So you think you're up for a house rewire.
If you have got to the point, where you are considering having your house rewired then the following maybe of help.
Most rewires to domestic properties come about for one or more of the following reasons.
* As a result of an inspection / report
* Observations made by others, whilst work has been carried out
* Problems with sockets / lights not working
* Old light fittings / sockets and wiring
* Insufficient sockets / light points
* You just know it by looking at it
To be fair, it may be that the installation looks in a bad way and does not have an up-to-date fuse board, and as such would not conform to today's wiring regulations (BS7671). However that's not to say that the whole installation will need replacing. You may find that by installing a new fuse board c/w RCBO's and the replacement of a few sockets / light fittings, it could be brought up-to- date. To establish just what the condition is of your installation, you should have a Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) carried out this would then identify any areas that need attention. It's possible that having looked at the fuse board and the cables coming away from it, we could say forget the PIR, you need a rewire.
Whilst it is not possible to tell if an installation is safe without carrying out a PIR, I feel that it is possible to tell that it is not safe and that it does need a rewire.
As soon as you see a fuse board that's from the 40's or 50's with rubber cables coming from it, you can be pretty sure that it's time for replacement. Another tell tell sign that a rewire maybe called for, is when you have had Mr DIY or Mr Man from the pub, or old Frank from work carry out the electrical work. We are able to tell that whoever did the work had only a limited knowledge; the type of cable used, the way it is installed, the type of outlets used, the circuit design (well lack of it) and the missing certificates.
As I said, "Whilst it is not possible to tell if an installation is safe without carrying out a PIR, it is possible to tell that it is not safe"
Okay, so moving on with your installation; most of it was wired in the 50's and Mr DIY has had a go, so yes it is time for the rewire, what can you expect.
I have been carrying out electrical installation work for the last 25years, but I am still amazed by clients who are about to have their house rewired, and expect the wiring to be installed without any mess or any disturbance to their home.
A rewire is the most disruptive and invasive work that a property can undergo.
What's involved?
Well, every and I mean every room will need to have the following carried out
* Furniture to be moved out
* Floor covering to be taken up (not too good if its laminate)
* Floor boards to be lifted to gain access to the floor voids
* Walls to be chased out for switches/sockets
* Also a bit of dust and mess
When it comes to rewiring the lighting to the top floor, this requires the loft to be cleared so as we can get to each of the lighting points and to each switch drop.
Then comes the re-decorating (Not by us I'm glad to say)
I have had clients that would prefer conduit or mini-trunking installed on the surface, rather than to endure the mess and upheaval mentioned above.
The best time to have this work carried out is before you move in, so if possible try to find out if your new home needs a rewire and if so can it be done before you move in. However, if you are now happily living in your (that's in need of a rewire) home, there are a couple of ways the work could be carried out.
You could consider having the work done in phases, one area at a time done, this is not so traumatic as having it done in one go, but it can take what seems like months to get it completed, also by carrying out the work in phases, it will cost more.
Do you like getting stuck in?
One option maybe to lets us carry out the technical work, and let you move the furniture, take up the floor covering, lift the floor boards, even chase out the walls, and make good the walls. We have worked with clients that are happy to attend to this part of the work, and leave the technical bits to us. This can work quite well, and the cost will be less.
Go Away
What I am about to suggest, may at first sound odd! but if you are to have a rewire, then consider having it done when you are on holiday. This way you will miss out on all the fun of moving the furniture, taking up floor covering, the dust, and the make shift living conditions; also it could be cheaper. Okay, when you come back it will look like a war zone, but a tidy war zone, and an electrically safe war zone.
It may not be as bad as I suggest, but if you start off with the worse case, it can only get better.
If you think that you may need a rewire or need any help with your electrical installation, please contact Major Electrical Ltd, and we will be happy to help you.
