
It is time-consuming and takes time to rewire a home. It is, however, essential to rewire a home due to the deteriorated or damaged wiring.
Do you know when to rewire your home? If your wiring is old, you may need to rewire your home. Old wiring can become unsafe due to wear and tear. Wear and tear depend on previous usage and the type of material.
It is best to hire a registered electrician to regularly inspect your wiring. If you own your home, you can inspect your wiring every 10 years. If you own a rental property, you need to inspect your wiring every 5 years.
The registered electrician can tell you if you need to rewire your home and the cost of rewiring your building.
If you have not updated your old wiring in your old building, you may need to update your wiring to meet the current standards. You can replace your fuse box with a modern consumer unit. It is crucial to replace dated lead-insulated, fabric, or rubber cabling. The modern wiring is coated with PVC to prevent shock.
The electrical system of your home can trip frequently due to old and faulty wiring. In addition, the old and faulty wiring can cause electrical shock and even electrical fires in your home.
If you want to purchase an old property, inspect the wiring before you purchase the property. Hire an electrician to inspect the wiring. The electrician tells you the cost of rewiring the property. You can ask the seller to rewire the property before you purchase it. Inspect modern homes since they might have electrical problems, such as shoddy DIY electrical work.
You can rewire your home to improve safety and add extra switch plugs for your televisions, home computers, and kitchen appliances. If you want to sell your old property, then rewiring your property can make your property attractive to prospective buyers.
If you want to renovate your property or sell house fast, you may need to rewire your property. Ensure your electrical installations comply with IET Wiring Regulations. If you want to extend your property or convert your attic or garage, you need to ensure your new wiring conforms to the current Building Regulations. In addition, you need to update your existing electrical installation to safely handle the extra load.
What Are the Warning Signs?
If you have not inspected the wiring in your old home for several years, you may need to hire a registered electrician to inspect your wiring and rewire your home. The signs your home needs wiring include; exposed or damaged cables and wires, frequent dimming or flickering of lights, slight shocks from your switches, and your circuit breakers tripping regularly.
If you see one of these signs in your home, contact an electrician immediately to inspect and fix your wiring. The electrician can tell the source of the problem and the cost of fixing the problem.
How Much Does It Cost to Rewire a Property?
It costs thousands of pounds to rewire a small property. It, however, costs more money to rewire a bigger property. If your current cabling is sound and can carry extra loads, you may not need to do a full rewire. You may just need to add a modern consumer unit to update your older installation.
It costs around 350 pounds to fit, test, and certify new consumer units. If you replace your old fuse box with a modern consumer unit, you may need to upgrade the earth bonding your installation.
Electricians work at a fixed price. They can charge you based on how long they will take to complete the electrical work. You can agree on rates for every additional light fitting, switch, or power point.
What Are the Other Issues to Consider?
If you rewire your home, it can cause disruption. It is best to vacate your home before the electrician begins the work. Pull your floorboards and floor coverings. If you decide to rewire your home, then you need to rewire your home and install your plumbing and HVAC system before any decoration and plastering.
You must consider your needs before installing your sockets and switches. Install sufficient sockets and switches to meet your needs.
Electricity in Wet Areas
The risk of electrocution is very high in wet areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and even swimming pools. Adhere to the special restrictions for electricity in wet areas. For instance, you need to position your shaver sockets away from the splash area of your shower. Also, you need to have other sockets in your bathroom. It is safe to have pull-cord switches in your bathrooms.
If you use electrical appliances in damp areas, like light fittings and ventilation, then ensure your electrical appliances have Ingress Protection (IP). Ingress Protection is mechanical and moisture protection.
Can I Do the Rewiring Work Myself?
Do not do the rewiring work yourself if you are not qualified to do the work. Do not even hire an amateur to rewire your home. It is imperative to hire a qualified electrician to do the rewiring work. Hiring a qualified electrician can protect you and your family.
Poorly done electrical work can lead to electrical shocks or electrical fires. It can put your life and the life of your loved ones at risk. In addition, the insurance company can deny your insurance claim. It can even make it difficult to sell your house. Buyers inspect the wiring before purchasing the property.
It is not illegal to do DIY electrical work. However, the law regulates electrical work under “Part P” of Building Regulations. It classifies the building into notifiable and non-notifiable. If you need to do major work in the high risk areas in your home, you may need to notify the building control department of your local department. Do not rush to do DIY electrical work before consulting an electrician.
It is best to hire a registered electrician to do rewiring in your home. Hiring an electrician can protect you and your family from electrical shocks. If you, however, decide to DIY electrical work, then you have to submit a building notice to your local authority before you begin the work. The local authority inspectors check your work to ensure it adheres to the Building Regulations.