House Rewiring Wellington

Rewiring replaces the cables that run from the switchboard to every socket, switch and light. In Wellington it comes up most in the colonial villas and workers' cottages of Mt Victoria, Newtown, Thorndon and the Aro Valley, and in the early state houses of Miramar, Naenae and Porirua, where original rubber insulated cable may still be hidden behind the linings or under the floor.

It is a bigger job than replacing a switchboard, but it does not mean gutting the house. This page explains how to tell whether you need it, full versus partial rewires, how we route cable in old timber houses on hill sections, and what affects the price. The board itself is covered on our switchboard upgrades page.

Pricing: a free quote and a fixed price agreed before we start. You get a written, itemised quote, and small jobs can be quoted from photos.

If the fuse box or switchboard is the problem rather than the cables, see switchboard upgrades.

House Rewiring by Cheeky's Electrical in Wellington

Why old wiring gets replaced

Early New Zealand homes were wired with Vulcanised Indian Rubber (VIR) cable and later Tough Rubber Sheathed (TRS) cable. As it ages the rubber hardens and crumbles, which can leave live conductors exposed and raises the risk of fire. It should be replaced rather than extended, and some insurers may decline cover where the wiring is old or unfit.

WorkSafe points out that older installations were never designed for the number of appliances we run today. Its warning signs include hot or scorched plugs and sockets, fuses that blow or breakers that trip for no reason, and flickering lights.

Black rubber cable visible in the ceiling space or subfloor
Original round switches and sockets
Fuses that keep blowing
Sockets or light switches that feel warm
An insurer or buyer asking questions about the wiring

Full or partial rewire?

Many older Wellington homes have been renovated in stages, so a modern kitchen or bathroom wired in TPS cable can sit beside rooms that are still on original circuits. Testing tells us which circuits are sound and which are not, so we can quote a partial rewire, such as the lighting circuits only, where that is safe and sensible.

A full rewire is usually better value when most circuits are rubber cable, when the board is due for replacement too, or when walls and ceilings are already open for renovation. Where both options are reasonable we give you both in writing.

How It Works

Assessment and testing of the existing circuits

Written fixed price with full and partial options where both suit

Walkthrough to agree new point and light positions

Rewire carried out circuit by circuit

Testing, inspection where required, and connection

Certificate of Compliance and Electrical Safety Certificate handed over

Working in Wellington's older timber houses

Most older Wellington houses stand on timber piles with a subfloor you can get under, which makes rewiring far less disruptive. We feed new cable up from below or drop it down wall cavities from the ceiling space, lifting a scotia or skirting rather than cutting into lath and plaster. Where small access holes are needed, we put them where they are easy to patch.

Hill sections bring their own logistics. Homes in Kelburn, Brooklyn, Hataitai and Mt Victoria often have steep paths, steps or no vehicle access at all, so we plan how gear gets to the house before day one. We work circuit by circuit, and before starting we walk the house with you to agree positions for any extra power points, which cost far less to add during a rewire than afterwards.

Rewiring during a renovation

The cheapest moment to rewire is while the linings are off. If you are renovating, bring us in at the planning stage so cable routes, switch positions, kitchen circuits and lighting are agreed before the builder closes up. We fit around your builder's programme for pre-wire and fit-off rather than holding the job up.

New work must meet the electrical standard cited in law. WorkSafe says that where construction starts after 12 November 2026, new and altered work must comply with AS/NZS 3000:2018, while untouched parts of an existing installation do not have to be upgraded. If your renovation also involves structural or exterior work on a character house, check with your council about consents early; the wiring itself is internal work.

Testing, certificates and inspection

Every new circuit is tested for insulation resistance, polarity, earthing and RCD operation before it goes live. You receive a Certificate of Compliance for the work and an Electrical Safety Certificate once it is connected. If the job includes the main switchboard or main earth, a licensed electrical inspector checks that part as well.

WorkSafe advises keeping your CoC somewhere safe because it may be needed for insurance claims or a sale. After a rewire it is the clearest evidence a buyer or insurer can see that the wiring is new.

What affects the cost of a rewire

The price depends on the size of the house, the number of circuits and points, access in the subfloor and ceiling space, the wall linings, how easy the site is to reach, and whether the switchboard is replaced at the same time. We do not publish a typical figure, because two houses of the same size can differ a lot once access is taken into account.

We test first, then give you a written, itemised fixed price covering the circuits, points, board work and certificates. Book an assessment to get started.

Why Choose Cheeky's Electrical for House Rewiring

Tested before quoted

We find out which circuits are actually failing, so you only pay to replace what needs replacing.

Subfloor and ceiling first

Cable routes go through the crawl space and ceiling before any wall is touched, keeping plaster damage to a minimum.

Live in the house

We work circuit by circuit so most families stay at home during the rewire.

Hill sites planned for

Steep access and no-parking streets are allowed for in the quote, not added on the day.

House Rewiring FAQs

How do I know if my house has rubber wiring?

Look in the ceiling space or subfloor for black, rubber covered cable, which is common in older villas, cottages and early state houses. We can confirm it with a short inspection and insulation test.

Can we stay in the house during a rewire?

Usually. We work circuit by circuit and restore power at the end of each day where possible.

Will you have to cut into my walls?

A few small access holes are usually needed, but most cable goes through the subfloor and ceiling, and holes are placed where they are easy to patch.

Is there a law that says I must rewire?

No. Existing installations can continue as long as they are not unsafe. Rubber wiring that is breaking down is unsafe, which is why we recommend replacing it.

Our house is on a steep section with no parking. Is that a problem?

No, it is common in Wellington. We plan access and carrying in advance and include it in the fixed price.

Should the switchboard be replaced at the same time?

Often it makes sense, especially if the board still has fuses or no RCDs. We price it as an option.

House Rewiring Across Wellington

We cover every region: Central Wellington, Eastern and Southern Suburbs, Western and Northern Suburbs, the Hutt Valley, Porirua, the Kāpiti Coast.

Related Electrical Services

House Rewiring Guides

See the electrician prices guide or every service we offer.

Sources and further reading

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