Rewire or not?

cam101

Evening, would be grateful for opinions...


We are buying a house built c.1970. It appears to still have original wiring.


We thought it needed a full rewire and were prepared to pay for it when we offered on the house. However... we had a local electrician in for a quote today and he said it all looked sound (earthed in each socket he checked) and therefore he recommended a new fuse board and all new sockets/fascia plates but said it didn't seem to need a full rewire.


Research online had told me after 25-30 years a property needs rewiring.


Is the electrician likely to be right? We hope to be in the house for 10 years so I'm a bit worried that it would be short sighted not to rewire.


Opinions/experiences very warmly received :-)

sparkieguy

If he fits a new cu then all the installation will be tested. This will highlight any problems if you have any.
It could well be fine.

If you feel you'd like it brought up to date then get him to quote.

At least you know he's honest

phill99

Remember it's the electrician that has to sign the Certificate off once he puts the consumer unit in. He has to be satisfied that the installation is safe as he will be the one who has the potential to be dragged through the courts should anything go wrong.

Providing that the sheathing is in PVC and not rubber, that it's earthed and the water and gas supplies are bonded, then an upgrade from a fuse box to a modern consumer unit with RCD protection is sufficient.

macman

It doesn't 'need' rewiring after 25-30 years unless the condition has deteriorated.
But the provision of sockets will be inadequate by modern standards.

Ectophile

If it was built around 1970, then the wiring will be PVC insulated. Provided it's not been overloaded or chewed by rodents, PVC will last pretty much forever.

The only reason for a complete re-wire would be if the wiring has been damaged, or if it's been mucked about with so much that it needs to be re-done properly.