Are you wondering whether or not to undertake the mammoth task of rewiring your house? Rewiring a home is a tremendous job involving disruption and expense, so it’s important that you weigh up all of your options before taking on such an immense project.
In this blog post, we will provide insight into when a house rewire is essential so that you can find the best solution for your electrical wiring needs. We’ll cover topics including standards of safety, insurance requirements, major upgrades and more! Read on to find out if a rewire could be right for your home.
Overview of House Rewiring – What is it and Why is it Necessary
Rewiring a house can seem like an intimidating task, so it’s essential to understand when and why a house rewire is necessary. In the most general terms, house rewiring involves replacing or upgrading existing electrical wiring.
This is necessary if the current wiring is faulty and unsafe or if you need to place an increased load on your circuits. This could be through things like adding an extension to your home. The demands we place on our circuits are much higher than in the past. This is down to our modern-day appliances and gadgets.
Older wiring can become unsafe, as over time, things like the insulation degrade, which can lead to dangers such as shorts and shocks. As technology progresses, wiring regulations change, so it’s important that your home is kept up to date with these standards to ensure your family’s safety.
In addition, both insurers and mortgage lenders may require a house rewire in order for them to accept it as a suitable property. This is because old wiring can present a greater fire risk, which is something that insurers and mortgage lenders need to protect themselves against.
It’s worth noting that some electrical systems may not require a full rewire. This includes things like adding additional sockets and switches or installing an electric shower. An electrician will be able to check the state of the current wiring and advise on whether these can be added safely without needing a full rewire.
If you are planning on renovating an older property or putting it on the market, you should consider having its wiring checked out by an experienced electrician to make sure that everything is safe.
Signs that it’s Time to Rewire Your Home – What are the Warning Signs that a Rewire is Needed
Knowing when rewiring your home is necessary is important – it can be costly, time-consuming and destructive, but it may be essential to keep your family safe. The warning signs that it could be time to rewire your home include:
- Electrical shocks or tingles from light switches or electronic devices,
- Fuses blowing regularly, scorch marks on outlets or switches,
- A burning or fishy smell near outlets or switches,
- Flickering lights,
- Older wiring (over 25-30 years), or
- Lack of grounding outlets.
When Should I Rewire My House?
Several factors can determine whether or not a house rewire is necessary. You should have an electrician inspect your home to determine the condition of your wiring. You may be able to identify certain signs that indicate an inspection by an electrician is due.
Some tell-tale signs of outdated wiring are:
- Outdated fuse boxes with ceramic fuses
- The presence of knob and tube wiring
- Plastic-sheathed cables with wires in rigid conduit
- Loose wires at junction boxes
If you have recently purchased a property, it’s important to check if the wiring has been updated to meet current regulations.
It’s also important to get an electrician to assess whether you require a house rewire if you are planning any major renovations, such as an extension or conversions. You may require additional circuits, which will need to be correctly installed and tested by a qualified electrician. Most insurance companies require that your wiring is kept up to date in order for them to provide coverage.
Rewiring can also improve energy efficiency by taking advantage of modern technology, including dimmable lighting & motion sensors, energy-saving switches etc., that are becoming more commonplace. Ultimately, the upkeep of the wiring in your property is essential in ensuring the safety and efficiency of your home, making the cost and disruption worthwhile in the end.
Benefits of a House Rewire – Advantages of Completing a House Rewire
One of the benefits of undertaking a house rewire is that it can drastically help to reduce potential safety risks in the house. Safety risks such as outdated electrical wiring, fire hazards and improper wiring can all be prevented or reduced by undergoing a house rewire.
Additionally, rewiring allows for new technology integration into the house, which can increase convenience and efficiency. This includes device automation, certain “smart” appliances and other new technologies.
It could also potentially increase the value of a property if your house is listed for sale.
Cost and Time Estimates for House Rewiring in London – Financial and Time Considerations when Rewiring Your Home
A rewire is a labour-intensive task, which is best carried out while a property is vacant and empty. As such, it can be both costly and disruptive to existing occupants or tenants. There will be a loss of power, and belongings being moved will add to the time needed to complete the job. The cost of a full rewire will vary throughout the UK; as a London-based electrician, we have based our costings on the local area.
On average, a full house rewire in London will take between five to seven days. This can vary greatly depending on the size and layout of the property. The number of circuits required and the existing condition of any existing wiring will also affect the length of time needed for completion.
The cost of a rewire on an empty property is typically around £2,500-£6,000, but this can vary depending on the size and type of the property. As we mentioned above, this will rise considerably if the property is occupied or full of belongings.
What Happens During a Rewire?
When an electrician rewires a property, they have to follow. This will mean they need to gain access to the wiring behind walls and ceilings, so they will need to first remove the covers and decorations.
They then replace the old wiring with new insulated cables, which run along skirting boards or through cavities in walls. New junction boxes are installed to connect cables together, and a new consumer unit is fitted at the point of entry. All wires are checked for insulation, continuity and earth. Finally, all wiring is tested to make sure it meets current regulations.
When considering the house rewire cost and associated time estimates, it’s important to factor in what you may be getting out of a new system. Rewiring your house has so many possible benefits: higher safety standards, increased house value, energy savings, etc.
Additionally, when house rewires are carried out professionally, and with quality materials, homeowners can rest assured that their property will be protected against potential electrical fires. Of course, all this will come with a hefty cost – especially in London – but with proper diligence and research into expert contractors, it doesn’t have to be a huge financial burden. The peace of mind alone could make house rewiring an invaluable investment in the long run.
Finding The Right Electrician For Your Rewire Job – How to Find an Experienced Electrician who you can Trust with your Home Wiring Job
When it comes to rewiring a house, finding the right electrician can be daunting. An experienced and trustworthy contractor is essential to ensure that all wiring jobs are finished safely and properly. Make sure to check that they have the necessary licensing and certifications, as well as up-to-date insurance documents.
Check online reviews and find out what services the company provide – an experienced electrician will be able to recognise potential problems before they occur. Once you have found someone who is reliable, make sure you get an estimate before work begins, as rewires can ultimately become costly. Investing in the right electrician for your job will save your home from any unnecessarily destructive processes or headaches down the line.
You may want to approach more than one electrician to get their opinion and pricing before carrying out any work. If you feel that you need your home rewiring in London, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for a quote. When it comes to making sure your home wiring system is safe and reliable, working with a qualified expert is always going to be your best option.
