Home Electrical Rewiring
Your questions answered
Today, we bring you another follow-up to our article on electrical safety myths – this time delving into the world of electrical rewiring.
How long does it take?
How much will it cost you?
Does your home even need a rewire?
We’ve collected the answers to all these questions and more below…
Why do some homes and properties need rewiring?
Older wiring systems – particularly those which are more than 30 years old – just aren’t up to the power capacity and safety standards that modern homes require.
Keep in mind that modern households are far more power-hungry than those even just 20 years ago.
Today, a typical home might have:
- A 4k smart television
- An internet-enabled set-top box and video streaming devices
- High-definition, internet-enabled gaming consoles
- Broadband wifi routers
- Smart lighting and home automation systems
- Air conditioning
And let’s not forget laptops, tablets and/or smartphones – and their chargers – for every individual person in the house!
It’s no wonder that our modern electrical needs are often overloading older wiring; leading to faulty circuits and sometimes even risks of electrical fires and shocks.
That’s not to say all older wiring is obsolete and/or unsafe, of course. If you’re not experiencing any issues, you might get along just fine without rewiring your home; but if you have any doubts, it’s always best to consult your electrician.
When should you get your home rewired?
You should consider a home rewiring – or at the very least arrange a survey with a qualified electrician – if your home features any of the following:
- Recurring electrical problems, such as flickering lights and/or tripped fuses
- Older rubber, fabric or lead-insulated wiring (which can deteriorate and create potential shock/fire hazards)
- Older fuseboxes with ceramic-style fuses (which need to be replaced with a modern ‘consumer unit’ box)
- Clear signs of electrical dangers (such as bare wires, broken sockets, sparks and electric arcs)
You may also need to arrange rewiring work if you’re planning major alterations to your property, or if your home has suffered damage as a result of flooding.
Finally, you might simply find that your home doesn’t offer enough outlets for all your modern devices, or possibly that your internet and data needs are outstripping the capabilities of your home’s network cabling. Depending on the age of your existing wire, you might need a full rewire or simply a small socket installation job.
How much does electrical rewiring cost?
The cost to rewire a house can vary greatly depending on the size, age and location of the property, as well as the scope of the rewiring project.
For a full rewire, prices can range from a couple of thousand for a 1-bedroom flat, to more than 10 grand for a five-bedroom house. It’s always best to shop around registered electricians to find the best price.
Will rewiring damage my home?
Unfortunately, property rewiring often requires disruptive and invasive work.
Your electrician will likely need to lift flooring and cut into ceilings and walls – known as ‘chasing’ – in order to access your wiring. (As you can imagine, this process also creates a lot of dust.)
A good electrician will know how to minimise the impact on your home. They should also be able to connect you with a recommended tradesperson who can provide re-plastering and floor fitting to repair any damage.
Can I stay in my home during a rewiring?
In most cases, you won’t have to move out during a home rewiring; but it might be a good idea to stay somewhere else if you can afford it.
As covered earlier, rewiring a property creates a lot of unpleasant dust and mess. You’ll also need to live without electricity while the works are being carried out, and the lifting of flooring will likely make some rooms temporarily inaccessible.
If you’d still prefer to stay, discuss the plan for the rewiring project with your electrician. You should be able to use one room to accommodate yourself and your belongings while they work through the other rooms in your home.
What should I do to prepare for a home rewiring project?
- If you’re buying a new home which needs a rewire, make sure you arrange the project to start with plenty of time before your move-in date.
- Discuss the project with your electrician, and decide on any changes to your home’s electrics (such as additional power sockets, placements of lighting fixtures and switches, etc). Finalising the plan together before the project starts will likely save you from delays and additional expenses down the line.
- Pack away as much furniture and belongings as you can to protect them from dust. You might want to consider moving your items into a self-storage unit; or perhaps a friend or relative who doesn’t mind the temporary clutter!
Can I rewire my home myself?
As with most DIY electrical works, you can – but if you’re not already a qualified electrician, it’s generally not a very good idea.
Firstly, since home rewires are covered under Part P of the Building Regulations, you’ll need your work to be reviewed and signed off by your local building authority.
This means getting in touch with them before any work starts, and there’s usually a fee to pay.
Alternatively, you could try getting a registered electrician to certify your work; but many of them are reluctant to place their own seal of approval on someone else’s work.
You’ll also need to follow the BS 7671 standards for electrical wiring throughout; and any mistakes could end up costing you more in delays, repair works and potentially devastating fire/shock risks.
It’s always best to hire a qualified electrician for any home or office rewiring project – just like us here at JC Electrical UK.
Our team offers electrical and network rewiring services for all kinds of properties across the West London region. Get a quote for your project today – call us on 0208 839 9561 or email info@jcelectric.co.uk to discuss your requirements today.
More than just a London based electrician
With JC Electrical (UK) Ltd, electrical contractors in London you can expect a professional service tailored to your individual needs. Not only do we offer Testing Maintenance, & Certification and test and inspection. We also provide commercial Emergency callouts.
We can supply, install, test and repair everything from safety and security systems to smart lighting, specialist Lighting and emergency lighting , air conditioning and bespoke commercial solutions including network cabling, fire alarms and door entry & access control installers.
Our professional NICEIC-approved electricians can install modern, reliable EV charger (Electric vehicle charging) points across West London and the rest of the capital.
Our services for homeowners include
Audio Visual, Burglar Alarm / Home security installations, home Smart Lighting and Solar Panel Installation.
Additional reading
Our site also includes some really great articles and answers some faqs.
For more details, or for a free quote, call JC Electrical (UK) Ltd on 0208 839 9561 today or get in touch via our contact form.
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