Alternative to ugly cable trunking?

HalfPint

thanks everyone for the input. Of course I'd love to have the job done right and all the wiring etc channeled in but I cannot afford it unfortunately. I'm trying to do the next best thing with the small pot of money I do have.

Mart, that was exactly the other idea Mr H came up with. It would be a lot of work to do and it doesn't bother me that the room would be a bit smaller in the slightest (it is a very large room!)

Mr H thought about buying one of these 'channeling' machines' but they are quite pricey and would use up all of the money i have for this project.

I guess there is no easy answer to this one:( I'll try and upload some pics to show you what we have to deal with.

Ideally the house needs a complete going over (new kitchen, bathroom, CH system etc etc) but we just cant do it and the cost of doing it all won't be recouped when we come to sell it (though I realise it will make it a lot easier to sell!)

HP X

lstar337

HalfPint wrote: »

Mr H thought about buying one of these 'channeling' machines' but they are quite pricey and would use up all of the money i have for this project.

Is it not something you could hire?

A quick Google says £18/day.

http://www.nationaltoolhireshops.co.uk/product/wall-chaser-for-hire/

I_have_spoken

one of these 'channeling' machines'

On block work they will produce an absolutely incredible amount of dust and grit which will be a 'mare to clean.

I'm still puzzled by a house where all the 1st fix wiring has just been attached to the walls...

Idiophreak

I_have_spoken wrote: »

I'm still puzzled by a house where all the 1st fix wiring has just been attached to the walls...

It's a flat...may have been a quick/cheap conversion?

LEJC

OP...you say your budget is small...but could you put a figure on it?

I just wonder that by going to the expense of covering up what you have,could you not think about putting the work right.

If you have some reasonable diy skills perhaps you could do the chasing for the wiring and then just pay a plasterer to skim afterwards over the affected areas before redecoration.

In the long term if you are looking to sell then its far better to get the wiring sunk than to cover it up or try to disguise it.

What are the other electrics like in the house?...dont assume that you wont recoup the money that you spend when you come to sell...people will be happy to spend if things like electrics are up to date.

keystone

To be absolutely honest I think that anyone contemplating chasing concrete needs their bumps feeling.

OP could we have some pics? Please, please, pretty please?

Cheers

keystone

HalfPint wrote: »

Mr H thought about buying one of these 'channeling' machines' but they are quite pricey and would use up all of the money i have for this project.

An OTS one for concrete???????

lstar337 wrote: »

Is it not something you could hire? A quick Google says £18/day.

That machine will be fine for brick or blockwork but OP has concrete to consider. To chase concrete you would need to engage the services of a properly equipped diamond cutting company. Thats why the quote the OP has is expensive. You'd absolutely wreck that bit of kit in about 30 milliseconds.

Cheers

southcoastrgi

Mine you can attach a hoover to but it's still as dusty as ....

mart.vader

HalfPint wrote: »

thanks everyone for the input.
I guess there is no easy answer to this one:(

Hi HP,

Just another suggestion.

What about concealed lighting coving round the ceiling ? To cover the trunking ?

Something like this > http://www.decorative-coving.co.uk/products.php?cat_id=&subcat_id=4&p_view=all

That stuff is not at all cheap, but with a bit of ingenuity you could use more standard cheaper coving.

This is the look that I think you might get > http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.avforums.com/forums/attachments/home-cinema-building-diy/283318d1325266070-coving-lighting-automation-img_3707.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-building-diy/1566450-coving-lighting-automation.html&h=960&w=1280&sz=46&tbnid=8RqNO4QnFEXtQM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=120&zoom=1&usg=__Kgb12QhNAG5EQ_ze27M_TJzGmgI=&docid=mWJFxnlG17RzVM&sa=X&ei=G6_zUfiuHsKM0AXt04H4Cw&sqi=2&ved=0CFMQ9QEwAQ&dur=1029#imgdii=_

As for the trunking to your wall switches, only thing I can think of is using a space inside the door lining (suitably protected) to make the channelling in concrete as short as possible.