fail their tests |
| Staged rewire | The work is needed but is spread over time, starting with the circuits in the worst condition |
| Switchboard and safety switches only | The cable tests sound and the weak point is the old board |
An electrical safety inspection is the sensible first step if you are not sure which of these you are facing. Sometimes the answer is a switchboard upgrade and nothing more.
Talk to a licensed Geelong electrician (REC 30925).
How house rewiring works, step by step
- Inspect and test. We look at the switchboard, roof space and underfloor, and test the existing circuits.
- Plan with you. We mark up where you want power points, switches, lights, data points and appliances. A rewire is the cheapest moment to add them.
- Written quote. The quote sets out the circuits, the number of points, the switchboard work and the order of the stages.
- Run new cable. New cable goes in through the roof space, wall cavities and underfloor. We use existing routes where we can to keep cutting into plaster to a minimum.
- Switchboard. The new circuits are connected to a switchboard with a combined circuit breaker and safety switch (RCD) on each circuit.
- Fit off. New power points, switches and light fittings go on. Old cable is disconnected and removed where it can be reached.
- Test and certify. Before a certificate is issued, every circuit is tested for earth continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, correct connections, earth fault-loop impedance and safety switch operation. You receive a Certificate of Electrical Safety.
Replacing a main switchboard or the consumer mains is classed as prescribed work in Victoria. It must be inspected by an independent licensed electrical inspector before the power goes back on, and we arrange that inspection.
Do I need to move out during a rewire?
Often not. In most lived-in homes we work a section at a time and restore power to the rest of the house at the end of each day, so the fridge, hot water and lights you need keep running. The power is off while we work on the switchboard.
Moving out for a few days is worth thinking about if the whole house is being done at once, if someone in the home relies on powered medical equipment, or if you have very young children. If the house is empty, as it is between a purchase and moving in, the work goes faster and costs less to carry out.
Electricians do not patch and paint. Where a wall or ceiling has to be opened we tell you beforehand, so you can line up a plasterer or painter.
Wiring for new homes, extensions and renovations
New wiring is the other half of this work. We do it regularly in Geelong West, Bannockburn, Newtown, Highton, Lara and Hamlyn Heights, for owner-builders, builders and renovators.
- Rough-in. Cable is run through the frame before the plaster goes on, to the plan agreed with you or your builder.
- Fit-off. After plaster and paint, the power points, switches, lights, fans and appliances are fitted and connected.
- Extensions. We check whether the existing switchboard has room and capacity for the new circuits before the build starts, not after.
- Kitchens and bathrooms. New circuits for the oven and cooktop, exhaust fans, heated towel rails and extra power points.
- Data and TV. Network cable, TV points and smart home wiring are easiest while the walls are open.
Powercor's guidance is that safety switches are mandatory in Victoria in new premises and where major renovations occur. Homes built or substantially renovated after 1 May 2014 that need more than one smoke alarm must also have them interconnected, so we wire smoke alarms at rough-in.
Not sure what you need? Tell us what is happening and we will talk it through.
Powercor, inspections and paperwork
Some rewires need the supply to the house isolated while the switchboard or mains are replaced. That is requested from Powercor, the electricity distributor for the Geelong region, by a Registered Electrical Contractor. It is temporary and done by appointment, and we lodge it for you.
Every piece of electrical installation work in Victoria needs a Certificate of Electrical Safety, whatever the size of the job. Keep yours with the house papers. The electrician is only required to keep a copy for three years, and a buyer or a future electrician may ask for it long after that.
If Powercor has sent you a defect notice, read what a Powercor defect notice means before you book.
Why choose CabledIN for house rewiring
- Licensed Victorian Registered Electrical Contractor, REC 30925
- More than 20 years' experience, based in North Geelong
- Lifetime workmanship warranty
- 2,000+ five-star Google reviews
- We test first and recommend the smallest job that makes the house safe
- 24/7 emergency call-outs
Recent house rewiring and new wiring jobs around Geelong
Rewires, renovations and new builds from our own jobs.
Frequently asked questions
How long does house rewiring in Geelong take?
A full rewire is spread over several days, and the number depends on the size of the house, access and whether it is empty. Your quote sets out the stages and the expected time on site.
Can I live in the house while it is being rewired?
Usually, yes. We work a section at a time and restore power to the rest of the house at the end of each day. An empty house is quicker to rewire.
How do I know if my house needs rewiring?
Warning signs include fuses or breakers that keep tripping, flickering lights, warm or scorched power points, a burning smell and an old switchboard with no safety switch. Testing by a licensed electrician is the only way to be sure.
How old does a house have to be before it needs rewiring?
There is no set age. Energy Safe Victoria advises having the wiring checked if a house is more than 30 years old, and checking homes built before the 1980s before you move in.
Can you rewire just part of a house?
Yes. If testing shows that only some circuits have failed, or one part of the house is still original, we replace those and leave sound wiring alone.
Will you need to cut into my walls and ceilings?
We use the roof space, underfloor and existing cable routes to keep cutting to a minimum. Where plaster has to be opened we tell you first. Patching and painting are not part of the electrical work.
Does a rewire include a new switchboard?
Usually. New circuits are connected to a board with a circuit breaker and safety switch on each circuit. If your board is already modern and has room, it can stay.
Can I add power points and lights during a rewire?
Yes, and it is the cheapest time to do it. We mark up the extra points with you before the quote is written.
Do I get a certificate after a rewire?
Yes. All electrical installation work in Victoria needs a Certificate of Electrical Safety. If the main switchboard or mains were replaced, that part is also inspected by an independent licensed electrical inspector.
Can I do any of the rewiring myself to save money?
No. Do-it-yourself electrical work is illegal in Victoria and can be deadly. All of it has to be done by a licensed electrician.
Do you wire new homes and extensions as well?
Yes. We do the rough-in and fit-off for new homes, extensions and renovations across Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula, the Surf Coast and Golden Plains.
Still have a question? Ask the CabledIN team.