When Should You Rewire a Property?

No one can live comfortably with the risks of defective wiring, and as such rewiring becomes important. Rewiring a home indeed takes time and money, but you need to know when to rewire.

Old wiring may not spell danger as electrical cords wear and tear depending on age and type of materials. The recommendation is that a registered electrician perform a routine inspection at least every 10 years for private-owned homes, and 5 years for properties under rent or at the change of tenancy. If your home needs rewiring, they’ll tell you and provide a specific quote.

Should a property be above 30 years old and still retains the original wiring, it probably needs an upgrade, even if it’s partial rewiring to meet modern standards, plus installing a modern consumer unit in place of the fuse box. If you’ve got got a rubber, fabric, or lead-insulated wiring, it’s a sign you should rewire as modern cabling is PVCu coated, twin-earthed, and coloured grey or white.

Defective and old wiring poses risks like frequent tripping, fuse blow-out, or worse still an electric shock or fire. Ensure the wiring of an old property is safe before purchasing it. An electrician can give you job details and quote for an electrical upgrade. DIY electrical works may also cause problems in modern homes.

Benefits of rewiring a house range from added protection to modern comfort in terms of electrical extensions. Besides, rewiring an old property can attract potential buyers.

A partial or complete rewiring may be needed for a major renovation job. All electrical installations must meet the UK’s standards of electrical installation under the Building Regulations BS7671, also called IET Wiring Regulations. This also applies to home extension projects where existing wiring has to be updated to carry the extra load safely.

Signs that show you should rewire

• Regularly tripping circuit breakers
• Slight shocks from outlets and switches
• Worn-out or exposed wires
• Frequently flickering or dimming lights

Should you live in an old property that hasn’t been inspected for years, it may require rewiring. Contact an electrician when you notice any of these signs to get an estimate of the required job.

What’s the cost of rewiring a home?

The price differs depending on the house size. You can pay several thousand pounds for a small house and more for bigger buildings. But the cost can be reduced if the existing wiring is in good working condition such that extra electrical loads can be added.  A modern consumer unit can be fitted to upgrade old installations. For about £350, new consumer units can be installed, tested, and certified. Where an old fuse box is replaced with a modern consumer unit, it’s always necessary to upgrade the earth bonding of the installation.

Depending on job duration, electricians sometimes charge a fixed price. You can negotiate rates for every extra power point, light fitting or switch.

Other considerations

During a rewiring, rooms may have to be vacated as there may be major disruptions. There may be need to remove floorboards or coverings and have channels routed out in walls for cable installation. Should rewiring be necessary, do it during plumbing or central heating installation; before any plastering or decor work.

If you’re rewiring for lighting and power, see that enough sockets and switches are provided for you and the potential home buyer.

Wiring in wet areas

Kitchens, bathrooms, swimming pools, and other wet areas pose a higher risk of electric shock. Electrics in wet areas have special guidelines. For instance, shaver sockets mustn’t be within shower splash area, and only pulling-cords are permitted in bathrooms.

Ventilation fans and electrical appliances in damp areas must be moisture and mechanically protected. It’s known as Ingress Protection (IP).

Can you rewire by yourself?

Rewiring needs a professional touch. Doing it yourself can be dangerous. It can cause a fire outbreak which your insurance may not cover. Major works or high-risk jobs involving wet areas should be done only if you’re certified by local building authority in compliance with Part P Building Regulations. Your local authority inspectors may be paid to inspect the work.

Where to get a local electrician

For rewiring house London, get and compare job quotes from different electricians. Ensure the electrician you hire is NICEIC certified or registered with other relevant bodies like NAPIT or ELECSA. Plus they should have insurance coverage. Generally, it’s recommended that you get three electrical work estimates from which you can decide the start of a major electrical job. You can even request an itemised proposal which provides details of the cost of materials and labour.

If you need professional and reliable electricians in London to help out in rewiring your home, do call us today on  020 71834006.