Rewiring with Kimmy the Sparks

Rewiring a property or even part of a property is an opportunity to improve electrical safety and add modern conveniences, such as extra sockets for appliances. But when does it become a necessity? How long does it take? What tools and materials are needed? We sat down with professional electrician and Prysmian brand ambassador Kimmy the Sparks to discuss everything to do with rewiring a property, keeping up with the standards, and her dream project.

What are some of the most common reasons you see for needing to rewire a property?

I would carry out an EICR to determine the age of the installation and if there are any faults. If the installation is old, and there are faults, I would then ask the client if they were looking to refurbish their property anytime soon. If they are, I would recommend that they rewire at the same time, otherwise, I would recommend a partial rewire or repair.

I would also consider the need for additional circuits due to the increasing number of modern appliances, or even for EV (Electric vehicle) charging points.

What are some of the issues you face when rewiring?

Planning ahead is the biggest challenge, if not done correctly this will be the biggest issue. I do a consultation first on site to figure out what they need and what is required for the project.

You must plan cable runs, circuits, the number of accessories and lights, when to order materials so they arrive on time, determine the wall type so that you can use the correct methods etc. Planning with the client and advising them about making changes can be difficult once work has started. Perfect planning and preparation are key for the client and tradesperson.

What tools/cables do you need?

The first fix stage of the project involves us making routes and installing containment for the wiring in the ceilings and walls and securing boxes to the walls, all before the builders and plaster boarders come in. So, great cable and an A-Frame to hold the cable reels are important. This will help you pull cables through with ease, and quality croppers are needed to cut the cable. Normally twin and earth cable is used; 2.5mm2 for sockets, with the increased use of 4mm2 radials, 1.5mm2 for lights and three-core cable for smoke alarm circuits to provide “hard wired” power and interlink. Power tools are needed for chasing out walls and securing back boxes. 

Once this has been completed, we will return and start the second fix phase, where we will install the lights, switch sockets/accessories. This requires torque and normal screwdrivers, a mini level to ensure your accessories are straight, and stripping/cropping tools to terminate cables.

These are the basics, but there are many other tools that make up an electrician’s tool bag that can assist you and make the job easier and smoother.

What are you looking for when choosing the cables you use on a project?

When choosing cable, I look for quality, easy stripability – it’s smooth to work with – and that it can pull through underfloor spaces without dragging.

How long does a rewire take from start to finish on average? – Obviously the size of the property is a big factor, are there any others?

A smaller rewire can be completed in as little as a month if all the trades and the client cooperated. However, more realistically, there is a huge gap between the first fix and the second fix depending on the intricacy of the works. Normally with an organised team, you can spend a week preparing materials, chasing walls, running cables and another week once making good has been done to second fix, installing the consumer unit, and testing the new installation.

What are some of the key differences between flexi tails and traditional meter tails?

Flexi tails are my favourite to use, once you use these, it’s hard to go back to traditional meter tails. Flexi tails have many more strands, which makes them flexible to work with, easy to bend around corners and within the board itself. The flexi meter tails are also fully colour-coded, which makes it easy to identify between the line and neutral meter tails.

When new wiring regulations come out, how do you make sure you are incorporating them into your working practices?

Once new wiring regulations come out, manufacturers take the lead and produce compliant products. I use established and well-known brands to ensure I am using British Standard (BS) accessories suitable for installation in England. 

What do you think of the current standards? 

The current standards are always improving which is great! I do wish we had a system in place that made it harder to hire “cowboys” and unqualified builders for jobs, as too much time and resources are spent on rectifying dodgy work.

How much training is involved in keeping up to code?

To keep up with the latest regulations, we must do a course to achieve the latest BS Regulations Certification. This normally takes a full day with many hours of revision studying the latest regulations. Then we always look out for relevant CPDs that we can do to further our knowledge and that we are aware of any amendments that come out from the latest regulations.

What cable do you keep in your van at all times?

I always keep the standard 2.5mm2 and 1.5mm2 roll of twin and earth and flexi tails. I also have a small box of “off-cuts” of other random cables that are useful while doing small maintenance jobs or call outs such as 2.5mm2 flex for heaters, 6mm2 cable for cookers, and off-cuts for extending cable.

What are some issues you have faced with poor cable?

Poor stripability is my biggest issue. I once had to second fix downlights installed by a builder who had abandoned the job. The cable he used was of poor quality, so when stripping, the inner cores would peel off the copper, exposing live parts. The lights had to be part rewired on a new installation as the cable was disintegrating too much while stripping it to terminate into the lights.

How often do you work with other tradies and what is it like?

On rewiring projects, working with other trades is a must, and this can be quite a difficult task as sometimes there is no respect for other trades. Many electricians have issues with plasterers covering our back boxes with muck. We have to rely on photographs and memory to locate where they were and smash through the plaster. But sometimes we get lucky and work with other respectful tradesmen that help each other, and we even end up getting each other lunch!

What are your favourite projects to work on?

My favourite projects are the smaller ones that come about as a result of an “UNSATISFACTORY EICR”. The projects end up being an upgrade of the electrics to bring it to a satisfactory standard, which is different each time. It could be rewiring circuits, upgrading consumer units or replacing damaged accessories. Each time is different but rewarding as you know that another property is now safe thanks to you and your work.

What is your dream project?

My dream project would be to rewire a castle in the hills of Italy or a beautiful landscape in the UK! Working with beautiful views, old architecture and quality accessories.

What's something that could really make your job easier?

An apprentice would make my job so much easier! A good apprentice can make a huge difference, helping to carry things so you don’t have to make two trips to the van, helping to remember any materials you need that you might have forgotten about. As well as helping to speed up the job, they can also be great company for someone who works by themselves all the time. They’re also a great reminder that we all started from the bottom, and with the patience of great electrician teachers we are here at the top, able to pass our knowledge down.

Do you have a project that always sticks in your mind? 

The first rewire a client booked with me directly once I qualified. It was new and exciting and so much was learnt, so many relationships were built! I had amazing sparkies who helped me as team members that I still work with today. It was great learning how to budget a rewire, how to organise admin and other trades.

If you want to see more of Kimmy’s projects, you can follow her on Instagram or TikTok (@kimmythesparks) or check out her YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@kimmythesparks.