Can you get a house rewired room by room or does it have to be in one go?

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Just moved into our first house so I will probably have a lot of these kinds of threads 😁
It’s a 1960s link terrace and although the electrics are working fine, we had a survey done and they are quite outdated, so at some point we will be looking to rewire.
I’m of the view we should do this sooner rather than later before we start decorating, after we’ve replaced the windows which is first on the list, but wondered if you can do it room by room, so as we decide to decorate each room, rather than in one fell swoop.
Anyone done this?

You'll probably have to change the fuse box so all in one go - the wires are connected. Plan out where you want your sockets and lighting. Outdoor lights etc. Get it right the first time.

Thanks! I’m guessing that means utter carnage everywhere!

We needed a new fuse box and partial rewire but were able to do it section by section. It costs more though. As long as the electrics were safe it should be ok. The1960s isn't ancient and for us the original 1960s electrics were far safer than the botch job add ons done in the 80s and 90s. It does cost more to have it done bit by bit. Get some electricians in for quotes and advice.

Thanks @CondeNasty I guess we will have to get some quotes and see what the electrician says. You’re right 1960s isn’t too ancient so hopefully will be ok

I'd just get it done in one go if you can. There are companies that specialise in rewires that will come in and do it in a few days. (My terrace took 3 including plastering). They did it while I was at work and left some sockets working for me to use in evenings.

Realistically, it's best to do it section by section, and that depends on your house. A pretty standard set up is 5 sections:-

Upstairs lighting
Upstairs sockets
Downstairs lighting
Downstairs sockets
Kitchen

You can't really do room by room because at some stage you also have to do the wires from the main distribution board to each section. So at the very least you should do, say, the entire upstairs lighting in one go rather than just one bedroom.

But, to do the downstairs lighting, some floorboards need to be removed upstairs, so that would disturb upstairs again!

You'll end up paying a lot more if you do it room by room or section by section - far better to push through the "pain" barrier and have the lot done in one go before you start doing other work to the house.

I'd suggest you do the same with your central heating and boiler if you have any plans to replace piping/radiators etc - just get it done now before you even think of decorating and filling the house with furniture, carpetting, etc. It's another job that involves lots of ripping up floorboards, chanelling walls, etc

I'd get it all done now. Awful experience, no way would I want to drag it out.

My OH is an electrician and required our 1960's terrace last month, with a friend, over a three day weekend.
It is incredibly disruptive. Everything was boxed up or covered with dust sheets. Carpets and floor boards came up. Every plug socket and light switch requires a 'chase' which is a three inch channel cut into the wall either down from the ceiling (downstairs and upstairs lights) it up from the floor (upstairs sockets). Under no circumstances do any decorating before having the rewire. You will need to replaster the chases, and then paint or wallpaper after.
My OH left the kitchen circuit to do at a later date when we have a new one so it doesn't have to be done in a oner.

Here are some pictures. One the night before the rewire with everything moved (beds taken down etc) and a picture of one of the chases