Published 2026-10-22 by Neighbourhood Electrician
Terraces are part of what makes Paddington, Woollahra and parts of Randwick so appealing. But behind the plaster of many of these homes is wiring that has been added to, patched and extended over a century. If you own a terrace, at some point you will probably need to think about rewiring. This is what to expect.
Why terraces need rewiring
Many Victorian and Federation terraces were first wired decades after they were built, and then added to over time. Rubber-insulated cable from the early to mid 1900s becomes brittle and is a fire risk.
When rubber insulation breaks down, it can crumble away from the copper inside, leaving bare conductors in the walls and ceiling. It is often disturbed during renovations, which makes it worse. You may also find old cable running in metal conduit or along timber battens, and later PVC cable joined onto it in hidden junctions.
Signs your terrace needs attention
- Old ceramic fuses or no safety switches on the board
- Black or crumbling cable insulation visible at light fittings or in the roof space
- Power points with only two pins or no earth
- Lights that flicker or dim for no obvious reason
- Circuits that trip after rain
Start with testing
Before anyone talks about a full rewire, the circuits should be tested. Insulation resistance and earth testing show which circuits are sound and which are not. Sometimes only a few circuits need replacing. Sometimes testing confirms the whole house needs it.
Planning cable routes
Solid brick walls and decorative ceilings mean we can't just cut into plaster. We use the roof space, subfloor and existing cavities, and agree any unavoidable wall chases with you first.
Ornate cornices, ceiling roses and original skirting are part of the value of a terrace. We plan routes around them, and where a fitting has to come off, we remove it carefully. If your terrace is heritage listed, check with council before any work that affects the original fabric.
Doing it in stages
A full rewire can be done in one go, or in stages: switchboard first, then the circuits most at risk, then the rest during a renovation.
Staging spreads the cost and fits around your plans. The switchboard is usually the best place to start, because new safety switches protect every circuit straight away, even the old ones still waiting to be replaced.
Plan for how you live now
- More power points, especially in kitchens, bedrooms and the home office
- Dedicated circuits for air conditioning, induction cooking or an EV charger
- Data cabling to bedrooms and living areas
- Interconnected smoke alarms on every level
- Lighting that suits each room, including outdoor and courtyard lighting
Disruption
We plan terrace rewires so you have power overnight wherever possible. We'll explain the schedule and what each day involves before we start.
There will be some dust and access to the roof space and subfloor, and we protect floors and furniture as we work. The work finishes with testing of every circuit and a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work.
Next step
If you are planning a renovation, talk to us before the builder starts, so the rewiring is done while the walls are open. More on house rewiring, or call 0421 772 661.
Questions to ask before you start
- Which circuits failed testing, and which are sound?
- Will the switchboard be replaced first?
- Where will cables run, and will any walls need chasing?
- Which original fittings need to come off, and how will they be protected?
- What will the power arrangements be each day?